Beets attract a remarkably wide range of animals, from tiny soil-dwelling worms and leaf-chewing caterpillars to deer, wild boar, and domestic livestock. They also show up, in processed form, in the diets of dogs, cats, horses, pigs, poultry, and even farmed fish. The list is long because beets are nutrient-dense, high in sugar, and packed with digestible fiber, which makes them appealing to creatures across the food chain. What differs across species is whether the beet-eating is welcome or destructive, and whether the beet is fed whole, processed into pulp, or simply raided from a garden bed.
Insect and Invertebrate Pests
For beet growers, the most economically damaging animals are often the smallest. The beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) is one of the most significant insect pests of sugar beet worldwide, causing serious yield losses by feeding on leaves and sometimes boring into the root crown.1Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology. Differential suitability of sugar beet cultivars for the beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua): Insights from life-table analysis Its larvae are voracious, and a heavy infestation can strip a field of foliage quickly enough to stunt root development. Other caterpillar species, including various cutworms and webworms, also target beet leaves and stems, though armyworms tend to dominate the pest conversation in sugar beet regions.
Below the soil surface, plant-parasitic nematodes quietly siphon nutrients from beet roots. Surveys of sugar beet fields in North Dakota and Minnesota found that roughly two-thirds to three-quarters of fields were positive for these microscopic roundworms, with multiple genera present simultaneously.2Crop Protection. Occurrence of plant-parasitic nematodes in sugarbeet fields of North Dakota and Minnesota The sugar beet cyst nematode (Heterodera) is especially problematic because it forms cysts on the roots that persist in soil for years. Other genera like Pratylenchus (lesion nematodes) and Paratrichodorus (stubby-root nematodes) cause different types of root damage, all of which reduce sugar yield.
Not every invertebrate feeding on beet material is a pest, though. Earthworms readily consume decaying beet residues left after harvest. When researchers tested common field species like Lumbricus terrestris with sugar beet mulch, the worms consumed and processed the material, producing nutrient-enriched casts compared to unamended soil.3European Journal of Soil Biology. Nutrient content of earthworm casts influenced by different mulch types The chemical composition of the beet residue influenced both the worms’ food preferences and the microbial communities that colonized the material. From a farmer’s perspective, earthworms breaking down beet crop residues is entirely beneficial, recycling nutrients back into the soil.
Wild Mammals That Raid Beet Fields
Deer are among the most visible wild mammals that eat beets. In lowland Britain, fallow deer, red deer, and roe deer account for the majority of agricultural crop damage, with each species implicated in different types depending on its feeding habits and where it lives relative to farmland.4Mammal Review. Impact of deer in lowland Britain on agriculture, forestry and conservation habitats Root vegetables like beets and turnips are attractive targets for deer, particularly in late autumn and winter when other food sources thin out. Deer pull up beet greens and gnaw exposed root tops, sometimes destroying entire rows along field edges. Home gardeners in deer-prone areas know this problem well: an unfenced beet patch is essentially a buffet.
Wild boar are even more destructive. Their diet in Western Europe centers on four major vegetable food categories: mast (like acorns and beechnuts), roots, green plant matter, and agricultural crops. Their large body size and habit of trampling crops as well as eating them amplifies the damage significantly.5Mammal Review. Diet of wild boar Sus scrofa in Western Europe, with particular reference to consumption of agricultural crops Wild boar root through soil with powerful snouts, making them particularly effective at finding and destroying underground beet roots. A single sounder of boar can devastate a beet field overnight, and the rooting behavior churns up far more area than the animals actually eat.
Voles are a subtler but persistent threat. European field voles of the genus Pitymys cause irregular but sometimes intense damage to agricultural and horticultural crops, with the southern European species group savii responsible for the most serious losses.6EPPO Bulletin. European Field Voles of the Genus Pitymys McMurtrie and their Damage in Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Voles gnaw on beet roots from below, often leaving the plant looking fine aboveground while the root is hollowed out underground. Rabbits and groundhogs round out the list of common garden-scale beet raiders, targeting both the leafy tops and the exposed shoulders of the root.
