Why can t dogs eat sweet potatoes

By Isabella Storyclaire

last updated November 19, 2024

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Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Update: Recent research has suggested that sweet potatoes, while not poisonous, may not be appropriate for a dogs diet.

From the UC Davis School of Medicine: The U.S. Food and Drug Administrationrecently issuedan alert about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients.DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that leads to reduced heart pumping function and increased heart size. The alterations in heart function and structure can result in severe consequences such as congestive heart failure or sudden cardiac death. While the most common cause of DCM is genetic, on rare occasions other factors can also result in the condition, particularly in breeds that are not frequently affected.

It shouldnt come as a surprise that sweet potatoes are often found on lists of foods you should eat. They offer an abundance of health benefits, along with tasting delicious. But can dogs eat sweet potatoes? Yes, they can.

The health benefits are the same for canines as they are for people, says Dr. Rachel Barrack, a licensed veterinarian and certified veterinary acupuncturist at Animal Acupuncture in New York City.

Why Sweet Potatoes Are Good for Dogs

Sweet potatoes provide an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps the digestive system function more effectively. Eating fiber on a regular basis lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.

Because sweet potatoes are a whole food, they are less likely to cause an immune response or damage to the digestive tract, says Kathleen Standafer Lopez, a registered dietitian nutritionist. This is why they are a popular source of carbohydrate in commercial dog foods.

Sweet potatoes are also low in fat and rich in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, potassium, and iron (each play a vital role in overall wellness). For example, vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy eyes, muscles, nerves, and skin. And vitamin C iscritical for a properly functioning immune system. Studies have found that dogs, just like humans, show greater resistance to disease and have a better chance of recovery from injuries or illness when supplemented with vitamin C.

For dogs that are diabetic, overweight, or less active, owners should proceed carefully and only give their dog a minimal amount of sweet potatoes. They should be incorporated with caution in the diets of diabetic dogs, due to a high glycemic index, says Dr. Barrack.

How Should I Prepare Them for My Dog?

When feeding your dog a sweet potato, make sure its cooked and that the skin is removed; leaving the skin on makes it harder for your dog to digest. You should never feed your dog a raw sweet potato. Not only are they difficult to chew, but they can upset your dogs stomach and potentially cause intestinal blockage. Some dogs are known to inhale their food, so making sure the potato is of a soft consistency lessons the risk of choking.

How Much Can a Dog Eat?

Like with any food, moderation is key. The amount given should be based on a variety of factors, such as your dogs size, activity level, and overall health. Too much of a good thing can cause bone and muscle weakness, due to excessive vitamin A, Dr. Barrack stresses.

Carbohydrates, such as sweet potatoes, should not be a dogs main source of nutrition; animal protein should be a daily part of their diet, as well. When introducing any new foods, first talk to your veterinarian. If she gives the go-ahead, start with a small amount to see how your dog reacts.

As with human nutrition, canine nutrition should be individualized, says Standafer Lopez. Consult with your veterinarian before making any dietary changes.

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one

Potatoes are a staple food in kitchens all over the world. Hungry humans have been incorporating taters into meals for centuries, and there are countless ways to enjoy themchopped, sliced, diced, boiled, mashed, fried, baked ... the list is endless. Such a popular food makes it easy to wonder if dogs can eat potatoes, too.

Good news: Its safe for dogs to eat potatoes; theyre actually a popular ingredient in commercial dog food and treats. But even though potatoes are considered a safe human food for dogs to enjoy, there are a few things to keep in mind about how to safely share this starch with your pooch.

Are Potatoes Good for Dogs?

Dogs have specific nutritional needs that must be met through their diet, and that includes carbohydrates. Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and some vitamins and minerals. They are safe for dogs to eat when prepared correctly and fed in moderation.

What Potatoes Can Dogs Eat?

