All you need to know about Sweet Potato for dogs

Sweet potato for dogs is a natural food full of nutrients. It is always a healthy treat. Sweet potato is completely safe and added in the dog food. Dogs love its slightly sweet flavor. Sweet potatoes have loads of vitamins like vitamin C, A and B6. Sweet potato is high in fiber content and is one of the best ingredients for doggy diet food. It also has low fat ratio and is never a bad choice for dogs.

Things to know about Sweet Potato for Dogs:

When feeding sweet potato to your dog, beware of following things:

  • They should be cooked well.
  • Skin must be properly peeled off.
  • They should be given in small measured quantities because excess may cause problems.
  • Don’t ever feed raw sweet potatoes to your dog as they can cause blockage or digestive problems.
  • You can bake or boil sweet potatoes for your dog.
  • Must not be given regularly but can be fed on alternative days as a treat.

SUMMERY:

  1. Can I give sweet potato to my dog daily?
  2. How much sweet potato can I give my dog?
  3. Can my dog have cooked sweet potato?
  4. Which is better for dogs pumpkin or sweet potato?
  5. Can dogs eat sweet potato skin?
  6. Sweet potato for dogs with pancreatitis.
  7. Sweet potato for dogs with diarrhea.
  8. Sweet potato for dogs with constipation.
  9. Sweet potato for dogs recipe.
  10. Dog sweet potato treats.
  11. Roast sweet potato for dogs.
  12. Sweet potato dog cake.
  13. Dehydrated sweet potato for dogs.
  14. Baby food sweet potato for dogs.
  15. Raw sweet potato for dogs.
  16. Purple sweet potato for dogs.
  17. Sweet potato for dogs benefits.
  18. Conclusion.

Can I give sweet potato to my dog daily?

No, never make it a habit. As we all have heard a phrase that everything in excess is not good, in the same way giving your dog sweet potatoes every day is not healthy. Sweet potatoes or recipes with sweet potatoes should be given to the dogs on every alternative day. They should not be a part of regular diet and they should be fed to the dogs in the form of treats.

If given regularly in large quantities, a good healthy thing can trigger energies and the dogs can also become intolerant to a certain food if given regularly.

How much sweet potato can I give my dog?

Some think that small dogs should be served not more than one teaspoon while larger dogs can have a maximum of one tablespoon of sweet potato. In a nutshell, the sweet potatoes can only be served in small quantities. Every dog should not be given more than one ounce of the sweet potato in every serving.

Heavy breed dogs should be given not more than two to three tablespoons of sweet potato. Initially, these breeds start with just half ounce per serving however the larger dogs can have more amount if their body can tolerate it easily and do not have any negative effects on their digestive system.

Can my dog have cooked sweet potato?

Yes absolutely! Always feed your hound with cooked sweet potatoes and make sure they are properly cooked and peeled off. All the hard skin should be removed so that the dog can ingest easily. Sweet potatoes should never be served as raw to the dogs as they can cause chewing problems for dogs and can also cause constipation and/or digestive blockage.

Which is better for dogs pumpkin or sweet potato?

On comparing sweet potato and pumpkin, the pumpkins gain the edge due to more benefits, less sugar and more digestive value in diarrhea. Pumpkin and sweet potato for dogs are similar in a sense that both of them have the same nutritional qualities and one can be used as an alternative for another. Pumpkin and sweet potato is mostly used as a food for the sick dogs with digestive issues as it is considered as light food that can be easily digested.

Pumpkin for dogs:

Pumpkin is very good for dog’s digestive system. Raw pumpkins will never work, however you can give just a few tablespoons of canned one. Following is the nutritional value of pumpkin for dogs.

  • Carbohydrates.
  • Vitamin A, potassium and other nutrients.
  • Water.
  • Extremely low caloric food.
  • Less sugar.

It is very good for recovering pets mostly from injuries, weakness or any illness. It is considered very light weight food and has less sugar so can be given to diabetic dogs.

Sweet potato for dog:

Sweet potatoes are mostly used not as a proper food but either part of the food recipes or a treat for dogs. Doggies find sweet potato treats very tasty. Sometimes sweet potatoes are boiled and mashed into balls and then frozen. Most of the dogs love these veggie treats. They are less in calories but have more sugar so not appropriate for the diabetic dogs. Canned sweet potatoes are never ever recommended for dogs.

Can dogs eat sweet potato skin?

Yes! if potato skin is cooked they can eat it in small quantities but eating in large quantities can damage dog’s kidneys as they have oxalates which can cause kidney stones. So, large quantities can be very dangerous for dogs. Although, the skin of sweet potato is not as such dangerous or toxic for dogs but it is quite hard and dogs find it very difficult to chew it and when gone in stomach it can never be easily digested and can cause constipation or blockage. It can also cause choking, specially small breed dogs find it very difficult to digest.

Sweet potato for dogs with pancreatitis:

Sweet potatoes can be given to the dogs with pancreatitis but their skins should be properly peeled off as the sweet potato also contains large amount of antioxidants therefore it can be given to dogs.

