Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes? Pros & Cons

Many dog owners ask the question: ‘Can dogs eat sweet potatoes?’. We will discuss in this post if your furry friend should eat sweet potatoes and if it has any health benefits for your pet’s health. Trying new foods is sometimes unnerving, but we will shine some light on this subject. If you are looking for healthy food for dogs, then sweet potatoes are a good option.

They are a great source of vitamins and minerals, and they also contain beta-carotene, which helps reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. You will also find that they are a common ingredient in commercial dog foods.

Sweet potatoes offer an abundance of health benefits, along with tasting delicious. However, it’s important for dog owners to remember that moderation is always key when it comes to feeding their dog. So, if you want to give your pup some sweet potatoes, then make sure that you do so in a healthy and well-balanced manner.

Are Sweet Potatoes Good For Dogs?

Yes and No. Sweet potatoes can be a nutritious addition to your dog’s daily diet, but due to the fact that it is a starchy vegetable, eating too much causes problems, such as obesity, however, in small quantities it is ok.

However, dog owners should consider a few factors before offering sweet potatoes to their pets as a dog treat because sweet potatoes can pose risks even for healthy dogs.

Eat Sweet Potatoes In Moderation

When it comes to sweet potatoes, you’ll want to get in the know before splurging on the real stuff. Sweet potatoes are a great way to add a dose of yum to your diet.

Among their many uses, you can find them in the form of sweet potato chips, sweet potato fries, mashed, or even roasted ones.

To get the most out of your sack of sweet potatoes, you’ll need to make sure it is cooked in moderation.

In addition, you’ll want to make the most of their nutrient richness by pairing it with other vegetables or protein for a more satisfying and balanced meal. (Read post: Can dogs eat bell peppers?)

Healthy Benefits Of Beta-Carotene

Vegetables with an orange color contain beta-carotene, which is a precursor for vitamin A and an antioxidant that helps boost immunity. Vitamin A is essential for healthy muscles and eyes, heart, and other organs.

However, you should keep in mind that excess intake of vitamin A can lead to toxicity in dogs, same as in humans, which can affect your dogs liver and cause damage to your immune system.

Fruits, legumes, and whole grains are all excellent sources of this nutrient. To reap the full benefit of antioxidants, try to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

A Healthier Alternative To Cooked White Potatoes

If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to white potatoes for your dog, sweet potatoes are a great option. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber, which helps your dog’s digestive track to work smoothly. They are also full of vitamins and minerals.

The vitamin C in sweet potatoes is a powerful antioxidant. It helps your dog’s immune system function and protects against free radicals. In addition, it can help prevent certain types of cancer in dogs.

As with any new food, your dog may develop a sensitivity to it, so you should monitor his response. You can start feeding your dog sweet potatoes in small amounts and gradually increase the quantity.

Benefits of Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are one of the most common ingredients in dog foods. They provide essential nutrients to support the digestive track, heart, and muscles. However, sweet potatoes should only make up a small percentage of your dog’s diet.

Sweet potatoe is a good source of potassium, which is important for maintaining energy levels and for the functioning of the heart and nerves. It also contains vitamins B6, C, and iron. But, there are risks involved with feeding dogs this vegetable.

Some studies have linked potatoes with increased risk of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. Because of this, your vet may recommend that you stop feeding your dogs this veggie.

Can Diabetic Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

If you want to add sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet, be sure to provide it in moderation. Too much sweet potato, which is high in dietary fiber, can cause gastrointestinal upset. You should also be aware that the glycemic index is high, so your dog could experience a blood sugar crash after eating the potato. While it is lower in a cooked state, it still remains high compared to many other fruits and vegetables.

In addition, sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes, but veterinary supervision should be used before feeding sweet potato to a diabetic dog. Calories from sweet potatoes should also be counted toward the 10% maximum amount of calories that your dog can have from treats each day.

They’re a rich source of vitamins and minerals

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, iron, magnesium, and calcium. In addition, they have plenty of dietary fiber. This helps promote good digestion and regular bowel movements.

It is important to feed your dog a variety of vegetables and fruits. These can help maintain a healthy weight, promote a balanced digestive system, and prevent occasional diarrhea.

