Which is better for dogs carrots or sweet potatoes?

Can I Feed My Dog Sweet Potato? How to Safely Share the Flavor-Packed, Nutritional Treat

Ready to share your favorite flavor-packed treat with your dog? Sweet potatoes are safe and nontoxic to dogs, but there are a few things you need to know before you add them to their diet.

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Sweet potato is an acclaimed ingredient in all kinds of dog food—dry, wet, and homemade. This colorful and tasty root is often the plant matched up with a protein in prepackaged dog foods. The sweet potato also shows up in dog treats as an alternative to rawhide treats, which can pose a choking hazard.

But what about sweet potatoes or yams off the dining room table and in human food? Are sweet potatoes totally fine for dogs to eat? Can you feed your dog sweet potatoes every day? Here’s what you should know.

dog with a pattern of sweet potatoes behind him; can dogs eat sweet potoatoes?
Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / GlobalP / Getty

Sweet Potatoes Are Safe for Dogs

First, dogs can safely eat sweet potatoes or yams. If you see yams in the grocery store, these might not be «true» yams, but a soft variety of sweet potato that was conveniently called a yam to differentiate it from firm sweet potatoes. Either way, yams and sweet potatoes are nontoxic to dogs and cats, says Ahna Brutlag, DVM, with Pet Poison Helpline, an organization that answers potential poisoning questions for veterinarians and pet owners.

Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamins and minerals, and they show up on Pet Poison Helpline’s list of food that’s safe to feed pets. Some dog owners and cat owners even feed cooked or canned sweet potato or pumpkin for extra dietary fiber to constipated pets. Keep in mind, though, that extra fiber can sometimes cause diarrhea. Brutlag says that a pet-friendly dietary fiber supplement might be a more effective choice: «Your cat or dog would need to eat a lot of pumpkin or sweet potato [to manage the problem].»

When making changes to a dog’s diet, it’s always best to check with your veterinarian.

How to Serve Sweet Potatoes to Dogs

Steamed, boiled, or dehydrated, sweet potatoes can make a nice addition to a dog’s diet. Skin them first, as sweet potato skin can upset some dogs’ stomach. Because a raw sweet potato is big and hard, and some dogs have a tendency to wolf down their food, it’s recommended you always cook sweet potatoes and keep the pieces small.

Don’t feed too much of this tasty potato if your dog has diabetes or is overweight. Experts say sweet potatoes have a high glycemic index, causing blood sugar to rise quickly. If you add sweet potatoes to your dog’s menu as a treat, remember that additions like this should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog’s diet.

Can dogs eat sweet potato fries, sweet potato pie, and buttered sweet potatoes off the dinner table? Yes, but only in small amounts. The only issues with sweet potatoes, according to Brutlag, are too many calories and too much fat from tasty recipes with sweet potatoes.

«If an animal gets a large amount, say, from getting into the garbage and eating a whole lot, pancreatitis—caused by eating too much fat—would be something to watch out for,» Brutlag says.

One word of warning when it comes to potatoes and your dog’s diet: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported two years ago that some dogs diagnosed with the heart condition dilated cardiomyopathy (or DCM) ate commercially available diets that list legumes and potatoes (both white and sweet potatoes) as main ingredients. Check with your veterinarian before switching your dog to a new diet, especially if your hound was diagnosed with DCM.

Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Dogs?

Sweet potatoes are an excellent side for any meal. From baked sweet potatoes drizzled with butter and cinnamon to sweet potato fries as a healthy alternative, this food item is a great addition to your pantry.

If you enjoy sharing table scraps with your pup or like to make homemade dog food or treats, you’ve likely wondered whether your dog can enjoy this treat, too.

There are some human foods dogs shouldn’t eat, but there are many foods that are great for dogs. Navigating which foods are best for your furry friend can be a challenge, which is why we made this helpful guide.

Sweet potatoes offer many nutritional benefits for humans, but can our dogs share in this sweet, starchy treat? Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? This guide breaks down what you should know.

