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Can My Dog Eat This?

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Add it to the list of healthy human superfoods pups can eat, too.

by Claudia Kawczynska
November 18, 2024
Various Veggie Chips in a Ceramic Blue Bowl
Gabriel Bucataru / Stocksy

It’s almost Thanksgiving, which means you may soon end up staring into some begging puppy eyes and wondering exactly what on your plate you can share with your hungry pup. If you’re doling out the sweet potatoes, we have some good news: Sweet potatoes are a dog-friendly snack, so you can feel free to pass your pup a spoonful.

Sweet potatoes are full of nutrients, such as the carotenoids, vitamin C and vitamin A, in addition to antioxidants and phytochemicals. They are high in pyridoxine, potassium, fiber, and magnesium. They’re also good sources of copper, iron, and manganese — all essential minerals for dogs that perform myriad functions in cells, from transporting oxygen to assisting in the assembly of proteins. All this, plus they’re low in fat.

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Are sweet potatoes actually potatoes?

Fun fact: Though we call them “potatoes,” sweet potatoes aren’t related to white potatoes — mind blowing, right? They also come in many colors besides the orange hue we’re familiar with. The Japanese sweet potato has a purple skin and yellow flesh, and its flavor is actually sweeter — something that dogs love — than the more popular orange varieties. It also is particularly rich in phytonutrients.

Sweet potatoes are often called “yams” in the U.S., but that’s not quite accurate, either. A true yam is a different root vegetable with a rough and scaly texture. In U.S. supermarkets, the names “sweet potato” and “yam” are often used interchangeably.

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How to add sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet

When it comes to giving your pup sweet potatoes, never feed them the snack raw. Sweet potatoes should always be cooked when served to dogs. Steam and mash them, then add a little to your dog’s normal meal. Steaming or boiling actually maintains more of their nutrients than roasting or baking does. Because they are rich in fiber, introduce sweet potatoes slowly.

Many homemade dog food recipes call for sweet potatoes, including this complete and balanced recipe for chicken and vegetables, or this one for homemade kibble. Cooked sweet potatoes are also tasty in a Kong. Pro-tip: freeze the Kong so it takes longer for your pup to finish!

One of the most popular ways to give your dog sweet potatoes is as dehydrated chews. They make a great alternative to rawhide chews — and unlike rawhide, sweet potato chews do not have a reputation for causing digestive blockages and choking. They are a lot safer — and definitely more nutritious.

Recipe for Sweet Potato Dog Chews

INGREDIENTS

Sweet potatoes

DIRECTIONS

  1. Thoroughly wash sweet potatoes; peeling them is optional.

  2. Slice the sweet potato into 1/4 inch slices by cutting down the middle lengthwise. If you have a mandolin, this is easy. You can also use a food processor with a slicing blade.

  3. Soak the slices in water for two hours, drain, and dry.

  4. Spray the slices lightly with olive oil; this can increase the absorption of beneficial beta-carotene.

  5. Dehydrate at the highest setting, 145-155 degrees, until done. Drying for approximately six-eight hours (or longer) will leave them with a chewy texture. For crunchier treats, dehydrate longer until the desired consistency.

  6. Store in an air-tight container.

Note: If you don't have a dehydrator, you can also use a stove with its door opened, set it at the lowest temperature, 115 degrees, and place the slices on a rack that will allow air to circulate underneath the sweet potato pieces. Drying can take 20 hours. If set to 145 degrees, it takes 12 hours. Be sure to check often.

Another recipe for sweet potato-based dog treats is this one for easy-to-make sweet potato chips.

Sweet Potato Chips Dog Treat

INGREDIENTS

Sweet potatoes

DIRECTIONS

  1. Simply preheat the oven to 250˚.

  2. Slice whole sweet potatoes into rounds: a 1/4” slice will create a crispier chip, and a 1/2” slice will create a chewier chip.

  3. Place on a foil-lined sheet.

  4. Bake for two hours, turning over once.

  5. Allow to cool on sheet. Store chips in an airtight container.

Claudia Kawczynska

Claudia Kawczynska was co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Bark for 20 years. She also edited the best-selling anthology Dog Is My Co-Pilot.

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