Beetroot
CautionFresh beets in small amounts are fine for most dogs, but beets are high in oxalic acid and are a poor choice for any dog that forms urinary stones. Skip pickled and salted canned beets, and expect red urine for a day.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Loose stool
- Abdominal pain
- Difficult or painful urination
- Blood in urine
- Weight gain
- Pancreatitis
More about this food
Beets are not toxic to dogs. AKC's answer is yes, when served fresh and in moderation. The conditions attached to that yes are what make beets a different proposition from carrots or cabbage.
Oxalic acid is the big one. AKC states that beets are high in oxalic acid, which can form bladder stones, urinary crystals and kidney stones, and advises consulting your vet if your dog has kidney issues or calcium deficiencies. For a dog with a history of calcium oxalate stones, or one already eating a therapeutic urinary diet, beets are not a portion-size question — they are simply the wrong food for that dog.
Sugar and calories come second. AKC notes that beets are high in sugar and carbohydrates, which could contribute to pancreatitis or obesity, so servings should stay small. Concentrated forms — beet juice, beet powder, beet chips — make that worse and are worth skipping entirely.
Then preparation. Fresh beets are the best option, raw or cooked, scrubbed, peeled and grated or cut into small pieces, and kept plain and unseasoned. If you use canned beets, AKC says to find a brand with no salt added and no other additives. Pickled beets sit in vinegar and salt, and borscht is simmered with onion; Merck reports clinical Allium signs in dogs from 15-30 g/kg of raw onion. Neither belongs in a dog bowl.
Urine color trips people up. AKC's line is worth memorizing: beets can turn your dog's urine red, so do not panic if your dog pees dark pink or red for the next 12 to 24 hours. If the color persists past that, or comes with straining, frequent small urinations or discomfort, that is worth a urinalysis rather than an assumption.
One clarification for anyone reading an ingredient panel: beet pulp is the fiber byproduct of sugar beets, and Merck reports that it provides good fecal quality in dogs without affecting other nutrient digestibility when included at 7.5% or less on a dry-matter basis. Beet pulp in a complete food is not something to worry about.
Start with a spoonful and watch stool and urine for two days. Ongoing diarrhea, vomiting, or straining to urinate means stop and call your veterinarian. Keep all treats under 10% of daily calories.
Frequently asked questions
- My dog's pee turned red after eating beets. Is that blood?
- Most likely it is beet pigment. AKC says dark pink or red urine for 12 to 24 hours after beets is expected. If it lasts beyond that, or comes with straining, whining or frequent small urinations, get a urinalysis to rule out blood and a urinary tract infection.
- My dog has had bladder stones. Can he have beets?
- No. AKC specifically flags beets as high in oxalic acid, which can form bladder stones, urinary crystals and kidney stones. A dog with a stone history or on a prescription urinary diet should not be eating them, in any amount.
- Raw or cooked?
- AKC says either works as long as the beets are fresh. Scrub and peel them, grate or chop them small, and keep them plain — no salt, sugar, butter or oil. If you buy canned, choose one with no added salt and no other additives.