How you prepare potatoes makes a big difference on whether they're OK for dogs to eat. Generally speaking, cooked plain potatoes are fine for dogs. But potatoes that are fried or prepared with other ingredients like butter and cheese are not a good option.

Mashed Potatoes

When prepared without harmful ingredients such as garlic or butter, mashed potatoes are safe for dogs to eat. You can add a small serving of plain mashed potatoes to their regular kibble as a food topper the next time you make a batch for yourself. Just set aside some of the plain mashed taters before you add butter, salt, or cream to your own serving.

Baked Potatoes

Like mashed potatoes, baked potatoes are safe for dogs to eat if they're plain and have not been topped with any harmful ingredients (hold the cheese and sour cream!). Potato skins can upset your dogs stomach, so its best to peel them off before sharing.

Raw Potatoes

Dont let your dog have raw potatoes. Raw potatoes contain solanine, which can be toxic to dogs if ingested in large amounts. If your pooch tries to dig them out of the garden, consider adding a fence to keep your pup awayor else theyll likely end up with an upset stomach or diarrhea.

Sweet Potato

Sweet potato is safe for dogs to eat and is a great source of nutrition for your furry friend. Sweet potato is rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants. This tasty root vegetable can help regulate digestion and promote a healthy immune system. Boiled, mashed, or baked sweet potato in small amounts is a healthy treat for dogs, but steer clear of giving your dog sweet potato fries.

Fries

Fries arent good for dogs, since the salt and oil theyre prepared with can make your dog sick. If he sneaks one or two off the floor, your pooch will probably be fine. But too many fries could lead to pancreatitis or other long-term health issues, so be careful.

Potato Skins

Potato skins are difficult for dogs to digest, so remove the skin from any potato you share with your dog. If he gets into any peels from the trash or compost pile, call your vet, as the solanine in the skins can be toxic in large quantities.

Potato Chips

Potato chips are not good for dogs. Theyre high in salt, fat, and other harmful ingredients that can make your pooch sick if he eats too many. That said, if your dog sneaks one or two chips from your plate, hell probably be fine. Just don't give him chips as a regular treatespecially if your dog has any health issues.

How to Safely Prepare Potatoes for Dogs

If you want to share a few spuds with your dog, keep these tips in mind to ensure the potato is safe for him to eat:

Never feed your dog raw potato, potato skins, or any green or uncooked parts.
Always wash and peel the potatoes before cooking.
Avoid adding harmful ingredients like garlic, onion, butter, or salt.
Mashed, baked, or boiled potatoes are fine. Fried potatoes are not.
Only feed your dog potatoes as a treat or food topper, not as a main component of their diet. Dogs have specific nutritional needs that must be met, and potatoes alone dont cut it.

How Many Potatoes Can Dogs Eat?

Potatoes are a common ingredient in dog food and treats, so its OK to offer your dog cooked, plain taters as a treat or occasional food topper. As with any new ingredient, start slow. See how your hound reacts before giving him a full serving size.

Extra-small dog (220 pounds) = 1 teaspoon of cooked, plain potato
Small dog (2130 pounds) = 12 teaspoons of cooked, plain potato
Medium dog (3150 pounds) = 23 teaspoons of cooked, plain potato
Large dog (5190 pounds) = 12 tablespoons of cooked, plain potato
Extra-large dog (91+ pounds) = 34 tablespoons of cooked, plain potato

Remember: These are just general guidelines for how much potato is safe for dogs to eat. Always check with your vet before making changes to your dogs diet.

What Other Foods Can Dogs Eat?

Cooked, plain potatoes can be a tasty addition to a dog's diet in small amounts. Some other common human foods that are considered safe for dogs to eat include:

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Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

NOTE: Always check with your veterinarian first before giving your dog any new foods, especially people foods. What might be OK for one dog might not be good for your dog, depending on multiple factors, such as their age, health history, health conditions, and diet. Dogs on prescription diets should not be fed any food or treats outside the diet.

