Can cats eat beets?

Conditional: small amounts of cooked beetroot are safe for most healthy cats but offer little nutritional benefit and may raise oxalate and sugar concerns for cats with urinary disease or diabetes.

Quick Safety Summary

Safety verdict: CONDITIONAL — Cooked beetroot (not pickled or raw greens) can be fed to healthy adult cats in very small amounts occasionally, but it offers limited nutritional benefit and may worsen urinary stone risk (oxalates) or add unnecessary sugar/calories. Avoid for cats with FLUTD, a history of calcium oxalate stones, kidney disease, obesity or diabetes.

CONDITIONAL — Cats can eat small amounts of cooked beets, but only rarely and only if your cat is healthy and on a balanced meat-based diet. Beets are not toxic to cats, but they are high in sugar and oxalates and provide little of the specific nutrients cats require as obligate carnivores.

Why beets are not a great regular food for cats

Cats evolved to eat animal tissues, not plants. Their nutritional needs (taurine, arachidonic acid, vitamin A, etc.) are met almost exclusively from meat. Beets (Beta vulgaris) are a root vegetable that contain vitamins, fiber and phytonutrients useful for humans, but they do not provide essential feline nutrients in meaningful amounts.

Nutritional profile (per 100 g raw beetroot) [typical values]:

• Calories: ~43 kcal
• Protein: 1.6 g
• Total carbohydrate: 9.6 g (sugars ~6.8 g)
• Fiber: 2.8 g
• Fat: 0.2 g
• Potassium: ~325 mg
• Folate: ~100–110 µg
• Vitamin C: ~4.9 mg

A typical adult cat needs roughly 200–300 kcal/day (varies by size, age, activity). Even a small serving of beet contributes mostly carbohydrates and sugars — nutrients cats don’t require in large amounts. That makes beets an occasional treat at best, not a health food for felines.

Key safety concerns

Oxalates and urinary health

Beets contain soluble oxalates. In susceptible animals, high dietary oxalate can contribute to calcium oxalate urolith formation (stones) or increase urinary oxalate levels. Cats already prone to feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) or with a history of calcium oxalate stones should avoid oxalate-rich foods, including beetroot and especially beet greens (which have even more oxalate). See Merck Veterinary Manual for feline urolithiasis guidance (Merck Vet Manual) [link below].

Sugar and calories

Beets are relatively sweet. Repeated feeding can add simple carbohydrates and calories that contribute to weight gain and destabilize diabetic cats. Avoid beets for overweight or diabetic cats.

Beet greens and pickled beets

Do NOT feed beet greens (the leafy tops) or pickled beets. Greens are high in oxalates and may be contaminated with pesticides; pickled beets contain added salt, spices, sugar and vinegar that can be harmful or upsetting to cats.

Color changes and minor side effects

Beets contain betalain pigments and may temporarily color stool or urine pink/red (harmless but alarming). Small digestive upset (vomiting or diarrhea) can occur if a cat eats a new plant food.

Cooked only — how to prepare

If you choose to give beet as an occasional treat:

• Use plain, cooked beetroot (boiled, steamed or roasted) with no added salt, oil, sugar, garlic or onion. Avoid pickled or canned beets with additives.
• Remove and discard the greens. Only the root is suitable in small amounts.
• Serve pureed or finely diced to reduce choking and make it easier to digest.

Suggested serving sizes (practical guidance)

Keep portions very small. A reasonable guideline is to limit beets to no more than about 5% of daily caloric intake on an occasional basis.

• Small cat (3 kg / 6.6 lb): 1 teaspoon (≈5–8 g) cooked beet, once, no more than twice weekly.
• Average adult cat (4 kg / 8.8 lb): up to 1 tablespoon (≈15 g) cooked beet, once, no more than twice weekly.
• Large cat (6 kg / 13.2 lb): up to 2 tablespoons (≈30 g) cooked beet, once, no more than twice weekly.

Who should avoid beets entirely?

• Cats with a history of urinary stones (especially calcium oxalate stones)
• Cats with chronic kidney disease
• Diabetic cats or cats prone to weight gain/obesity
• Kittens, pregnant queens, or very elderly/fragile cats
• Cats with known food sensitivities or prior gastrointestinal reactions to vegetables

Toxicology and when to seek help

Beets themselves are classified as non-toxic to cats by major pet-poisoning resources (see ASPCA). However, signs of toxicity or adverse reaction can occur if a cat eats large amounts, the greens, or beet products with harmful additives (onion, garlic, large salt or sugar loads).

If your cat shows any of the following after eating beets, contact your veterinarian or poison control immediately:

• Repeated vomiting or profuse diarrhea
• Lethargy, collapse, or tremors
• Difficulty urinating or straining in the litterbox
• Signs of abdominal pain or severe distress

Bottom line

Cooked beetroot in very small quantities is not toxic to most cats, but it’s not necessary and brings limited benefit. The main risks are oxalates (urinary stones), added sugars/salt (pickled/canned versions), and unnecessary calories. For most pet owners, it’s safer to skip beets and stick with feline-formulated diets and veterinarian-approved treats.

Sources and further reading

• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Animal poison resources and phone line: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) — People foods to avoid feeding pets: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets
• Merck Veterinary Manual — Urolithiasis in cats: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/urinary-system/urolithiasis/overview-of-urolithiasis-in-cats
• USDA FoodData Central — Beetroot nutrient data

Key Takeaways

• CONDITIONAL: Small amounts of plain, cooked beetroot are safe for most healthy cats but offer little nutritional benefit.
• Avoid raw beets, beet greens, pickled or seasoned beets; these pose oxalate, salt, or toxic additive risks.
• Cats with urinary disease, kidney disease, diabetes, or obesity should not be given beets.
• Keep portions tiny (≈1 tsp–1 tbsp depending on cat size) and infrequent (≤2x/week), and always consult your veterinarian if you have concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions