Have you ever wondered if dogs eat sweet potatoes?
The quick answer is…yes!
To put it simply, sweet potatoes are good for dogs. That shouldn’t be surprising, given that sweet potatoes are good for humans, too.
However, while humans have a history of eating sweet potatoes, dogs do not. This has led to a common misconception that sweet potatoes are unsafe for dogs to consume.
The truth is that sweet potatoes are safe for dogs to eat, and can have many health benefits.
Sweet potatoes may be a perfect food for dogs? They are rich in fiber and beta-carotene, two nutrients that are essential for dogs as they get older. Fiber helps reduce the risk of developing colon cancer, and beta-carotene can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Sweet potatoes are not only nutritious, but can be a significant addition to any dog’s diet. They’re easy to prepare, easy to digest, and most dogs seem to love them.
Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Dogs?
Sweet potatoes provide an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps the digestive system function more effectively. Eating fiber regularly lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Sweet potatoes are a whole food, so they are less likely to cause an immune response or damage to the digestive tract.
They are also low in fat and high in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, potassium, and iron (each of which plays a vital role in overall wellness).
Vitamin A, for example, is important because it keeps the eyes, muscles, and nerves healthy. Vitamin C is important for a healthy immune system. Dogs, just like humans, have a better chance of recovering from injuries and illnesses when supplemented with vitamin C, according to studies.
If your dog is diabetic, overweight, or less active, owner should proceed carefully and give them a minimal amount of sweet potatoes. Diabetic dogs should avoid them, since they have a high glycemic index.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Sweet Potatoes?
Cooked sweet potatoes are healthier options for dogs since they contain important nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant and vitamin A precursor which boosts immunity.
Sweet potatoes can be cooked, steamed, baked, boiled or dehydrated for your pup. Before bringing sweet potatoes into your dog's diet, talk to your vet about how much vitamin A is enough.
Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes, but veterinary supervision is necessary before feeding sweet potatoes to diabetic dogs.
They count toward the 10% maximum amount of calories from treats that your dog can have.
How to Add Sweet Potatoes to Your Dog’s Diet
The easiest and best way to treat your dog to sweet potatoes is to steam them or boil them without seasoning. This helps preserve more nutritional value than roasting. And remember, start with a small amount.
- Start with between a teaspoon and a tablespoon if a larger breed dog, depending on the size of your dog.
- Pet owners should consult a vet before feeding sweet potatoes to dogs, since too much vitamin A can cause bone problems and muscle weakness.
- A sudden increase in fiber could also cause gastrointestinal issues, so you want to start slow!
Dogs shouldn't get raw sweet potatoes; always make sure that they're cooked. Steam and mash, then add some to your dog's food. Steaming or boiling preserves more of the nutrients than roasting or baking. They're high in fiber, so introduce them slowly.
Can sweet potatoes make my dog smell?
No! Sweet potatoes won't make your dog smell.
Because of the fiber content, they may make your dog slightly gassy. There are dog foods that prevent gas, which can help it’s a problem.
Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Dogs
Even though your dog's body functions best with a diet high in animal protein, carbohydrates can still be used in moderate amounts. Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals, which makes them an increasingly common ingredient in dog treats.
Can I feed my Dog Sweet Potato Every Day?
This can be given to your pet occasionally as a treat and could have some health benefits for your pet.
Vitamin C boosts white blood cells and even boosts the dog's immune system, while potassium boosts blood vessel function, strengthens muscles and replaces lost electrolytes.
On the other hand, sweet potatoes have also been linked to better vision and even cancer-fighting antioxidants, and they have anti-inflammatory properties, so they're perfect for dogs with food allergies.
Sweet potatoes also may lower blood pressure, improve digestion, and contain a lot of dietary fiber.
Potential Health Concerns
Obviously, this doesn't mean your dog needs sweet potatoes every day. Ultimately, they are a carbohydrate that, if consumed too much, can cause health problems ranging from diabetes to pancreatitis.
You won't want to feed any potatoes to dogs with preexisting health conditions, like obesity or diabetes, because they'll cause blood sugar spikes that lead to weight gain.
Can Dog's Eat Raw Sweet Potatoes?
Always avoid raw, sweet potatoes for dogs.
Dogs should never consume raw sweet potatoes. Potatoes are included in the nightshade family of vegetables, along with tomatoes. They have a compound called solanine that can be toxic to some dogs. Cooking a potato is a great way to get rid of a lot of the solanine.
Solanine poisoning symptoms include upset stomach, blurry vision, and a decreased heart rate, and these require immediate veterinary attention.
Potatoes must be avoided because they can cause intestinal blockages or choking if they can't digest them properly.
The Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Dogs
Sweet potato is a healthy, natural dog treat (and has a sweet taste your dog will love). Sweet potatoes, for instance, promote a healthy digestive system thanks to their fiber content.
Did you ever wonder why sweet potatoes are yellow, gold or orange (and sometimes even purple)? It’s beta-carotene!
Beta-carotene helps prevent certain types of cancer while also protecting against heart disease.
Beta-carotene converts into two molecules of Vitamin A, which your dog needs for its bones, skin, vision, and reproduction. Serious Beta-carotene or Vitamin A deficiency symptoms include night blindness, sun spots, brittle bones/teeth, and poor reproductive function.
Here's an interesting fact: Dogs can convert beta-carotene into Vitamin A, but cats can't; they need to consume preformed Vitamin A.
Sweet potatoes are the second-highest source of fiber on the list.One of the major reasons to give your dog fiber is to make sure he gets regular bowel movements.
