Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?



There are a lot of great foods we can give our dogs, not just to benefit their health but to reward them with a more scrumptious meal or treat. Without a doubt, sweet potatoes are definitely one of them. And they just aren’t one of our favorite vegetables; they are just one of our favorite foods, in general, to give to our dogs. 

Thanks to meals like sweet potato fries, sweet potatoes have gained quite a bit of popularity over the last couple of decades. This means they are becoming more popular in households across the world. But with this rise in popularity, many dog owners wonder about the safety of feeding sweet potatoes to their pets. They also wonder how sweet potatoes compare to the common potato? Let’s explore the benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs and determine the appropriate amounts to feed them to ensure they gain all the health benefits. 



What Are Sweet Potatoes?

Ipomoea batatas, more commonly known as sweet potatoes, are sweet-tasting tuberous roots that are native to the tropical regions of Central and South America. Sweet potatoes are now found and grown all over the world thanks to various explorers such as Christopher Columbus, who introduced Europeans to the delicious sweet potato. 

Interestingly, while sharing the name ‘potato’ with the common potato (Solanum tuberosum), they are distantly related. Sweet potatoes are more closely related to morning glories, bindweeds, breach moonflowers, and water spinach, while the common potato is more closely related to tomatoes, eggplants, and chili peppers. 

The Yam Vs. Sweet Potato Controversy 

It’s Thanksgiving, and it’s time for some candied yams. But wait, those aren’t actually yams. In pretty much every case, especially, when buying from your local everyday grocery store, you are actually getting sweet potatoes. 




True yams like sweet potatoes are edible tubers, however, they are much starchier, drier, and are native to Africa and Asia — they have a rough skin that resembles tree bark. While they are somewhat sweet, their sweetness doesn’t come close to sweet potatoes, which additionally offering a much softer and creamier texture compared to yams. 

For many, the only place where they can find true yams is in a specialty grocery store. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are becoming easier and easier to find, though the classic white potato still dominates in popularity. 



Can I Give My Dog Sweet Potatoes?

You can absolutely give your dog sweet potatoes! And when given in the correct amounts, it can have some big benefits for their health. 

Whether you’re looking to create your dog’s meals at home, need something to improve their digestive health, or just want a deliciously healthy treat to give, sweet potatoes are often unmatched. 



Sweet Potato’s Benefits For Dogs

Sweet potatoes are incredibly nutrient-dense for their low caloric content. While often that can result in a blander taste, that’s not the case with sweet potatoes that pack an exquisite sweet punch. 

Vitamin Packed

Sweet potatoes are a rich source of vitamins A, C, B6, potassium, calcium, and iron, so let’s explore what each can do for your dog’s health. 

Vitamin A:

Vitamin A supports your dog's vision, immune function, and overall cellular health, ensuring they stay sharp and healthy.

Vitamin C:

Vitamin C acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect your dog's cells from damage while supporting their immune system.

Vitamin B6:

Vitamin B6 is essential for brain development and function, aiding in the production of essential neurotransmitters that keep your dog mentally sharp and energetic.


Potassium:

Potassium helps maintain proper muscle function and heart health, ensuring your dog stays active and strong.

Calcium:

Calcium is crucial for bone health and development, helping to keep your dog's skeleton supported and robust.

Manganese:

Manganese supports bone formation and nutrient metabolism, playing a key role in your dog's overall growth and energy levels.

Iron:

Iron is vital for the production of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen in the blood, ensuring your dog has the energy and endurance they need for daily activities.

Antioxidants For Support Against Age-Related Diseases 

All mammals, from us to our dogs, create unstable molecules called free radicals that occur during normal cell metabolism. When they build up in cells, they can cause damage to other molecules, such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. This promotes several diseases, from cancer to arthritis to cardiovascular disease. 