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? The answer is yes. Dogs can enjoy sweet potatoes in their diet as long as they’re given in moderation. There are some starchy foods like potatoes, legume seeds, peas, and lentils that can result in serious health conditions, so moderation is key.

Let’s take a look at some of the nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs and how you can incorporate this ingredient safely.

Nutritional Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Dogs

Sweet potatoes offer many nutritional benefits for dogs, which make them a popular ingredient in dog foods, treats, and more. Here are some of the reasons sweet potatoes are good for your pup.

Low in Fat

One of the benefits of sweet potatoes is that they’re low in fat. This makes it the perfect ingredient to offer a starchy texture to dog food without increasing your dog’s fat intake. Too much fat in your pup’s diet can lead to obesity and weight problems.

Rich in Vitamins

Sweet potatoes are also an excellent whole food rich in different types of vitamins, like vitamins
A, B6, C, and potassium.

• Vitamin A: Vitamin A is essential for your dog’s skin health, coat health, muscle health, and nerve function. It’s also important for fetal development and cellular function. Found in foods like carrots and sweet potatoes, vitamin A is an excellent nutrient for dogs.

Rich in Minerals

Sweet potatoes are also rich in a variety of minerals. Here are some of the top minerals found in sweet potatoes.

• Calcium: Sweet potatoes are packed with calcium, which is critical for your dog’s ability to maintain healthy bones, proper growth and development, and support overall health. Much calcium is found in dairy products, but since dairy can cause digestive issues in dogs, sweet potatoes are an excellent alternative source of this mineral.
• Iron: You can also find iron packed in sweet potatoes. Iron is essential for healthy red blood cells, metabolic function, transporting oxygen, and producing energy.

Great Source of Fiber

When it comes to fiber, your dog needs lots of it. Fiber is what helps the digestive process move along. Fiber supports gut health, the good kind of gut bacteria, and intestinal movement. It’s also necessary for preventing the growth of bad bacteria that can build up in the colon and digestive tract over time.

Fiber is also essential for keeping your dog at a healthy weight, supporting proper blood glucose levels, and much more. Many fibers are found in whole grains, but sweet potatoes are a grain-free source of fiber for your pup. If your dog is sensitive to grains, this is an excellent food to consider.

Things To Keep in Mind When Giving Your Pup Sweet Potatoes

While there are many benefits to giving your dog sweet potatoes or including this ingredient in their diet, there are also a few things to keep in mind.

Moderation is Key

Moderation is a critical practice to use when giving your dog sweet potatoes. Certain foods like lentils, legume seeds, peas, and potatoes can lead to a serious condition known as canine dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, when given in excess.

This disease can have serious health effects on the heart’s function, size, and ability to work properly. Sweet potatoes are an excellent nutritional food source for dogs, but limiting your dog’s intake of potatoes is essential for keeping them healthy.

Skip the Seasonings

Maybe you like your sweet potatoes with a size of cinnamon, or maybe you prefer a sweet and salty take on this snack. When preparing sweet potatoes for your pup, skip the seasonings.

Seasonings like butter, salt, pepper, garlic, and sugar can do more harm than good for your dog’s health. Not only can too much sodium lead to an imbalance in nutrition, but certain spices like onions, garlic, and chives can be toxic for dogs.

Whether you’re making homemade dog food, dog treats, or sharing some potatoes straight from your plate, it’s best to serve them plain.

Limit Sweet Potatoes if Your Dog is Diabetic

If your dog is diabetic or has issues with their blood sugar, it may be a good idea to limit their intake of sweet potatoes.

Why? Sweet potatoes have a higher glycemic index than other types of potatoes and other carbohydrates. In other words, eating foods with sweet potatoes can cause your dog’s blood sugar to spike after ingestion.

This may not be a concern for some dogs, but if your pup has diabetes or issues with blood sugar, it could pose some risks.

If your dog is diabetic, there are other foods that offer the same nutritional benefits as sweet potato. Chia seeds, for instance, offer an excellent source of fiber, iron, and potassium, while helping to regulate your pup’s blood sugar levels rather than increase them.

