Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato?

If you're a sweet potato fan, you might be wondering if your dog can eat it too. Sweet potatoes are a nutritious treat and delicious for both people and dogs! These delicious vegetables are packed with nutritional value, and dogs go absolutely bonkers for the flavor! Sweet potatoes are an excellent addition to your dog's diet if they're prepared properly and given in moderation. Dogs can eat sweet potatoes that are cooked, peeled, and made especially for them. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of this tasty treat!

 

 

Is Sweet Potato Safe for Dogs?

In short, yes! Canines can safely eat sweet potatoes as long as they are cooked and peeled. Raw sweet potatoes aren't ideal because they can upset your dog's stomach and cause an intestinal blockage. The plant contains trypsin inhibitors that can impact your dog's ability to digest protein - cooking sweet potatoes good enough destroys these compounds.

 

It's also crucial that you don't make your dog eat any part of the potato vine since it's toxic to them. Ingesting any part of a sweet potato vine can lead to acute poisoning. The vines from sweet potatoes can adversely affect your dog's brain, heart, liver, and kidneys. Symptoms that are associated with sweet potato vine poisoning in a dog include:

 

• Seizure
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Hallucination
• Dilated pupils
• Reduced heart rate
• Excessive urination
• Low blood pressure
• Difficulty swallowing
• Drooling or salivation
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Numbness in their paws
• Liver and kidney damage
• Irritation around the mouth

 

Even in small amounts, eating a vine from a sweet potato can severely hurt your dog's health! If you have a garden in your backyard that contains sweet potatoes, your dog shouldn't access that area. If your dog has ingested them raw or any part of sweet potato pieces from the vine, you need to take them to the vet immediately!

 

 

Is Sweet Potato Good for Dogs?

Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and delicious treat that most dogs can enjoy safely when given in moderation. While raw sweet potatoes and their vines can pose a risk, cooked sweet potatoes are an excellent addition to your dog's balanced diet too. They offer numerous health benefits that contribute to your dog's overall wellness.

 

 

Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Dogs

Sweet potatoes offer a range of health benefits for dogs, making them a nutritious addition to their diet:

 

• Dietary Fiber: Sweet potatoes are a rich source of dietary fiber, which is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system in dogs. Fiber helps regulate bowel movements, reduces constipation, and promotes overall gut health, making sweet potatoes a beneficial addition to your dog's diet.
• Beta-Carotene: These tasty tubers are packed with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A. This nutrient is crucial for maintaining healthy vision and bolstering the immune system, helping to protect your dog from infections and diseases.
• Essential Vitamins: Sweet potatoes provide essential vitamins like Vitamin A, B6, and C, which are important for your dog's overall health. Vitamin A supports skin and coat health, vitamin B6 ensures proper brain and nervous system function, and vitamin C promotes immune health and reduces inflammation.

 

 

Minerals in Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are also rich in essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron. Calcium supports strong bones and teeth, potassium regulates fluid balance and muscle function, and iron is crucial for oxygen transport in the blood. These minerals contribute to your dog's overall wellness, supporting key bodily functions.

 

 

Natural Anti-Inflammatory Properties

With their natural anti-inflammatory properties, sweet potatoes are an excellent option for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities to human foods. They can help reduce inflammation, alleviate skin irritation, and promote a healthier digestive system, making them a soothing choice for sensitive pets.

 

 

Remedy for Digestive Issues

The high fiber content in sweet potatoes can also serve as a natural remedy for dogs with digestive issues. Whether your dog is experiencing diarrhea or constipation, feeding sweet potatoes often can help regulate their digestive system and promote healthy digestion. Introduce them gradually to avoid any gastrointestinal upset.

 

Related Article: The Best Dog Itchy Skin Home Remedy – Full List

 

 

Can Dogs Be Allergic to Sweet Potato?

