vegetable · Safe

Can cats eat beets?

Yes, in small amounts. Plain cooked beets are non-toxic to cats and fine as an occasional treat. They are earthy and a little sugary, and they can turn stool or urine reddish, which is harmless. Serve a small piece plain, and skip pickled or canned beets.

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Safe — cooked plain, small amountsFine as a small, plain treat

Can cats eat beets?

Yes, in small amounts. Plain cooked beets are non-toxic to cats and fine as an occasional treat. They are earthy and a little sugary, and they can turn stool or urine reddish, which is harmless. Serve a small piece plain, and skip pickled or canned beets.

Source-linked record · Last reviewed July 17, 2026 · Not veterinary advice

Why this answer

Beets contain no feline toxin and are mostly fiber, sugar, and water, harmless in small cooked amounts, though the pigment can tint stool or urine red, which alarms owners but is not dangerous. As a starchy, sugary root they give an obligate carnivore little, so beets stay a small, plain, occasional treat.

Watch for

  • Reddish stool or urine, which is harmless discoloration
  • Loose stool or gas after a larger serving

How much is okay

A small piece or spoonful of plain cooked beet, once a week or so, finely chopped.

Serve it safely

  • Cook beets until soft and serve plain, chopped small.
  • Skip pickled and canned beets, which are salty and vinegary.
  • Do not add salt, butter, or seasoning.
Sources and evidence notes (3)
  1. Feeding Your Cat Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — Feline nutrition fundamentals: cats are obligate carnivores; complete balanced cat food should be the diet base; treats should stay a small share of daily calories.
  2. Petfoodology Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University — Board-certified veterinary nutritionist guidance on pet diets, treat limits (about 10% of daily calories), human-food snacks, and species-appropriate feeding for cats and dogs.
  3. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Multi-species veterinary toxicology list covering alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, coconut, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, milk and dairy, nuts, onions, garlic and chives, raw meat and eggs, salty snacks, xylitol, and yeast dough.

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  • SafeFine as a small, plain treat
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