How To Give Sweet Potatoes to Your Dog

Here at Sundays, our dog food is curated with ingredients that are clean, complete, balanced, and packed with nutrition in every bite. Sweet potatoes are a great food for some dogs, but our formula is sweet potato-free so as to support every dog’s needs.

With foods like pumpkin, flaxseed, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, and other whole foods, our formula offers the same nutrients without the high glycemic index and risk for DCM. Learn more about our dog food formula here.

Sweet Potatoes for Dogs: Can They Eat Them, Are They Good? | Pupford

From fries to pancakes, to baked potatoes, to hummus, hashbrowns, cake, tater tots and more — sweet potatoes are the perfect multi-purpose treat that masquerades as a vegetable. Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? You bet!

Finding healthy (and tasty) alternatives to your favorite foods makes it so you can actually enjoy what you eat, while also providing you with the health benefits associated with these foods. Just like humans, dogs too want to enjoy the foods they eat. But you should be conscious of what you feed your pups to make sure that they are the healthiest and happiest versions of themselves.

Sweet potatoes for dogs are rich in many vitamins and minerals and they taste delicious, (among many other benefits) making them a great option to add to your pup’s diet.

Feeding your pups a high-quality diet is important for a number of reasons:

• Maintain a Healthy Weight
• Have a Healthy Coat and Healthy Skin
• Maintain Optimum Health
• Strengthen Your Pups Immune System
• Maintain Intestinal Health
• Keep Joints and Muscles Healthy

It is important to look at the foods and treats your dogs are eating to make sure that they have a healthy, well-balanced diet. One of our favorite additions is sweet potato.

Sweet Potatoes for Dogs Basics

Sweet potatoes are starchy root vegetables that are also complex carbohydrates.

What’s the Difference:

These two are often used interchangeably but are actually not even related. Yams are native to Africa and Asia and have a cylindrical shape blackish or brown bark-like skin and white, purple, or reddish flesh. They are starchier and dryer than sweet potatoes.

White Potatoes vs. Sweet Potatoes

This difference is easy to spot. Sweet potatoes are often used to replace their starchier alternatives — like white potatoes, rice, or bread. Compared to normal potatoes, sweet potatoes contain fewer calories, more fiber, and vitamins and minerals, which is why so many people have made the switch.

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes

It’s important to know that sweet potatoes are safe for your pup when eaten correctly. Giving your pup sweet potatoes raw, can be really hard on their stomachs. When consumed properly, sweet potatoes can offer many benefits and are a tasty snack to give your pup.

Feeding Your Dog Sweet Potatoes

Some of the best ways to give your dog sweet potato are to:

• Add small amounts of sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet. Steaming or boiling sweet potatoes is one of the best ways to help them retain their nutritional value. It’s also best to remove the skin, before giving this to your pup.
• Find that uses sweet potatoes in the recipe.
• Use as a treat. When treats are freeze dried, the moisture is removed from the food, without stripping out the nutrients. Plus, it keeps the flavors intact, so that they can enjoy this yummy, sweet treat.

Begin small when incorporating sweet potato into your dog’s diet. If you are adding steamed or boiled sweet potato to your dog’s food, depending on their size, somewhere between a teaspoon and a tablespoon, is the perfect starting point. Like everything, if you have questions about adding something new to your dog’s diet, we recommending talking to your vet.

While sweet potatoes should not be a main source of nutrition — as it is so important that your pup is getting all of the macronutrients for the day — it is a great way to mix things up for your pup. We don’t always want to eat the same thing, and maybe our dogs don’t want to either. This message brought to you by my dog, who started refusing to eat his food after having eaten it daily for the past few years. He stopped touching his food but would eat anything else that we gave him (and he is usually NOT a ). I noticed, that slowly introducing a new food got my dog more excited about eating and he was more inclined to listen to us.

In fact, dogs are more likely to want to obey your cues when they are given treats that they actually enjoy — go figure. If your dog is anything like mine, they will go through their list of tricks until they are given the treat in front of their nose. Oh, your dog isn’t that food motivated? Tell me what that’s like. Really, I’d like to know.

