Green: safe
Yes, dogs can eat beetroot. The ASPCA lists Beta vulgaris, which includes beetroot, chard and sugar beet, as non-toxic to dogs.
Why beetroot is fine
According to PetMD, beetroot is found in many commercial dog foods and provides fibre, folic acid and minerals. The vet who wrote the PetMD article still recommends limiting the amount: the root is acidic and can irritate the stomach, and it also contains sugar. The ASPCA notes that large, older leaves contain oxalic acid. As a snack in small amounts, however, beetroot is fine.
What to watch for
- Peel and cut: Wash thoroughly, peel and cut into small pieces. Most dogs tolerate it better cooked, although finely grated raw beetroot is also an option.
- Leave out the leaves: The large leaves contain oxalic acid.
- Avoid with urinary stones: According to VCA, dogs with calcium oxalate stones should not have oxalate-rich foods such as beetroot. PetMD gives the same advice.
- Keep it small: A few cubes are enough; any beetroot counts towards the daily food allowance.
What if stools or urine suddenly turn red?
Do not panic. According to PetMD, beetroot can turn stools, urine and even the skin noticeably pink. This is the pigment and will pass. If you are unsure whether it is pigment or blood, or your dog seems weak, call your vet and explain what your dog has eaten. After diarrhoea following a large serving, making the next meal smaller usually helps.
If you suspect poisoning, take your dog to a vet or an emergency veterinary service immediately.
Snacks count towards the daily food allowance. Our free food calculator works out how much your dog needs, and you can find a complete feeding plan with guidelines for treats in our book “Hundeernährung und Futterplan” (book in German). New to life with a puppy? Our free Puppy Starter Pack can help. And if you would love to see your dog on your living room wall, explore our dog portraits from your own photo, available as a framed portrait or digital file.
Further reading
- Calculating your dog’s food allowance: how much your dog really needs
- An older dog, new rules: giving your senior their best years
- Is my dog overweight? How to check body shape and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Beets (Beta vulgaris), Non-Toxic to Dogs; PetMD, Can Dogs Eat Beets? (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM); VCA Animal Hospitals, Calcium Oxalate Bladder Stones in Dogs.
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