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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, don’t 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.
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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 don’t 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:
While cooked, unseasoned sweet potatoes are fine in moderation, don’t 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.
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 pet’s food bowl.
Whether they’re mashed, baked, or boiled, sweet potatoes are fine for dogs to eat as long as they’re 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 dog’s regular food with a little sweet potato pureé 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 dog’s overall calories. The other 90% should be from a diet of well-balanced dog food.
When feeding your dog cooked, plain sweet potato, start slow—the 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:
Note that these are just general guidelines. It’s always best to check with your veterinarian before making major changes to your dog’s diet.
Some other veggies that are considered safe for dogs include: carrots, cauliflower, bell peppers, lettuce, zucchini, spinach, green beans, and tomatoes (though, fun fact, these are technically a fruit).