Beets (garden, fodder, and sugar varieties) are root vegetables known for their high concentration of water and water-soluble carbohydrates, primarily sucrose. This composition makes the entire plant—from the leafy greens to the swollen root—a highly attractive source of energy and hydration for a wide variety of animal life. The high sugar content, which can reach over 65% of the dry matter in the roots, serves as a significant lure for animals seeking a palatable, easily digestible food source.
Invertebrate and Small Rodent Pests
The smallest consumers of beet crops are often the cause of the most significant damage in gardens and fields. Tiny flea beetles create characteristic “shot-hole” patterns on young leaves as they feed, which can severely stunt the growth of seedlings. Other insects, such as cutworms, are nocturnal larvae that target the plant at the soil line, often severing the stem of a young beet plant completely.
Pests like leafminers chew winding, maze-like tunnels directly within the beet leaves, reducing the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Below the soil, damage is caused by small rodents and subterranean insects. Voles and mice burrow to access the root, leaving irregular gnaw marks, while wireworms (the larval stage of click beetles) tunnel through the root structure.
Wild Mammals That Target Beet Crops
Larger wild mammals readily forage on beets, especially in agricultural areas where the plants are abundant. White-tailed deer consume sugar beets, seeking them out for their high energy content, often preferring the leafy greens before moving on to the root. They may also uproot smaller beet plants entirely while grazing on the foliage.
Rabbits, including species like the European hare, are attracted to both garden and sugar beets, particularly during the colder months when other forage is scarce. They preferentially eat the tender leaf material, leaving behind the tougher central veins and stems.
Safety and Consumption for Domestic Animals
Beets are a valuable part of the diet for many domestic animals, though they are fed in a controlled manner. In livestock production, sugar beet pulp—the fibrous residue left after sugar extraction—is commonly used as a highly digestible fiber and energy source for cattle, pigs, and sheep. Whole sugar beets can be included in cattle diets up to about 30% of the total dry matter ration, providing a valuable energy boost.
For pets, beets are non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, making them safe for occasional feeding. However, preparation is necessary to mitigate risks; raw beets are dense and can pose a choking hazard for dogs, so they should be cooked or finely grated before serving. The natural sugar and oxalate content requires that beets be limited to a small portion of the animal’s overall diet to prevent issues like gastrointestinal upset or the formation of urinary stones.