Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

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

November 21, 2023

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With Thanksgiving around the corner, you might be wondering which dinner staples you can share with your pup. Good news: When it comes to sweet potatoes, your dog can get in on the festivities. 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’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.

Are sweet potatoes actually potatoes?

What's in a name, anyway? 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 actually another root vegetable with a rough and scaly texture. In supermarkets, the names “sweet potato” and “yam” tend to be used interchangeably.

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Before you invite them to the Thanksgiving table, here’s what you should know.

How to add sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet

Do not give dogs raw sweet potatoes; 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!

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

Thoroughly wash sweet potatoes; peeling them is optional.
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.
Soak the slices in water for two hours, drain, and dry.
Spray the slices lightly with olive oil; this can increase the absorption of beneficial beta-carotene.
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.
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

Simply preheat the oven to 250˚.
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.
Place on a foil-lined sheet.
Bake for two hours, turning over once.
Allow to cool on sheet. Store chips in an airtight container.