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Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Dogs?

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Are sweet potatoes good for dogs? Many people will tell you that you shouldn’t be feeding your dog any human food, but that’s like throwing the baby out with the bath water. Especially organic foods can greatly benefit your dog, such as sweet potatoes.

They are a great source of dietary fiber and contain vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and beta carotene. Slice them up, dehydrate them and you have a lovely chewy treat for your beloved pet. Nowadays sweet potatoes are becoming even more popular than normal white potatoes!

What exactly is a Sweet Potato?

Sweet potatoes are classified as a complex carbohydrate and it’s a natural source of energy, minerals and vitamins. They originated in the Americas and must not be mistaken with yams. Yams originated in Africa and are usually found in specialty markets, not your local supermarket.

Back in the 15th century, when Christopher Columbus arrived, sweet potatoes were a staple crop in the Americas. He enjoyed them so much that he took a few back to Spain. By the 16th century the versatile potatoes had rooted themselves firmly all across Europe.

Recently the sweet potato has made a comeback, becoming almost more popular than the white potato. Sweet potatoes have more Vitamin C and A as well as more fiber than white potatoes.

Are Sweet Potatoes Good For Dogs? The Benefits

Sweet potato can be consumed safely by dogs and it can offer a wide range of health benefits. One of the main benefits is that it can assist your dog’s digestive system. You can also feed your sick dog sweet potatoes.

Rich Source of Beta-Carotene

A potent antioxidant, giving the potatoes its golden glow. In your dog’s body it will be converted to vitamin A. Studies have shown that it can reduce the risk of certain cancers and also offer protection against heart disease.

Good Source of Minerals

Sweet potatoes contain magnesium, potassium and manganese. They are also a great source of iron, calcium and zinc. Yet they are low in sodium. All these minerals have many vital purposes and promote good health. The potassium, for instance, helps to maintain the correct fluid balance in your dog’s body and preserve nerve transmissions plus muscle functions.

High in Fiber but Low in Fat

Their high dietary fiber content is one of the biggest benefits of sweet potatoes. When asking yourself “are sweet potatoes good for dogs?” you can rest easy at night when you know that you’ve assisted your dog’s digestive health with that chewy treat. And the good thing, sweet potatoes contain almost no fat. This combo makes them a healthy addition to your beloved pet’s diet.

Healthy Alternative

Some people feed their dogs white potatoes, but this is one human food you should stay clear from. They are cheaper than sweet potatoes, but have less nutritional value. Plus because they contain more carbohydrates, white potatoes can cause blood sugar problems and obesity.

As will all things, don’t go overboard, only add a little bit of sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet. It is also advised that you check with your vet to make sure that sweet potatoes are suitable for your dog. Here’s two recipes you can try:

Chewy Sweet Potato Snack recipe and Mashed Sweet Potato recipe

How to Give Your Dog Sweet Potato

Are sweet potatoes good for dogs? Definitely, but your dog might not like the taste or they could have a sensitive stomach, so you have to start with small amounts. If you want to mix it into their dry pellets, try steaming or boiling the sweet potatoes, whichever works best for you.

These two are the best methods to retain the nutritional value. Roasting is not advised. You can also dehydrating the sweet potatoes to create a chewy treat. The amount of sweet potato you add to your dog’s diet will depend on its size. Start with a teaspoon helping to a tablespoon. Increase slowly, otherwise it could cause gastrointestinal issues.

Handy Link: Top 5 best homemade dog food recipes

Other Dog-friendly People Foods

After settling the question “are sweet potatoes good for dogs?” you might be wondering what other human foods you can safely feed your dog. The general rule of thumb, add a little bit of the food to your dog’s diet and first check if your dog reacts negatively to it before incorporating it into your pet’s diet.

Fish

Especially oily fish such as sardines, anchovies or salmon are great sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. These good acids can help to prevent skin problems and allergies, as well as treat heart disease and arthritis. It could even help to improve your dog’s intelligence and behavior.

Carrots

A yummy treat that’s loaded with potent phytonutrients. Full of Vitamin A, C and K to offer a powerful antioxidant boost. Carrots can also help with your dog’s heart, blood sugar levels and vision. You can serve them either as frozen treats or add cooked carrots to your dog’s regular food.

Broccoli

You might be pulling your nose up just reading the name, but studies have found that this vegetable can aid to fight infections, has anti-cancer effects, can treat heart and skin problems, plus it helps to absorb drugs and excrete toxins. You can feed it to your dog either in raw or cooked form.

Kale

This vegetable offers maximum nutrition with minimum calories. It is also a cancer-risk cutter, great source of fiber, Vitamin A, C and E as well as calcium. Helps to prevent heart disease and contains various antioxidants. Chop it up thinly and sauté or cook it.

Warning: not suitable for dogs with bladder stones or kidney disease.

Beans

A great super food for your dog. Soybeans, garbanzo beans and black beans all provide natural fibers and can help to regulate blood sugar levels. If your dog is at risk of becoming diabetic or insulin-resistant, this could be a great natural treatment to consider. Beans also contain lots of minerals and proteins to boost your dogs’ immune system and help to burn off fat.

Quinoa

An ancient Incas grain that has lately been rediscovered. Mostly know because it’s rare that a vegetable can be a complete source of proteins. It can prevent cancer and heart disease, a powerful antioxidant and helps to reduce the risk of diabetes. Boil for approximately 15 minutes and combine with fish or any other meet, plus a few veggies.

Kelp

This exotic food became popular during the 1820s in England after Scottish Highlanders started kelping. It is known to be a miracle plant with various therapeutic properties. It’s a great source of minerals such as phosphorous, iodine, calcium, selenium and iron. Kelp helps to reduce arthritis pain, control appetite and aid in weight loss, strengthen the immune system and also to fight infections. Look out for it in powdered form to sprinkle over your dog’s normal food.

Conclusion: Are Sweet Potatoes Good For Dogs?

So if you were wondering, “are sweet potatoes good for dogs?” now you know that you can safely give your dog a little sweet potato treat every now and then. As long as you don’t give your dog too much of it and as long as your dog doesn’t have any unusual ailments, sweet potatoes are a good addition to a dog’s regular diet.