In rare cases, dogs can be allergic to both sweet potato skins and potatoes. Possible symptoms of a sweet potato allergy include itchiness, paw biting, loose stool, vomiting, and ear inflammation. Since this allergy isn't very common, it's a good idea to consult with a veterinarian for the best advice. If you suspect your dog is allergic to sweet potatoes, the vet can perform an allergy test and rule out any other irritants. Sweet potatoes are generally beneficial for a dog's health. They're well-tolerated by most dogs, even those prone to food allergies.

 

 

How Much Sweet Potato Can I Give My Dog?

Like with any other treat, moderation is crucial when it comes to feeding your dog sweet potato. If you choose to cook a sweet potato for your dog, it's best to provide it to them in small portions! If you have a toy dog breed, half an ounce (about 1-2 teaspoons) is a good place to start.

 

For a larger dog, one tablespoon should do the trick. Don't overdo it! If you do, your pup may experience some gastrointestinal issues since sweet potatoes are high in fiber.  It's wise to observe how your dog reacts to sweet potato fries the first serving before giving them more.

 

 

How Can I Give Sweet Potato to My Dog?

The best way for your dog to eat sweet potatoes is by cooking them at home yourself. You can prepare these vegetables in a few different ways. When preparing this treat, make sure you remove the skin first. Not peeling the skin only makes it harder for your dog to eat and digest. Plus, it could even be a choking hazard for some dogs.

 

To make it easy on your puppy, slice up the peeled sweet potato into bite-size pieces. Then, you can either bake, boil or steam them. Refrain from any roasting methods as it only takes away from its nutritional value. You shouldn't add any seasoning to the uncooked sweet potatoes since they're already tasty and sweet on their own. Seasoning can upset your dog's stomach. If you don't feel comfortable preparing it at home, opt for a store-bought option.

 

There are plenty of natural and low ingredient sweet potato treats that are good for your pup! HolistaPet offers CBD Dog Treats + Heart & Immune Care for those looking for new foods to give their dog a tasty snack. These CBD dog treats include sweet potatoes and blueberries to provide your puppy with a wide range of nutrients! The antioxidant boost from these ingredients promotes your dog's heart function. Plus, CBD may boost your dog's mood and mobility.

 

 

Can I Feed Raw Sweet Potatoes to My Dog?

Feeding raw sweet potatoes to your dog is generally not recommended due to the potential risks involved. Raw sweet potatoes are tough and fibrous, making them difficult for dogs to chew and digest, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas, or an upset stomach. Additionally, the raw texture increases the risk of choking, especially for smaller dogs or those prone to gulping their food.

 

While some dogs may tolerate small amounts of raw sweet potato, it's safer and more beneficial to feed them cooked sweet potatoes, as cooking softens the vegetable, making it easier to digest and allowing your dog to absorb more of its essential nutrients. If you do choose to offer raw sweet potato, be sure to monitor your dog closely for any signs of digestive discomfort or choking.

 

 

How Often Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Dogs can safely enjoy sweet potatoes as a treat a few times a week, but it's important to keep portion sizes appropriate and consider your dog's overall diet. The frequency with which you feed your dog sweet potatoes should depend on your dog's size, activity level, and specific health needs. For smaller dogs, a few small pieces of cooked sweet potato once or twice a week may be sufficient, while larger dogs can handle slightly more.

 

However, sweet potatoes should not make up more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake, as they are high in carbohydrates. It's also crucial to introduce sweet potatoes gradually into your dog's diet to monitor for any signs of digestive upset or allergic reactions to new food. Always ensure the sweet potatoes are cooked and free from any added seasonings, oils, or sweeteners, which can be harmful to dogs.

 

 

Final Thoughts - Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals for pups. They can help a dog's digestive system function better. Since sweet potatoes are whole foods, they pose little threat to the digestive tract and are unlikely to cause immune responses. However, it's crucial not to feed your pup any raw sweet potato since it can endanger their health and be a choking hazard.

 

Similarly, the vines from sweet potatoes are poisonous to canines. The best way to feed your pup sweet potatoes is by boiling or baking them without any extra ingredients. Treats are also another reliable option. See more about dog nutrition here.