Yes, cats can eat beetroot.
Beetroot is a purple-coloured root vegetable that’s low in calories, fat, and cholesterol. It goes by many names such as beets, red beet, table beet, dinner beet, garden beet, and golden beet. Aside from the roots that are eaten raw or cooked, its leaves are also edible. From steamed to pickled, beetroot can be prepared and enjoyed in various ways by humans.
A good source of nutrients, beetroot can be given to cats as it is non-toxic for them. It contains dietary fiber that helps with gastrointestinal health, and betalains that aid in reducing inflammation. However, ASPCA states that its large mature leaves may contain oxalic acid. When ingested, this poisonous crystalline acid can cause tremors, kidney failure, and coma.
How to feed beetroot to your cat: Consult with your veterinarian before adding beetroot to your pet’s diet. Make sure there won’t be any health conditions that would be triggered or aggravated by this root vegetable.
Only give beetroot that has been boiled or steamed in water, and sliced into bite-sized pieces. Start off with a very small piece and see how she reacts to it. Do not offer her beetroot that has been cooked with butter, oil, or seasonings as these may result in digestive and pancreatic issues.
Also, do not give her raw beets as they may be difficult to chew and swallow. Pickled beetroot should likewise be avoided as they are prepared with vinegar, sugar, and salt. Food high in salt can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, lethargy, incoordination, and excessive thirst or urination in cats.
In summary: Only five to 10% of your feline pet’s diet should be devoted to treats. Though beetroot is nutritious, limit serving it to her so she doesn’t gain unnecessary weight. After feeding, don’t panic if you see her stool turn reddish purple. This may be caused by the vegetable’s colour.
Aside from beetroot, learn which human foods you can safely feed your pet cat through our “can cats eat” blog category.
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