Sweet potatoes can also relieve constipation and diarrhea, depending on their fiber content. Some diets are higher in fiber to dispense calories, increase the feeling of fullness, and help pets lose weight.
If you see your dog straining, then a vet check is strongly advised.
Although white potatoes are cheaper than sweet potatoes, they don't have as much nutrition. White potatoes can cause high blood sugar levels and obesity because they contain more carbohydrates. Sweet potatoes are also largely carbs, so don't go overboard and only add a small amount.
Sweet Potato Fact: Did you know? One cup of cooked sweet potato contains approximately 5.94 grams of fiber.
How much Sweet Potato Can I Give My Dog?
Dogs shouldn't eat over one or two ounces of sweet potato a serving.
How much sweet potato is too much for dogs? Toy breed dogs start with 2 to 3 teaspoons of the first serving, and large breed dogs get a little more ( about a tablespoon) if they tolerate it well.
It's important to make sure that sweet potatoes are cooked correctly. Boiling, baking, or mashing sweet potatoes makes them easier to swallow because they soften them.
You can mix sweet potato in with his regular dog food when you give him his first serving. Some dog owners bake sweet potato into dog treats.
Sweet potatoes can become a regular treat for your dog if he likes it and tolerates it well. If you notice any signs of bowel upset like vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, etc., avoid giving him more sweet potato.
Like anything, moderation is key. We should base the amount given on a variety of factors, such as your dog’s size, activity level, and overall health. Start with a small amount.
If you decide to add steamed sweet potatoes to your dog's diet, start with between a teaspoon or a tablespoon for larger breed dogs.
For dehydrated sweet potato treats, you'll want to start with small amounts and as long as your dog's stomach tolerates it, you can slowly increase the amount.
So there you go! If you’ve made our dehydrated or air fryer sweet potato dog treat recipe, I would really appreciate a rating and a comment below!
How to Feed Sweet Potatoes to My Dog?
Regardless of how you cook them, your dog will eat sweet potatoes. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. I suggest baking or boiling the potatoes without any additional seasoning and butter, oil, or salt since it can cause health problems for dogs.
Also, you can bake them into homemade dog treats or stuff them into Kongs, Toppl’s or other puzzle toys.
Dogs and humans breakdown sweet potatoes and metabolize them as fat, so if you plan on feeding your pet sweet potatoes, make sure you take them on extra-long walks or have a fun time in the backyard the next day.
Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we take part in). As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
How do I make Sweet Potatoes for my Dog?
Sweet potatoes can be fed in a couple of ways. Whenever you serve sweet potatoes to your pup, be sure to make sure the sweet potato is cooked thoroughly and remove the skin.
Dehydrated Sweet Potato Dog Treats are one of the favorite ways to feed your pooch is as a sweet potato dehydrated chew! Unlike rawhide chews, sweet potato chews do not cause digestive blockages and choking.
There are two ways to make these, just peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into thick slices like slabs. A mandolin is great, but a knife is also good, just watch your fingers! I normally set mine to about ¼′′ so the chews are nice and thick.
Dehydrator or Air Fryer Method: Simply slice your sweet potatoes with a mandolin slicer, sprinkle a little cinnamon on the sweet potatoes.
- To dehydrate sweet potatoes, put them in an even layer on a dehydrator or air fryer rack.
- Make sure that there is room around each sweet potato and they aren’t touching.
- Dehydrate for 6-8 hours at 125°F (52°C) until crispy.
- You'll need to adjust the cooking time depending on how thick you slice your sweet potatoes.
Oven Method: Slice your sweet potatoes the same way as the dehydrated method.
- Pre-heat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (130 degrees Celsius).
- Line your cookie sheet pans with parchment paper.
- Bake sweet potatoes in a single layer for 2 12 to 3 hours, flipping them once halfway through, until they are dry, shriveled, and some parts crispy, others chewy.
- The sweet potato chews will get crispier as they cool.
Steamed or boil sweet potato for dogs: One of the easiest ways to give your pup sweet potatoes is to steam or boil them don't add seasonings though, that's not good for them. Steaming keeps more nutrition than roasting.
- Fill the bottom of the steamer with a couple of inches of water.
- Peel a sweet potato and cut it into cubes that are about the same size as kibble.
- When the steamer is ready, add sweet potatoes, cover and steam for 7-10 minutes or until tender.
Can Dog's Eat Sweet Potato Skins?
Sweet potatoes have tough skin that's hard for your dog to digest and add very little nutritional value.
Neither should your dog eat raw, sweet potatoes. Besides being hard to chew, they upset your dog's stomach and can cause an intestinal blockage.
Sweet Potatoes should be fed in Moderation
Each dog will tolerate different food types differently, so you'll want to start out with small quantities of sweet potato so you can watch for any reactions, such as symptoms of stomach distress.
Consult your vet before adding new food to your dog's food, especially if they have known digestive issues or allergies. On the bright side, sweet potatoes have long been known to alleviate bloating, gas, and loose stools in puppies.
Which is better for Dogs Pumpkin or Sweet Potato?
It all depends on your dog's dietary needs. Both are significant sources of vitamin A and potassium.
Sweet potatoes have a lot more sugar than pumpkin and a lot more carbs. Because of this, they have a lot of calories. However, sweet potatoes are higher in fiber and protein than pumpkin. So basically, both are nutritious options for your dog (not as a standalone meal).
If your dog has diabetes, or any other health issues, consult with your vet before feeding them, but especially sweet potatoes because their high carb count could be bad for them.
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