Thankfully, we can combat that build-up by consuming antioxidants like beta-carotene. And you can probably guess which food we’re about to say is high in beta-carotene? You guessed it! Sweet Potatoes! Sweet potatoes are so rich in beta-carotene, that it gives them their robust orange color. 

Digestive Support

Like canned pumpkin, sweet potato is one of our favorite go-to’s when our dogs need help with their GI health. Especially, when it results in smelly backdoor issues, if you know why we mean (impacted anal glands). Sweet potato is a great source of fiber that not only supports optimal bowel movements, but its prebiotic properties are brilliant for nourishing our dog’s delicate microbiome. Every day, research is revealing how the health of the good bacteria that call your dog’s gut their home is essential to protecting them from several major diseases, from skin problems to bad breath to mood issues. 



A Better Alternative

Despite having a more attractive sweet flavor, sweet potatoes actually have fewer calories and carbohydrates than the common white potato. But don’t let those fewer calories trick you into thinking sweet potatoes lack fiber and other nutrients. In fact, for every 100 grams of potato, sweet potatoes provide 3 grams of fiber vs. 2.3 grams that’s in white potatoes. The only place sweet potatoes really pale in comparison to white potatoes is their higher cost. However, you reap greater nutritional support and flavor from that. 



Breaking Down Sweet Potatoes’ Nutritional Information 

Sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse, making them an excellent choice for your dog's diet. A medium baked sweet potato with skin packs around 103 calories, 2.29 grams of protein, 23.6 grams of carbohydrates, 0.27 grams of fat, and a healthy 3.8 grams of fiber, with 7.39 grams of natural sugars. 

In comparison, a medium baked white potato with skin has slightly more calories at 115, with 2.49 grams of protein, 26.71 grams of carbohydrates, 0.06 grams of fat, 4.6 grams of fiber, and just 0.81 grams of sugar. While both are nutritious, sweet potatoes shine with their high vitamin A, C, and B6 content, along with a good dose of potassium and fiber. This makes them a nutrient-dense alternative that supports your dog's overall health and well-being.



Best Way To Give Your Dog Sweet Potatoes

Whenever you’re looking to treat your dog to some sweet potatoes, you want to avoid sweet potatoes that have been fried or seasoned. You can boil ‘em, mash ‘em, or stick ‘em in a dog food maker like ChefPaw; just make sure they are plain and minimally processed at most. 

When given as a treat, you always want to follow the 90/10% rule, which states that all treats should only make up 10% of your dog’s overall daily calories. Generally, a single teaspoon for smaller dogs and up to 1 tablespoon for larger dogs is the general recommendation when giving sweet potatoes as treats. However, sweet potatoes can be a core ingredient in your dog’s main food thanks to homemade dog food makers. 

Speaking of pet food makers that allow you to create dog food at home that is optimally designed to your dog’s exact needs, we’ll have to be honest, they are our favorite way to incorporate sweet potatoes into our dogs’ diet. 

Sweet Potatoes and ChefPaw The Pet Food Maker

Using the ChefPaw Dog Food Maker makes it incredibly easy to incorporate sweet potatoes into your dog’s diet. The ChefPaw app offers over 25 suggested recipes, many of which include sweet potatoes, allowing you to create fresh, balanced meals tailored to your pet’s needs using raw ingredients.




Too much sweet potato, especially when given in higher dosages, can provide too much vitamin A and fiber that can take your dog’s digestive system by surprise. Vitamin A is essential, but too much can lead to bone and muscle issues. To ensure your dog gets the right amount of sweet potato and overall nutrition, the ChefPaw app customizes portions based on your dog’s age, weight, and activity level. This tailored approach helps prevent overfeeding and ensures your pet is receiving the optimal balance of nutrients for their specific needs.

So if you love the benefits that sweet potatoes can have for your dog, check out recipes:

Allergy Care with Turkey and Sweet Potato (Gordon's Grub) and Active Dog with Chunky Chicken + Sweet Potato and Brown Rice (The Freshest Pet)

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