Sweet potatoes are a superfood chock full of many health benefits for humans. They’re loaded with vitamins and minerals and are generally considered a healthier choice than regular potatoes. Since they’re so beneficial for humans, you might wonder if sweet potatoes are something you should consider adding to your dog’s diet.

Dogs can certainly eat sweet potatoes, and, as it turns out, this root veggies’ health benefits do apply to canines, too. Keep reading to find some of the many benefits of sweet potatoes for your dog.

What Is a Sweet Potato?

The sweet potato is a starchy and sweet-tasting tuberous root vegetable. Despite the latter part of its name, it is only distantly related to the common potato as they’re both part of the order Solanales. The sweet potato is actually part of the morning glory family and is native to tropical America as they thrive in warm temperate climates.

Sweet potatoes are served as a cooked veggie and even make an appearance during the holiday season in many sweet dishes like pies and candied yams. Speaking of yams…read on!

Sweet Potato vs Yam

Though “sweet potato” and “yam” are occasionally used interchangeably, especially in North American supermarkets, sweet potatoes are unrelated to true yams.

Yams have a rough and texture dark brown skin, while sweet potatoes have a thin, reddish-brown skin. In addition, Yam skin is dry and starchy like a regular potato, while sweet potatoes have soft orange, white, or purple flesh.

Sweet potatoes are, as their name would suggest, sweet. Yams can have a mild sweetness, but most people consider their taste earthy and neutral. Yams need to be served cooked as they’re toxic when eaten raw, while humans can safely eat sweet potatoes raw.

The 5 Main Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Dogs

Now that you know what a sweet potato is (and isn’t), let’s take a closer look at why you should consider feeding them to your dog.

1. They’re Full of Antioxidants

There’s more to the sweet potatoes’ beautiful orange color than you might think. A powerful antioxidant known as beta carotene is to thank for that orange coloration and is the same antioxidant you might have heard about in carrots, tomatoes, and other leafy veggies. Beta carotene may provide protection against certain cancers and heart disease. It’s also great for your dog’s eye health, skin, teeth, and bones.

And, fun fact, dogs can convert beta carotene into vitamin A, an essential vitamin they need for proper nerve and muscle function.

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2. They’re a Great Source of Fiber

Fiber is an essential nutrient for dogs (and people, too) because it keeps the digestive system in check. It can be fermented into fatty acids by the bacteria in your dog’s intestine and may prevent any overgrowth of bad bacteria.

Fiber is also great for dogs who need a little help managing their weight. Obesity is the most preventable disease in North American dogs. Unfortunately, up to 30% of the canine population is considered obese. Foods high in fiber allow dogs to feel satiated while consuming fewer calories. Many vets may then recommend a high-fiber diet when their canine clients could lose a few pounds.

Dogs with diabetes can also benefit from a fiber-rich diet. Insoluble fibers will add bulk and slow digestion and carbohydrate absorption, promoting better sugar regulation.

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3. They’re High in Vitamin C

Sweet potatoes are very high in vitamin C, an antioxidant your dog needs to reduce inflammation and cognitive aging.

Dogs don’t rely on vitamin C as their metabolism can make it when provided with raw ingredients. This is why we don’t encounter dogs with human deficiency conditions like scurvy and likely why you don’t hear much about the pet food industry fortifying their foods with vitamin C.

So, while you probably don’t need to give your dog a vitamin C supplement, it never hurts to have a little extra in its diet from a natural source, especially if your dog is a senior or has a weakened immune system.

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4. They’re Rich in Potassium

Sweet potatoes are very high in potassium, with nearly 700 mg of the essential mineral in just one large potato. Potassium is a primary electrolyte for canines and is vital to their health. It aids in the functioning of the electrical charges in the nerves, muscles, and heart. Without potassium, dogs may feel sluggish or not hungry. In addition, they may start losing weight or muscle mass.

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5. They’re High in Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is an incredibly vital vitamin your dog needs for glucose generation, nervous system function, and hormone regulation. It serves a significant role in making hormones, proteins, and neurotransmitters. This vitamin may also help regulate the level of homocysteine. High homocysteine levels may be associated with cognitive impairment. Dogs that are deficient in vitamin B6 regularly have high levels of homocysteine in their blood, which may put their brains at risk.

How to Serve Sweet Potatoes to Dogs

If we’ve convinced you that it’s time to add a little sweet potato to your dog’s diet, you’re probably not sure where to start. So, let’s look at some of the best ways to prepare and serve this powerful orange root veggie to your pup.

1. Boil or Steam It

The easiest way to add sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet is by steaming or boiling them. Do not add any flavoring or seasoning to portions you’ll be feeding your dog. While roasting is a common way to prepare sweet potatoes for human consumption, boiling or steaming retains more nutritional value without raising the glycemic index.

Be sure to remove the skin before serving to make it easier for your pup to digest.

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2. Make Your Own Dehydrated Treats

It’s very simple to make your own dehydrated treats from sweet potatoes. All you need to do is slice a raw sweet potato into discs and place the pieces evenly in your dehydrator. Then, let the dehydrator work its magic for 24 hours for a tasty and crunchy treat your dog will love.

If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use your oven to achieve similar results. Dehydrate the discs at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. Then, flip over and bake for another hour. Finally, turn your oven off and let the sweet potatoes cool inside as it cools down.

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3. Buy Commercial Treats

If you don’t have the time or wherewithal to deal with DIYing dog treats, you can buy commercially made sweet potato snacks for dogs. For example, Hill’s makes a tasty beef and sweet potato dog treat that many pups love. RUFFIN IT’s dehydrated sweet potato and chicken wraps are another popular pick amongst dog owners.

Things to Know Before Offering Sweet Potatoes

There are some things you should consider before you pull out your vegetable peeler and get to work preparing sweet potatoes for your pooch.

Don’t Feed It Raw

While humans can technically eat raw sweet potatoes, most of us would choose not to. So, it should go without saying that you shouldn’t offer raw sweet potatoes to your dog, either. It can be challenging to chew appropriately when raw and may cause stomach upset. Larger chunks of this raw veggie can also pose a choking hazard, so it’s best to serve them cooked and soft.

Opt for Fresh

Canned sweet potatoes may contain sweeteners, seasonings, or preservatives that can do more harm than good for your pooch. Always opt for fresh potatoes in the produce aisle. Choose potatoes with smooth, taut skin and no visible bruising or cracks.

Consider Portion Size

Too much of anything isn’t good for your dog’s diet, and yes, that includes healthy food. For example, sweet potatoes’ high amount of fiber can cause stomach issues if you dog too much. In addition, baked sweet potatoes have a high glycemic index which can cause obesity or blood sugar spikes in dogs with diabetes.

Know Your Dog’s Risk

An investigation of pet foods by the Food and Drug Administration found there may be a link between grain-free dog food and cases of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM is a heart muscle disease that can cause reduced heart pumping function and enlargement of the heart. The alteration in heart function can cause severe consequences. Many grain-free dog foods use legumes like lentils and peas or potatoes as one of their main ingredients.

Although there doesn’t yet appear to be concrete evidence that there’s a link between DCM and sweet potatoes, you may want to read carefully if your pup is a breed that is at high risk of DCM. These include breeds such as Great Danes, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards. Speak to your vet before adding sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet to be on the safe side.

Summing Up

Sweet potatoes are a tasty and nutritious addition to any healthy dog’s diet. This superfood offers many health benefits and very few short-term risks. You’ll want to introduce this root veggie slowly into your dog’s diet to prevent any gastrointestinal upset, and be sure to feed it in moderation.

• See also: Can Dogs Eat Purple Sweet Potatoes? 

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Featured Image Credit: yuzu, Shutterstock