If your dog has problems with intestinal bloating or diarrhea, it might be a good idea to try a higher-fiber diet. The fiber helps regulate bowel movement, preventing the growth of bad bacteria.

Eating fiber on a regular basis lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.

• Potassium: This important mineral keeps your dog’s kidneys functioning well. It also supports efficient heart function, muscle function, and a healthy digestive system.
• Iron: Iron supports red blood cell and hemoglobin formation. Hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout the body and produces energy. Iron is an essential nutrient for dogs.
• They’re also low in fat and contain essential vitamins like  B6, C, and A.

Carbohydrates In Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a starchy root vegetable that is grown worldwide. Often confused with yams, most American grocery stores carry sweet potatoes with only specialty stores carrying the true Yam. What’s the difference between Sweet Potatoes and Yams?

Sweet potatoes are sweeter and carry more nutrients than Yams. And that means like other popular pet food ingredients such as white potato and yam … sweet potatoes turn into sugar in your dog’s body. If you want a better way to give dogs the vitamins they need, try berries and green veggies.

Baked sweet potatoes also have a high glycemic index, and the root vegetables are full of carbohydrates. If eaten in excess, this can lead to obesity or cause a spike in blood sugar for diabetic dogs.

Feeding Dogs Sweet Potatoes

Only feed your dog plain sweet potatoes. That means no added milk, cream, butter, oil, salt or other seasonings. Start small. If your dog has never eaten sweet potato, start by feeding them a small amount to see if they have a negative reaction, like an upset stomach or allergic reaction. Then you can slowly increase the quantity over time.

How Can You Serve Sweet Potatoes For Your Dogs

Raw Sweet Potatoes: Not Good

Dogs should only eat cooked sweet potato. Raw sweet potato can be difficult to chew and become a choking hazard or obstruct the gastrointestinal tract. Only feed your dog plain sweet potatoes.

That means no added milk, cream, butter, oil, salt or other seasonings. Start small. If your dog has never eaten sweet potato, start by feeding them a small amount.

White potato is a vegetable in the nightshade family that contain a compound called solanine. This is toxic to dogs, and therefore, they should never eat raw potatoes.

Cooking a potato helps reduce the amount of solanine so that it’s safe for dogs. Raw sweet potatoes can cause digestive upset in dogs. And both raw white potatoes and raw sweet potatoes can cause intestinal blockages.

Cooked Sweet Potatoes: Good

Cooked sweet potato is a healthier choice for dogs because they contain important nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron.

Sweet Potato Skin: Nood Good

Sweet potato skins are not good for your dogs. When feeding your dog a sweet potato, make sure it’s cooked and that the skin is removed; leaving the skin on makes it harder for your dog to digest. You should never feed your dog a raw sweet potato. Not only are they difficult to chew, but they can upset your dog’s stomach and potentially cause intestinal blockage. Some dogs are known to “inhale” their food, so making sure the potato is of a soft consistency lessons the risk of choking.

Canned Sweet Potato: No

Canned Sweet Potatoes: No. Most canned sweet potatoes have added sweeteners and artificial ingredients, making them a potential hazard for your pooch. Organic, unsweetened canned sweet potatoes with only water as the added ingredient are okay for your pooch.

Fried Sweet Potatoes: No

Frying is one of the least healthy preparations for any food, and fried foods are toxic to dogs. Fried sweet potatoes are full of unhealthy fats, which can lead to pancreatitis if our dogs eat them in large quantities.

Fried foods have also been linked to various types of cancer in humans.

Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes (Dried Sweet Potatoes): Good

Yes, dogs can eat boiled, baked, or dried sweet potatoes that do not contain added seasonings, sweeteners, or preservatives. 

When Should You Consult Your Veterinarian?

If you are unsure if you should feed your dog sweet potato, talk to your vet.Your vet will be able to discuss with you whether you should feed your dog sweet potatoes or not, and if yes, how much you can give at each meal. If you suspect your pet is sick, please call your vet immediately. There are many veterinarians in each state, but if you are looking for a holistic veterinarian, you may check out AHVMA, the holistic veterinarian directory.