Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

We humans love our sweet potato fries, but can our dogs eat sweet potatoes too? Thankfully for everyone at home — especially the four-legged fry thieves we live with — the answer is yes. These root vegetables are loaded with 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 are 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 (also music to our human ears).

What’s In A Name?

While sweet potatoes are indeed called “potatoes,” they aren’t related to white potatoes (insert head exploding emoji here). And they do come in many colors besides the more familiar orange. 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. Although in the U.S., sweet potatoes are often called yams, the true yam is quite another root vegetable, one with a rough and scaly texture. In supermarkets, the names “sweet potato” and “yam” tend to be used interchangeably.

How To Add Sweet Potatoes To Your Dog’s Diet

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. So, they are a lot safer and definitely more nutritious.

Do not give dogs raw sweet potatoes, though; they should always be cooked. 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; freeze it so it takes longer for your pup to finish it!