Dogs Can Eat Sweet Potato — Here Are the Benefits!

Low in Fat

Now, we aren’t talking about your mom’s sweet potato casserole she makes for , which is loaded with butter, milk, marshmallows, and sugar (but honestly, it’s heavenly). On their own, sweet potatoes are low in fat, making them the perfect addition to your dog’s diet.

High in Fiber

Sweet potatoes are high in fiber which helps your dog’s digestive system. If your dog suffers from diarrhea or constipation, making sure they get enough dietary fiber is of the utmost importance. Fiber is also important when it comes to colon health and maintaining a healthy weight.

Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamin A

Sweet potatoes are one of the best dietary sources of Vitamin A. Vitamin A is fat-soluble and is stored in fat cells mostly around the liver, and stays there until it is needed. Vitamin A is one of the vitamins your dog needs for a healthy lifestyle. Other benefits of vitamin A for your pup includes:

• A Healthy Coat — If your dog has a dull coat, or has this could actually be a result of Vitamin A deficiency.
• Normal Eye Health — I’m sure you were told as a child to eat carrots so that you can have good vision. Beta-carotene is the thing responsible for that and is also abundant in sweet potatoes. Beta carotene has been linked to improved . Vitamin A deficiency can cause low-light vision (or night blindness).
• Proper Growth — Muscles can deteriorate and your dog may feel weak if they are deficient in this vitamin. The amino acids in sweet potatoes help to maintain healthy, strong, and lean muscles.

Vitamin B6

Another vitamin that is vital for your pup is B6, it is water soluble and your dog needs if to metabolize amino acids. It is responsible for glucose generation, red blood cell and nerve cell function, hormone regulation, immune response, niacin synthesis, and gene activation.

Vitamin C

Unlike humans, dogs can actually synthesize vitamin C on their own in their liver, but it can offer additional health benefits. This antioxidant scavenges potentially harmful free-radicals and can help to reduce inflammation and cognitive aging.

Calcium

We are all familiar with the Got Milk commercials from years ago which focused on weak muscles as a result of a calcium deficiency. But calcium can also support hormone secretion, muscle building, and nerve transmission.

Symptoms of low calcium in dogs include:

• Muscle Twitching
• Panting
• Vomiting
• Low/no Appetite
• Fever
• Weakness

Making sure your dog has enough calcium is important for the overall health of your dog.

Iron

Iron combines with copper and protein to form hemoglobin — which is the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen. When your pup is deficient in iron, red blood cells don’t develop how they should, and anemia is one of the biggest side effects of an iron deficiency.

Potassium

Potassium is necessary for dogs for functioning muscles, nerves, and enzymes. It is also necessary to maintain proper fluid balance.

Low potassium can result in:

• Weakness
• Low Energy
• Muscle Cramps
• Stomach Problems

Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in energy levels at the cellular level. Magnesium facilitates the transfer of energy when they move a muscle, have a thought, or their heartbeats — so yeah, you could say magnesium is essential.

Manganese

This cannot be produced naturally in dogs, so you must look at your dog’s diet to help them get this important mineral. Manganese helps your dog to digest and absorb proteins and carbs they receive from their diet. When combined with other minerals, manganese can also assist in the healthy formation of skeletal muscle and in the optimum functioning of internal organs.

Pupford’s Sweet Potato Training Treats

Like we talked about before, giving your dog food and treats they enjoy will make a big difference when it comes to your training efforts. We know that training a new or old dog, can come with its challenges, but yummy treats can help as a high-value reward during your training.

Are:

• Low fat
• Excellent non-meat treat option for your pup
• Simple, whole food ingredient — you know EXACTLY what’s in the treat
• Less than 1 calorie per treat (.86 kcals per treat to be exact)
• Rich in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, potassium, and iron
• Should not be a main source of nutrition, but are a great way to mix things up!

They are the perfect addition to your pup’s regimen, especially as a And don’t forget our to help along the way as well. Buy a bag of .