Dairy Cattle and Sheep
The largest-scale intentional feeding of beets to animals happens in the dairy and sheep industries, mostly in the form of beet pulp, which is the fibrous material left after sugar is extracted from sugar beets. Beet pulp has become a standard feed ingredient because its fiber is highly fermentable, meaning rumen microbes break it down efficiently into volatile fatty acids that the animal uses for energy and milk production.
When dairy cows were fed diets where beet pulp partially replaced high-moisture corn, fiber digestibility increased without reducing starch digestibility, and overall digestibility of organic matter improved.7PubMed. Pelleted beet pulp substituted for high-moisture corn: 2. Effects on digestion and ruminal digestion kinetics in lactating dairy cows The fiber in beet pulp was digested more completely and at a faster rate in the rumen compared to other fiber sources. A separate study found that replacing a portion of conventional concentrate with dried sugar beet pulp increased fiber digestibility and boosted total volatile fatty acid concentrations in the rumen, which is a sign of active, healthy fermentation.8PubMed Central. Impact of Dry Sugar Beet Pulp on Milk Production, Digestibility Traits, and Blood Constituents of Dairy Holstein Cows
Sheep digest beets and beet pulp similarly well. Digestibility trials comparing conventional and genetically modified (glyphosate-tolerant) sugar beet, fodder beet, and beet pulp in sheep found no differences in the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, protein, fiber fractions, or digestible energy between the two types.9Journal of Animal Science. Nutrient digestibility in sheep fed diets containing Roundup Ready or conventional fodder beet, sugar beet, and beet pulp The feeding values were equivalent, which is relevant for farmers sourcing beet pulp from different supply chains. Whole fodder beets (a variety bred for animal feed rather than sugar extraction) are also commonly fed to sheep and cattle in northern Europe, sliced or pulped to prevent choking.
Pigs and Beet Pulp
Pigs are omnivores that eat beets enthusiastically, and sugar beet pulp has been studied as a supplemental fiber source in pig diets. Adding about 3% sugar beet pulp to pig feed reduced average daily weight gain compared to a conventional diet, which is expected when fiber partially replaces more calorie-dense ingredients. However, the beet-pulp-fed pigs showed improved carcass quality, with a higher proportion of carcasses in the top grading classes.10PubMed Central. Influence of Sugar Beet Pulp Supplementation on Pigs’ Health and Production Quality The inclusion of beet pulp also increased desirable bacteria in the fecal microbial profile, suggesting a gut-health benefit. This trade-off between slightly slower growth and better meat quality is something commercial pork producers weigh depending on their market. Pigs raised on pasture or in smallholding settings often get whole beets as part of a mixed vegetable diet, which they consume root, leaf, and all.
Horses and the Beet Pulp Alternative
Beet pulp has become one of the most commonly recommended feed supplements for horses, particularly athletic or hard-working animals that need calorie-dense feed without the metabolic risks of high-starch grains. The soluble fiber in sugar beet pulp is readily fermented by the horse’s hindgut microbiota, and its gross energy content is comparable to cereals like barley and oats.11Animal Feed Science and Technology. Processing and soaking of sugar beet pulp changes the feeding behavior of horses The advantage over grain is that beet pulp delivers that energy without spiking blood sugar and insulin, which reduces the risk of hindgut acidosis, a painful and dangerous digestive condition common in grain-heavy diets.
How the beet pulp is prepared matters. Horses fed soaked beet pulp pellets chewed more intensively, ate more slowly, and spent more time at the feeder compared to those fed dry pellets.11Animal Feed Science and Technology. Processing and soaking of sugar beet pulp changes the feeding behavior of horses Slower intake and more thorough chewing are linked to better digestive outcomes and reduced risk of choke, which is why most equine nutritionists recommend soaking beet pulp before feeding. The soaked pellets also kept horses calmer in their stalls, reducing restless walking. For horse owners, beet pulp is a practical, inexpensive way to add safe calories, and it is especially useful for older horses with dental problems who struggle to chew hay or grain effectively.
Poultry and Egg Quality
Chickens eat beets readily, and researchers have tested dried beetroot as a feed additive for commercial laying hens. Adding 1% or 2% dried beetroot to the feed had no meaningful effect on the color or viscosity of egg yolk, which surprised some researchers who expected the vivid red pigments in beets (betalains) to carry over into the yolk.12Acta Veterinaria Brno. Colour and viscosity of egg yolk after addition of beetroot to feed for laying hens The betalain pigments apparently do not accumulate in egg yolk the way carotenoid pigments from marigold or paprika do.
Where beetroot supplementation does make a difference is in the nutritional profile of eggs. Hens fed a diet with 1% beetroot powder produced eggs with significantly lower total saturated fatty acids and higher omega-3 fatty acid content compared to control hens.13Veterinary and Animal Science. Dietary inclusion of beetroot (Beta vulgaris): Impacts on egg production, egg quality, and physiological status of commercial laying hens Specifically, palmitic acid (a saturated fat) dropped while linolenic acid (an omega-3) rose. This makes beetroot supplementation potentially interesting for producers marketing eggs with improved fatty acid profiles, even though the eggs do not look any different from the outside.
Farmed Fish
Beet pulp has also entered the world of aquaculture. In a feeding trial with tambaquÃ, a freshwater fish farmed widely in South America, researchers tested sugar beet pulp at inclusion levels ranging from 0 to 25% of the diet. The best growth performance appeared at around 10% inclusion, where daily feed intake and weight gain peaked.14Heliyon. Impact of sugar beet pulp on nutrient metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and intestinal histomorphometry in tambaquà (Colossoma macropomum) Higher levels reduced performance, following a curved pattern. The beet pulp also caused a measurable increase in intestinal villus length and absorptive surface area, which is generally interpreted as improved gut capacity, without any signs of inflammation or oxidative stress.14Heliyon. Impact of sugar beet pulp on nutrient metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and intestinal histomorphometry in tambaquà (Colossoma macropomum) This kind of research is driven by the aquaculture industry’s search for plant-based feed ingredients that can partially replace fishmeal and soy, and beet pulp’s high fermentable fiber content makes it a candidate worth testing.
Dogs and Cats
If you have read the ingredients on a bag of premium dog or cat food, you have probably seen “beet pulp” listed. It is one of the most widely used fiber sources in commercial pet diets, and it is there for good reason. Research on dogs has shown that beet pulp, as a moderately fermentable fiber, promotes good stool quality without compromising nutrient digestibility and may support gastrointestinal health by optimizing production of short-chain fatty acids in the colon.15PubMed. Dietary fiber for dogs: IV. In vitro fermentation of selected fiber sources by dog fecal inoculum and in vivo digestion and metabolism of fiber-supplemented diets Short-chain fatty acids are the primary fuel for colon cells and play a role in maintaining a healthy gut lining.
The amount matters, though. When dogs were fed diets with high levels of sugar beet pulp, daily feces volume increased and fecal dry matter dropped compared to lower-inclusion diets, indicating that too much beet pulp can loosen stools.16Journal of Animal Science. Influence of lignocellulose and low or high levels of sugar beet pulp on nutrient digestibility and the fecal microbiota in dogs The takeaway for pet owners is that beet pulp at moderate levels in commercial food is a well-studied, beneficial ingredient, but adding large amounts of raw beet to a dog’s diet on top of their normal food could cause digestive upset.
In cats, beet pulp serves a similar function. Pet food companies include fibrous ingredients like beet pulp in cat foods to help with weight management and hairball control.17PubMed Central. The effects of diets varying in fibre sources on nutrient utilization, stool quality and hairball management in cats The fiber adds bulk to the diet without adding many calories, and it helps move ingested hair through the digestive tract rather than allowing it to accumulate into hairballs. Despite occasional claims on pet-owner forums that beet pulp is a cheap “filler,” the ingredient has decades of feeding-trial data supporting its digestive benefits in both dogs and cats.
Oxalates, Nitrates, and the Safety Limits of Beet Feeding
Beets are not universally safe for every species at every dose. The two main concerns are oxalates and nitrates, both of which are present in beet leaves and tops at higher concentrations than in the root itself.
Oxalates bind calcium in the body and, if consumed in large enough quantities, can form calcium oxalate crystals that damage the kidneys. A study of Ossimi sheep that were fed beet tops developed clinical hypocalcemia and renal failure, with post-mortem examination revealing calcium oxalate crystals deposited in the kidney tubules.18Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences. Hypocalcaemia in Ossimi Sheep Associated with Feeding on Beet Tops (Beta vulgaris) The problem was not the beet root but the greens, which concentrate oxalic acid. Dogs face a similar risk from high-oxalate plant material: a documented case of acute renal failure in a dog after eating spinach (another high-oxalate green) for three consecutive days showed the same calcium oxalate crystal damage in the kidneys. Beet greens carry comparable oxalate levels, so large or prolonged feeding of raw beet tops to dogs is worth avoiding.
Nitrate toxicity is the other concern, mainly for ruminants. Beet tops can accumulate nitrates, especially when the plants have been heavily fertilized or stressed by drought. When cattle or sheep consume nitrate-rich beet tops, gut bacteria convert the nitrate to nitrite, which interferes with oxygen transport in the blood. Historical veterinary literature has documented nitrate poisoning outbreaks in livestock fed large quantities of beet tops.19PubMed Central. Nitrate Poisoning from beet tops The practical solution farmers use is to wilt or dry beet tops before feeding, which reduces nitrate content, and to introduce them gradually into the diet rather than offering unlimited fresh greens all at once.
An interesting side note on beet chemistry in animals: when researchers gave oral betalain (the red pigment in beets) to animals, it did not produce beeturia, the reddish urine that some humans experience after eating beets. Beeturia only appeared when betalain was injected directly into the body cavity, bypassing the digestive system entirely.20QJM: An International Journal of Medicine. Beeturia and colonic oxalic acid This suggests that most animals break down betalain pigments during digestion far more efficiently than those humans who experience visible beeturia, which is consistent with the poultry finding that beet pigments do not color egg yolks. If your dog eats a beet and you notice reddish stool, it is almost certainly the pigment passing through, not a sign of bleeding, but the amount of pigment that makes it through intact varies between individual animals just as it does between people.
Garden-Level Pest Management
For home gardeners, the practical question is usually less about feeding beets to animals and more about keeping animals from eating the beets first. The list of backyard culprits is long: deer browse the greens and pull up roots, rabbits clip young beet seedlings at ground level, groundhogs consume whole plants, and slugs can devastate a bed of emerging seedlings overnight. Voles tunnel under the soil surface and gnaw beet roots from below, which is especially frustrating because the damage is invisible until you pull up a hollowed-out root at harvest time.
Physical barriers are the most reliable defense. Row covers or netting stop deer and rabbits. Raised beds with hardware cloth on the bottom block voles and gophers. Slug traps or iron-phosphate-based bait handle the mollusk problem without harming pets or wildlife. Fencing needs to be at least two meters tall for deer, and buried about 30 centimeters deep around the perimeter for burrowing animals. Some gardeners plant beets alongside strong-smelling herbs or alliums on the theory that the scent deters browsers, though the evidence for this is mostly anecdotal. The one pest you cannot fence out is the nematode, which is a soil management problem requiring crop rotation and resistant varieties rather than physical exclusion.