Can a dog eat beets?

Content

• Nutritional composition of beet
• Dog beets: benefits
• Can a dog with diabetes eat beets?
• Can Puppy Dog Eat Beetroot?
• How to prepare beets for dogs
• Beetroot changes the color of the dog's urine

The beet (Beta vulgaris) is an edible root that is part of the diet of several cultures, including the Brazilian one, and has been gaining more prestige as a food supplement for offering great content of vitamins, minerals, fibers and natural antioxidants.

With the growing awareness of the benefits of regular sugar beet consumption for human health, more and more tutors are also asking themselves if dog can eat beets to take advantage of all these nutritional qualities. In this new PeritoAnimal article, we'll talk about the benefits and precautions of giving beets to dogs.

Nutritional composition of beet

To find out if dog can eat beetsFirst you need to know the nutritional properties of this food. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 100 grams of raw beets have the following nutrients:

• Total Energy/Calories: 43kcal;
• Proteins: 1.6g;
• Total Fats: 0.17g;
• Carbohydrates: 9.56g;
• Fibers: 2.8g;
• Sugars: 6.76g;
• Water: 87.5g;
• Calcium: 16mg;
• Iron: 0.8mg;
• Phosphorus: 40mg;
• Magnesium: 26mg;
• Potassium: 325mg;
• Sodium: 78mg;
• Zinc: 0.75mg;
• Vitamin A: 2mg;
• Vitamin B2: 0.04mg;
• Vitamin B3: 0.33mg;
• Vitamin B6: 0.07mg;
• Folate (Vitamin B9): 109µg
• Vitamin C: 4.9mg;
• Vitamin E: 0.04mg;
• Vitamin K: 0.2µg.

As it is possible to identify in the nutritional table above, the beets have vitamins and minerals that help to strengthen the immune system and prevent most common dog diseases. In addition, it is rich in vitamin A and beta-carotenes, which are great allies for good vision and healthy skin in dogs, helping to combat dermatological problems such as canine allergies and dermatitis.

The important content of iron and folate (vitamin B9) makes sugar beet a great food supplement for dogs with anemia and for puppies, since these nutrients are essential for the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells, as well as for the correct oxygenation of all tissues and organs of the canine organism.

Beetroot also offers a high concentration of natural antioxidants, such as vitamin C and lipocarotenes, which fight the action of free radicals in the dog's body and the cell damage that results from it. This antioxidant effect is especially beneficial for older dogs, as they collaborate with the prevention of old age symptoms and help maintain a stable metabolism.

It is also important to highlight the contribution of fiber and water that this vegetable offers to the dog's diet, favoring intestinal transit and preventing cases of indigestion and constipation. The amount of liquid present in beets also helps to keep the furry well hydrated, avoiding urinary problems, and has a depurative effect, contributing to the elimination of toxins from the canine organism.

Dog beets: benefits

Beetroot is not one of the prohibited foods for dogs and, in addition, it has nutrients that help strengthen the furry's immune system, helping to prevent several common diseases in dogs. However, it is important to have some precautions when offering beets to dogs, as an excess could harm your best friend's well-being.

First, you need to consider that vegetables, legumes and fruits should not be the basis of the diet of puppies, as they do not have all the essential nutrients that the canine organism needs. Although dogs are carnivores and can digest various types of food, they need to consume a good concentration of protein and fatty acids (the famous 'good fats').

Meat remains the most biologically appropriate source of these essential nutrients and should be present in the dog's diet. Soon, it is not suitable to offer only beets and other vegetables to your hairy, as this could cause nutritional deficits and increase the risk of complex conditions such as anemia.

In addition, it is essential to know that the beetroot is rich in oxalates, which are mineral compounds that, when consumed excessively, tend to accumulate in the urinary tract of dogs, which can cause the formation of stones or stones in the kidneys or bladder. As it is also rich in fiber, beets could cause diarrhea or stomach upset in hairy ones. Therefore, it is essential that dogs consume beetroot sparingly, only as a snack or snack Natural.

Can a dog with diabetes eat beets?

Now that you know that dog can eat beets, you may be wondering if a dog with diabetes can eat beets. Before offering beets to dogs with diabetes, another thing you need to know is that this vegetable has a relatively high sugar content, although it has few calories and fat. Even though natural sugar is not harmful like refined sugar, excessive or unbalanced consumption could end up raising the blood glucose level in dogs.

Therefore, dogs with diabetes can eat beets, but always in very small portions and occasionally.

Can Puppy Dog Eat Beetroot?

Many tutors ask themselves if puppies can eat beets and the answer is: yes, but in great moderation and only when they have already weaned and can start to taste solid foods. If this is the first time you will feed beets to a puppy, it is ideal to offer a very small piece and wait and see the reaction of the puppy's organism. This way, you guarantee that this vegetable will not harm your best friend.

Regardless of your dog's age, a great idea is to use beets as a positive reinforcement during training classes, to reward effort and encourage your dog to quickly assimilate basic training commands. canine obedience, tasks and tricks.

How to prepare beets for dogs

Now that you know that a dog can eat beetroot and that it can be a great nutritional supply, you need to understand how to prepare this vegetable for your best friend. Just like us, dog can eat raw or cooked beets and you can find out how your pet prefers to eat this vegetable.

To take advantage of 100% of the nutrients in beetroot, the ideal would be to offer it raw and grated to your dog. However, you can also cook the beetroot in unsalted water or cut it very thin and put it in the oven to prepare some snacks healthy. It is also possible to incorporate beets into various homemade recipes, such as biscuits or dog cakes.

The ideal is always consult a veterinarian before starting to incorporate beets into your dog's nutrition. The professional will help you to find out if this vegetable is suitable for your best friend's body and to verify which is the best form and the correct amount to take advantage of all the nutritional properties of dog beets.

Beetroot changes the color of the dog's urine

Yes, beetroot has natural dyes that can change the color of the dog's urine and feces, especially if it is consumed regularly. Don't be scared if your puppy eats beets and does poop or pee a little reddish or pinkish.

However, if you notice other changes in consistency, color, odor or presence of blood in feces or in your puppy's urine, we recommend taking him to the vet immediately. In addition, you can see more information about dog feces types and their meanings in this PeritoAnimal article.

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