The thought of sweet potatoes conjures up images of warm, smothered marshmallows and brown sugar side dishes served at holiday dinners.
A holiday feast wouldn’t be complete without them. They provide humans with several health benefits, but do they offer the same health benefits to dogs? Can dogs eat sweet potatoes?
Yes, your dog can eat sweet potatoes. The sweet potato is a whole-food superfood for your dogs. Moreover, these bright orange ground tubers, or root vegetables, are highly nutrient-dense.
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, potassium, and fibre are all found in them, which makes them nutritionally dense compared to most other tubers. As an added benefit, they also have low calories and fat content.
Hence, sweet potatoes are a healthy and flavorful addition to your dog’s diet, providing excellent nutrition. Also, sweet potatoes are commonly included in dog food and dog treats that are made for dogs.
To understand if sweet potatoes can be a healthy addition to your dog’s diet or the dangers they pose, let’s take a closer look at this article.
A brief description of sweet potatoes
Sweet potato- is a member of the Morning Glory family.
Sweet potatoes are starchy root vegetables (ground tubers) grown in several parts of the world. They contain more nutrients and are more precious.
Also, the skin of a sweet potato is smoother, thinner, and has a lower starch content than a regular potato.
Nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs
Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest foods you can feed your dog. It is packed with essential vitamins and minerals vital for the healthy growth and development of the body.
There are many benefits to eating sweet potatoes, some of which are listed below:
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1. Fiber:
As one of the highest sources of fibre in vegetables, sweet potatoes are one of the most popular vegetables among dogs, as they have a fantastic taste.
A healthy digestive system depends on the presence of fibre to function correctly. The fibre in sweet potatoes can assist in treating diarrhoea or constipation in dogs.
If your dog suffers from obesity, it is highly recommended that you give them a high-fibre diet to improve their overall health. Your dog’s stomach is full longer after eating fibre, so your dog is more likely to lose weight.
Recent studies have proven that dogs with a diet rich in fiber are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular problems and certain types of cancer.
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Antioxidants:
There are many antioxidants in sweet potatoes, which is why they are so good for your health. The antioxidants in our bodies fight free radicals that can cause damage to the cells because of things such as stress, illness, or the environment itself.
Purple sweet potatoes contain a higher level of anthocyanins, whereas orange sweet potatoes contain a higher level of beta-carotene.
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Vitamin C:
Sweet potatoes contain Vitamin C. Vitamin C, an antioxidant and potent anti-inflammatory, benefits your dog’s immune system. It helps in destroying free radicals that can damage cells of the body. It has also been reported to reduce the cognitive problems that usually occur as a dog ages.
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Vitamin A:
Sweet potato contains beta-carotene. This beta-carotene converts into vitamin A after it enters the body. It aids in cell function, reproduction, and immunity. Additionally, this beta-carotene contributes to sweet potatoes’ orange colour.
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Vitamin B6:
Sweet potato contains Vitamin B6. It is vital in supporting healthy red blood cells and the immune system and helping glucose production in your dog’s body. The presence of this vitamin in dogs is significant. So add this food to your dog’s bowl.
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Calcium:
Sweet potato contains calcium. Calcium is an important mineral that is essential for the growth of strong bones, the health of healthy teeth, a strong heart, the function of muscles, the part of our nervous system, and the development of muscles.
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Potassium:
This essential mineral keeps the kidneys of your dog functioning well and prevents kidney disease. With its consumption, you can ensure a healthy digestive system, a healthy heart, and a healthy skeletal system for your canine friend.
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Iron:
Red blood cells and haemoglobin are produced when iron is present in the body. Oxygen is transported by haemoglobin, and energy is generated throughout the body.
Dogs must have access to all these nutrients in their diet as they are essential for their health. It is, therefore, a good idea to choose a sweet potato as it contains all of these health benefits in one bite.
Sweet potatoes to your dog- How to feed?
Sweet potato is usually a favourite food among dogs.
The best way to eat them is to boil or bake them, then mash, slice, or cube them once they have been cooked.
The low fat and calorie content of these root vegetables makes them ideal training treats. Combining them with your dog’s regular meals, such as kibble or wet food, is also possible for a tasty, nutritious addition to the traditional meal.
Sweet potato chips and fries are a no-no when it comes to dogs. They contain salt, sugar, and artificial additives. Dogs can get upset stomachs and tummies if they eat these items, so keep them away as they are not safe for them.
You can try making sweet potato fries or chips for your pup. I prefer fresh sweet potatoes to frozen or processed sweet potatoes.
As a healthy alternative to chewy treats, dogs love dehydrated sweet potatoes. After being baked or dehydrated, they get stiff, with a slight chewiness that allows them to satisfy their chewing needs.
If you prefer to make your sweet potato chews at home, many resources on the internet will show you how to make them quickly and easily.
You can add sweet potatoes as a tasty way of adding a nutritional boost to your dog’s diet, especially when they are mixed with other fruits and vegetables.
The strawberries can be combined with blueberries, broccoli, and bananas, and they can be added to plain yoghurt smoothies or frozen for a fun summer treat.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat raw sweet potatoes?
Due to their origin in the nightshade family, white potatoes are toxic to dogs if given to them raw.
The good news is, however, that sweet potatoes, which aren’t related to white potatoes, are entirely safe for your dog to eat.
If you give your puppy cooked sweet potatoes, your dog will surely enjoy them. However, raw sweet potatoes may cause your dog a stomach ache or an intestinal upset. Thus, it would be most appropriate for them only to be served in their cooked form.
Can dogs eat sweet potato skins?
A sweet potato’s skin is not toxic to your dog as long as it is not consumed in large chunks. However, it could pose a choking hazard if eaten in large amounts. Dogs with small breeds are prone to suffer from this problem.
Also, they have difficulty digesting the skin since it is tough to digest. Ideally, you should peel the vegetables before you feed them.
However, if you leave the skins on, you should cut or slice the sweet potato into small, thin pieces. It will make it easier for them to digest and eat it.
Can dogs eat canned sweet potatoes?
You should be aware that many canned sweet potatoes contain sweeteners and artificial ingredients that can harm your dog’s health.
Organic, unsweetened sweet potatoes are okay for your dog if they have only water as an added ingredient—the process of canning results in the loss of some nutrients, which should be considered.
Are sweet potatoes allergens for dogs?
Yes, as well as no. Sweet potatoes are whole foods, so they are less likely to trigger an immune response or sensitivity in your dog. Always watch for itchiness, breathing difficulties, or rashes whenever you give your pet new food.
The sweetness of sweet potatoes can cause dogs who suffer from yeast or candida infections (such as ear infections or excessive itching) to experience symptom flare-ups due to sweet potatoes being starchy carbohydrates.
Do sweet potatoes suit diabetic dogs?
As a vegetable, sweet potatoes have a high starch content and are considered to have a medium glycemic load. Due to this, it quickly turns into sugar, which results in extremely high levels of blood sugar in your dog’s body.
Therefore, it is necessary to give sweet potatoes as an occasional treat to dogs who suffer from diabetes. It might be a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about giving him sweet potatoes.
Conclusion
To conclude, sweet potatoes should only be fed to your dog in moderation as occasional treats, not regularly.
A healthy thing, even if it is nutritious, should only be consumed in small amounts to avoid an allergic reaction.
Putting sweet potatoes in your dog’s bowl may cause them to get sick if they have kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, or if they are overweight.
They may also have chronic ear or skin infections if they have kidney disease. If you wish to add new treats or foods to your dog’s diet, we always recommend that you check with your veterinarian before introducing them to their diet.
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