The beetroot, beets, or table beet are commonly found as a side dish or in salads every day. This vegetable is considered to be super nutritious for the human body. But, what about dogs? Are beets as nutritious for dogs as they are for humans? If you have these questions in mind, then you have come to the right place! Read on to find out if your dog can safely consume beets.
Can dogs eat beets?
Yes, definitely!!! Beets are in fact an excellent source of essential nutrients for your dogs. Beets contain good amounts of potassium, fiber, vitamins, and folate, which is crucial for the overall health of your dog. However, the downside to this vegetable is the excess amount of phosphorus and calcium found in it. Therefore, make sure that the amount fed is kept in moderation and does not exceed the limit.
Beets are a healthy choice for your dogs, but along with the good stuff, some compounds are not good for your pet. Nevertheless, feeding beets occasionally to your pet will not harm you.
Benefits of feeding beets to dogs
Considered one of the healthiest vegetables in the world, incorporating beets in your dog’s diet will benefit her immensely. With the right amount of serving your pet is all set to gain a lot of benefits from it.
Some of the common health benefits associated with eating beets are:
Prevents diseases
Beets and beet leaves are rich sources of vitamins and antioxidants. These compounds help in keeping diseases far away from your pet. From cancer to urinary tract infections and other major illnesses, beets will keep your pet safe from these problems.
Great source of vitamins
Both beet leaves and beets are excellent sources of essential and rare vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin B1, B2, B3, B4, and B6. These vitamins aid in keeping your dog healthy and boost their metabolism. The abundance of vitamin C in beets is its biggest advantage. Since dogs cannot make their own vitamin C, incorporating a vitamin C-rich diet is more important. An adequate amount of vitamin C in the body will prevent your dogs from diseases such as scurvy or other vitamin-related deficiencies.
Healthy functioning of the body
dogs are sensitive animals with a more sensitive digestive system and other organs. Their diet must contain food items that will help in the healthy functioning of their bodies. Beets work great in such cases. The appropriate mix of nutrients and vitamins in beets makes it a healthy choice.
Anti-cancer properties
Beets contain betalains which are a group of antioxidants known for their anti-cancer properties. Though cancer is not a common disease seen in dogs, one cannot rule out the chances of tumor formations that can develop into cancer later on. Therefore, adding such vegetables can help in preventing any severe future health problems in dogs.
Health risks associated with feeding beets to dogs
Digestive problems
Beets are nutritious vegetables, but even in cases when fed moderately, it is known to cause certain discomforts like indigestion or other digestive issues. Some nutritive parts of the beet can lead to such problems. And in cases when beets are fed in large amounts, severe problems such as diarrhea and vomiting are seen. You have to be very careful when it comes to the serving size and the feeding frequency of your pet.
Toxic leaves
The leaves of beets are considered to be toxic and can make your dog seriously ill if consumed. The greens of beets are considered to be dangerous like the many veggie greens that are toxic to rodents such as dogs. They are listed as similar to other veggies such as turnip, onion, potato, etc. in terms of toxicity for dogs. It can cause problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Kidney stones
There is a high amount of calcium and phosphorus in beets. The presence of such compounds can cause the formation of kidney or bladder stones in dogs.
It is normal for the urine and stool of your dog to appear reddish in color after eating beets. You don’t have to worry if you notice such color changes.
Can dogs eat the beet tips or beet greens?
Eating the beet tips or beet greens won’t cause any immediate harm as such to dogs. But the number of greens should be very minimal. In fact, it is known that the beet greens and tops have more sources of minerals and vitamins as compared to the bulb itself. The only issue is the higher content of phosphorus and calcium present in it. Such high content will lead to stone formations and can cause severe pain and health complications in dogs. It is best to avoid giving these parts, but if you are very keen on feeding them or your dog just loves eating them, then you can give a maximum of a leaf or two once or twice a month.
Don’t make the mistake of exceeding this limit as it may be detrimental to their health.
Can dogs eat the stems of beets?
Yes, beet stems are safe to be consumed by dogs but should be given occasionally like a treat. While giving beet greens, you can also give small sizes of beet stems and let your dog enjoy the new taste. Beet stems contain high amounts of calcium and hence should be kept to a minimum in their diet.
How often should dogs eat beets?
Even though beets are nutritious and healthy for your dogs, regularly feeding beets is not a good idea. Ideally, beets should be fed once a week just to let your dog’s taste buds be refreshed. Regular feeding can lead to diarrhea, bloating, and vomiting in dogs, so why take the risk?
Conclusion
Beets are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, antioxidants and should definitely be added to your dog’s diet. They contain potassium, folate, and other minerals that are most needed by your pet. From beet greens to stalks, your dog can consume all, but the quantity should be kept to a minimum. The feeding frequency of beets should be just once a week, while the stalks and beet greens should be given once or maximum twice a month. The quantity of beet should not exceed a slice per serving. Excess amounts can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, kidney stones, and other health complications.