Whenever we try to improve our blood flow, blood pressure, and bodily functions, beets are always in our diet. As caring guardians, we would like to offer these health benefits to our dogs too. But can dogs have beets?
Luckily, dogs can enjoy the nutrients of beets like us. As they are mammals, they may not get the same benefits as we do. If you want your paw friend to get health benefits from beets, keep the quantity low and offer them in the right way.
Anyway, dogs should eat this veggie, despite some safety concerns. This article will tell you everything about this concept.
Can Dogs Have Beets?
Beets, also known as beetroots, are one of the healthiest foods we humans prefer. The chock-full of nutrients in them is not only going to benefit us but also dogs. You may consider adding this veggie to your dog’s meal. The nutrients in beets, like vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, etc., can save your dogs from many diseases.
Since beet is a human food, you should not make it a primary food for your dog. Always keep the amount moderate, and feed him occasionally. Well, you may offer beet to your canine friend in raw, canned, or puree form. Besides, beet juice and mashed beets are also favourites of some dogs.
Do not offer a beet to your dog, which is added with salt and other ingredients. For instance, the beet pickle is dangerous for dogs as it contains lots of spices. In the same way, you should not add anything to the beet puree, juice, or pieces.
Benefits Of Having Beets For Dogs
Beets can be a great addition to your dog’s diet if you feed them in the right quantity. For instance, 100 grams of beet contains 16 milligrams of calcium, 8 milligrams of iron, and 2.8 grams of fibre. Calcium can promote your dog’s bone health, iron can promote the haemoglobin level, and fibre will take care of the digestive health.
Beets also contain vitamin C, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, carbohydrate, and zinc. Vitamin C helps with cell growth, and potassium aids in normal blood pressure. Again, phosphorus regulates the hormonal balance, and magnesium makes the muscles healthy. Meanwhile, zinc will make wound healing faster, and carbohydrates will provide energy.
Whether it is about boosting the immune system, digestive system, or coat, beetroot is the saviour of everything.
Although offering the beet’s peel is not preferable for dogs, it contains many nutrients too. Such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The antioxidant properties will keep your dog away from free radicals, and the anti-inflammatory properties will keep chronic issues at bay. You may try offering the peel as well as the best by making them pure or mashed, but only if your vet approves it.
Risks Of Having Beets For Dogs
Beets can only be risky to your dog when he eats them more than required or not in the proper way. For example, beets contain oxalic acid, which is not good for a dog’s health. High amounts of oxalic acid can lead to kidney stones, bladder stones, and so on.
Beets are also high in carbohydrates and sugar. Meanwhile, dogs should rely on protein, not carbs, which are already sufficient in their dog food. Hence, eating too many beets can make them ingest too many carbs. This can result in weight gain or obesity. Besides, the fats in sugar can inflame the pancreas of dogs, resulting in pancreatitis. The initial symptoms could be gas bloating and diarrhoea.
Another risk associated with beetroots is choking hazards and intestinal blockage. This usually occurs when we offer large pieces of beets to dogs. Moreover, offering beets with their peel can cause the same issue.
How To Offer Beets To Dogs?
Before you offer beetroots to dogs, make sure they are fresh and organic. Also, you need to wash them before use to avoid any sort of bacteria or pesticides.
Next, peel the beet and make small, bite-sized pieces of it. As said earlier, beats can pose choking hazards to dogs, so keep the size ⅛ inch. Another way to avoid choking hazards is to make the beet mash or puree. This will be more consumable for dogs. However, to make a pure or mashed beet, you need to steam the pieces first. Don’t add any seasoning or salt to them.
You can add the small pieces of beet to your dog’s meal with other veggies. Another super way we already know is the mashed beet. If your dog prefers beetroot juice, that would be great.
Some canned beets are available on the market, which can also be good treats for dogs. Just make sure they don’t have any added salt or ingredients that are harmful to them. If everything seems fine, you can offer the beats to your dog in the same process as we described above.
How Many Beets Can Dogs Have?
Before deciding how many beets your dog can have, first, see if he can have them or not. You may try letting him eat one tiny piece of beet at first. If he eats it comfortably, you can offer another piece and introduce this veggie to him gradually.
Anyway, an extra small dog should not have more than 20 pounds of beet, and a small dog should not have more than 30 pounds. Again, for medium dogs, 50 pounds is the maximum amount, and for large dogs, it is 90 pounds. If your breed is extra large, he may go with a hundred pounds of beet.
When Can Dogs Have Beets?
Beets are indeed a healthy addition to dogs’ diets, but there are some exceptions. For example, beetroots are high in carbs. If your dog’s diet includes enough carbs, it is better to avoid beets for them. Also, they contain certain acids, which are not good for a dog dealing with an upset stomach. Oxalic acid can be harmful to a dog with kidney issues.
Beets are also high in fat, which is not good for an obese dog. The fibre amount is another danger for diarrhoea. So you can consider adding beet to your dog’s meal when he has a normal digestive system or is dealing with constipation.
Some dogs are allergic to fruits and vegetables. So make sure your dog is not allergic before offering him this veggie. Even if everything seems fine, your vet is going to decide whether you should let your dog eat beets or not.
Frequently Asked Questions: Can Dogs Have Beets?
Will beets help my dog poop?
Beets contain a sufficient amount of fibre that can help a dog with constipation. However, keep the quantity moderate, as high amounts of beet can worsen his condition.
Can dogs eat beets every day?
You should not offer a beet to your dog every day, as it is not dog food. Besides, keep the treat occasional, like 2 to 3 times a week.
Are beets good for dogs?
No doubt, beets are good for dogs, as they are chock full of nutrients. For example, vitamin C can offer them healthy skin and coats. Whereas magnesium can promote muscle health, calcium can promote bone health.
Can beetroot turn urine red in dogs?
Having beetroot can turn the urine and stool a bit reddish for dogs. There is nothing to worry about as this colourful veggie leaves its tint everywhere.
Final Thoughts
As beets can offer some health risks, we must think twice about whether Can dogs have beets. Well, the answer is yes. Dogs can eat beets in moderate quantities, if they are not allergic, and do not have an upset stomach, obesity or kidney stones. Most importantly, they can only eat this vegetable if their vets say so.
Don’t panic if your dog ever eats too many beets. Watch his symptoms first, tell your vet about them, and offer him the right medication. Also, try not to offer any fruit or vegetables to your dog for a couple of days.
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