Sweet potatoes are a nutrient-packed staple for us humans. But what about our canine companions? If your dog is giving puppy dog eyes for your favorite Thanksgiving side, you may wonder if dogs can eat sweet potatoes.

Good news: vets give the OK when it comes to dogs and sweet potatoes! In fact, sweet potatoes are considered a healthy treat for dogs and offer lots of nutritional value for your pooch.

Just be careful how you go about introducing this fiber-rich starchy root to your pooch. Even though dogs can eat sweet potatoes, dont just toss them any old yam to gnaw on! Keep the following tips top of mind in order to safely feed your dog sweet potato.

Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Dogs?

Sweet potatoes can be a nutritional treat for our canine companions when fed in small amounts. This vitamin-rich carbohydrate is even becoming a common ingredient in commercial dog food and treats. As long as you watch out for extra ingredients that can sneak into human recipes (like butter, sugar, and molasses) and dont offer too much, these starchy root veggies are considered a safe dog treat.

Here are a few reasons sweet potatoes are considered a healthy snack for dogs:

High in fiber: Sweet potatoes are a good source of dietary fiber, which helps dogs with digestion. These special spuds are also considered a complex carbohydrate, meaning they provide a steady source of energy.
Good source of beta-carotene: Like other orange veggies (such as carrots), sweet potatoes contain high amounts of beta-carotene, which the body turns into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps dogs eye health, immune function, and cell growth.
Vitamins and minerals: Sweet potatoes are also a good source of other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, manganese, potassium, and iron.
Low glycemic index: As a source of carbohydrates, sweet potatoes have a relatively low glycemic index, which means theyre less likely to cause a spike in your dogs blood sugar. This can be beneficial for dogs with diabetes.
Antioxidants: Sweet potatoes contain antioxidants that may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Sweet Potatoes?

Cooked sweet potatoes are fine for your dog to enjoy as an occasional treat. Just be sure to avoid other ingredients that us humans like to add to our sweet potatoes, such as butter, cream, or salt, which can be dangerous for dogs to eat (and even cause pancreatitis in dogs).

Sweet potatoes that have been prepared with salt, sugar, garlic, or other seasonings that are not safe for dogs to consume should also be avoided. As with any new food that finds its way into your dogs bowl, moderation is key.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Sweet Potatoes?

While cooked, unseasoned sweet potatoes are fine in moderation, dont feed your pooch raw sweet potatoes. Uncooked sweet potatoes are difficult for them to chew and can be a choking hazard. They can also cause an upset stomach.

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato Skins?

Potato skins are not considered safe for dogs to eat because their chewy exterior can cause dogs to choke and even lead to intestinal blockages. Be sure that any sweet potato offered to Fido is cooked and that the skins (along with any stems or leaves) are removed before they find their way into your pets food bowl.

How to Safely Feed Sweet Potatoes to Your Dog

Whether theyre mashed, baked, or boiled, sweet potatoes are fine for dogs to eat as long as theyre cooked, peeled, and plain. Again, avoid any seasonings or extra ingredients that may be included in human food recipes, such as butter, sugar, or salt.

For a little extra flavor (and fiber), try topping your dogs regular food with a little sweet potato pure at mealtime. Or add a spoonful to their Kong or other food puzzle to keep their brains busy as they snack. Sweet potato is easy to mix in with other dog-friendly ingredients, and most dogs enjoy the taste.

Just be sure not to overdo it! Treats (including veggies like sweet potatoes) should only make up 10% of your dogs overall calories. The other 90% should be from a diet of well-balanced dog food.

How Much Sweet Potato Can a Dog Eat?

When feeding your dog cooked, plain sweet potato, start slowthe high fiber content in sweet potatoes may cause gastrointestinal upset. See how your pup reacts to a small amount before giving them a full serving size.

Here are some general guidelines for how much sweet potato is safe for dogs to eat in a day, based on their weight: