By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Last updated: 10 November 2026
If your cat licks the pink-purple juice off a plate of pickled beets, the beetroot itself is the least of the worries. What matters is what the jar is made of: vinegar brine, salt, sugar and often spices or onion. Those are the ingredients that decide whether this is a harmless lick or a call to the vet.
Key takeaways
- Pickled beets are a human side dish. Cats do not need them and the brine is the problem.
- Salt is the main concern. Lort Smith Melbourne Animal Hospital rates salt as severe toxicity in cats at large intakes.
- Some pickles are made with onion or garlic, which can damage red blood cells.
- A small lick is unlikely to cause harm. A mouthful or more of brine is worth a call.
- Related: pickled onions, potatoes, pickled cucumbers.
Why the brine matters
Pet Poison Helpline lists vomiting, diarrhoea, stumbling, disorientation, tremor, seizure and collapse as signs of salt overdose in pets. Lort Smith says signs appear within minutes of eating too much salt, that salt draws fluid out of cells and that severe dehydration can lead to kidney failure. Jarred pickles are often salty, and a bowl of beets in brine concentrates it.
The RSPCA Australia knowledgebase reminds us that cats are obligate carnivores that depend on nutrients from prey. Fruit and vegetable side dishes give them nothing they lack.
What else can be in the jar
- Sugar. Adds empty calories. VCA says that in North America obesity is the most common preventable disease in cats.
- Onion or garlic. Some recipes add slices or powder. Lort Smith says onions cause oxidative damage to red blood cells, and signs can show anywhere from 12 hours to five days later.
- Spices. Whole spices, bay leaves, chilli or peppercorns can irritate the stomach.
- Sweeteners in "reduced sugar" jars. Read the label for xylitol. Lort Smith says it is known to be toxic to dogs and that its effect in cats is not yet known.
If your cat ate pickled beets
- Check the label and take away the jar.
- Offer fresh water.
- Do not make your cat vomit.
- A lick of juice or a small piece: watch for the rest of the day.
- A fair amount of beets or brine, or any in a small kitten: call your vet or the Animal Poisons Helpline on 1300 869 738.
Signs to watch for
- Extreme thirst or frequent urination
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Pale or yellowish gums
- A painful belly
- Tremors, stumbling or seizures (urgent)
When to see a vet urgently
Go to a clinic for tremors, wobbliness, collapse, repeated vomiting or a cat that refuses water. VCA says vomiting with fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or diarrhoea needs a vet.
Storing beets and brine
Beet jars are tall, heavy and sealed, which makes them harder for cats to get into than most. The risk is plates, fridge-door tubs and leftover brine. Return the jar to the fridge after serving and pour used brine down the sink rather than leaving it in a container on the bench.
Beetroot juice also stains. If your cat has red-purple fur or paws after a taste, wipe it gently with a damp cloth and check for any signs of illness the same day.
FAQ
Are fresh or cooked beets okay for cats?
Beetroot is not on the ASPCA's list of people foods to avoid, but it is not a food cats need. If you offer any, keep it plain, tiny and rare.
When does a change in stool or urine matter?
VCA says severe or bloody diarrhoea, or diarrhoea with signs of illness, should be seen promptly. Brown-tinged urine or pale gums after onion or garlic also needs a vet.
Is the vinegar the problem?
The brine worries us mainly because of salt and flavourings such as onion or garlic.
What can I give my cat instead?
A small piece of plain cooked chicken, or a commercial cat treat.
Talk with a vet
If your cat has eaten pickled food and you are not sure whether to be worried, book a video consult with Dial A Vet's real vets and vet nurses. We help with dogs and cats, with same-day and extended hours. Book a Dial A Vet consult.
References
- Lort Smith Melbourne Animal Hospital. Salt - cats.
- Pet Poison Helpline. Salt Is Toxic To Pets.
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase. Do cats have special nutritional requirements?.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Obesity in Cats.
- Lort Smith Melbourne Animal Hospital. Onions Shallots Leeks - cats.
- Lort Smith Melbourne Animal Hospital. Xylitol Sweetener - cats.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Vomiting in Cats.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Diarrhea in Cats.
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency vet clinic.