Dogs suffering from pancreatitis should be kept on:

  • low meat and fiber foods.
  • more fiber filled food as they can work great in soothing their pancreatitis.
  • Lighter food, low in fats and easy to digest as dogs in this disease mostly have almost nill appetite and sweet potato are a great choice in this regard.

Along with that, sweet potatoes contain such minerals and vitamins that fight with cancer cells. They contain carotenoids that are phytochemicals (produced from plants) which repress the cell growth and resist cancerous cells.

Sweet potato for dogs with diarrhea:

Sweet potatoes work great for doggies suffering from diarrhea. They are enriched with dietary fibers. Fiber is the most essential component for keeping up the digestive health of the dogs. If the dog is suffering from diarrhea or loose stools, then sweet potatoes are definitely one of the best things to be given.

In some cases this may happen that your dog may be intolerant to sweet potato or might have allergy, so in that case sweet potato can cause diarrhea. Therefore, such dogs must be kept in check before giving a specific food. Sweet potato may also help in firming up the loose stool in hounds because the accumulation of fibers in the rectum causes stool to firm up.

Sweet potato for dogs with constipation:

Any thing that is high in fiber is considered as an antidote to constipation. Constipation in dogs can be mostly caused by meaty meals that are mostly high in fats and are unhealthy. Sweet potato is one of the two major vegetables that are rich in fibers. Fibers help in dog’s bowel movement. They also help in maintaining a balanced stool consistency not too loose nor too firm so that the dog can pass out stool easily.

If a measured amount of sweet potato is given to the dogs and in the case of constipation if all the extra meals are cut down and treats are forbidden for few days and only fiber enriched vegetables like sweet potato are served, then stool will start improving within a few days definitely.

Sweet potato for dogs Recipe:

Sweet potato is one of the main ingredients for all the dog foods prepared but they must be offered in a limited calculated amount. But sometimes the sweet potatoes can be given alone in the form of treats or cubes. For that, sweet potato are cut into cubes and the skin is peeled off then it is boiled in water for almost 20 minutes and after they are boiled, they are taken out and mashed properly. Mostly, sweet potato is used in collaboration with other dog food ingredients like it is amalgamated with chicken brown rice, apples etc and its called chicken and sweet potato recipe.

Dog sweet potato treats:

Sweet potato is one of the ideal treat for dogs. It is safe and healthy, all natural and rich in fibers, antioxidants, vitamins A, C and b6. It also is low in fats and calories. Mostly, sweet potato treats are made of four major ingredients:

  • One sweet potato.
  • Wheat flour.
  • 2 eggs.
  • Unsweetened apple sauce.

The total preparation time for these treats is around 30 minutes and it can make a total of 32 servings. Mix all the ingredients and make a dough and cut it into different shapes and bake them in the oven. Your sweet potato treats are ready.

These home made treats are not only healthy but they are full of nutrition, have no harmful additives or preservatives and are pocket friendly too. Once the treats are ready, they can be stored in an airtight jar and can go on for several weeks.

Roast sweet potato for dogs:

Roasted sweet potatoes are actually oven baked potatoes. They are tender and sweet and also a bit caramelized from outside edges. There is no need of boiling sweet potatoes before roasting. Even the picky eater dogs love these sweet potato roasted wedges. They can be prepared in 20 to 30 minutes and one of the biggest benefits of the roasting is that they will never lose their goodness and nutrients.

Sweet potato Dog Cake:

Sweet potato cupcakes are yummy and irresistible for pups. These cupcakes are made up of coconut oil, sweet potatoes, eggs and oats along with some toppings. Some dogs might be allergic to some other ingredients and you must be aware of that. The recipe Includes:

  • Mashed sweet potatoes (almost 3/4th of a cup).
  • 1/4th cup of peanut butter.
  • One egg.
  • 1/4th cup of coconut oil.
  • 1/2 tsp of baking powder.
  • Cinnamon powder one pinch.
  • Salt according to taste.
  • Then add oat flour by grinding the simple oats into powder form.

Mix all the ingredients into a batter and then bake at 350 degrees for around 15 minutes and your pups cupcakes are ready! To prepare its frosting, combine mashed sweet potato almost 1 cup, add one fourth cup of greek yogurt and then add pudding mix that is around one eighth. Mix them thoroughly with a mixer and then pour into a pastry bag. Just smear it all over your cakes and yummy delicious pup cakes are ready.

Dehydrated sweet potato for dogs:

Raw sweet potato when cut and dehydrated completely can also be used as a great treat and chews for dogs. Raw sweet potatoes can be dehydrated by keeping them away from moisture and water in a cool dry place where all their moisture leaves them. They can also be ground into powder and used in food and bread making. But their color may not remain the same when dehydrated and they may also not be easily chew-able and digestible by some pups.

The sweet potatoes can be dehydrated in two ways:

In the oven:

In the oven, dehydration will take 3 hours minimum.

In a dehydrator machine:

In a dehydrator machine at 135 degrees Fahrenheit, it may take 6 to 7 hours depending on the thickness of the slices. If the slices are thin, then they will take lesser time. In the dehydrator, just put the slices on the racks and set the temperature.

If you want more crunchy slices then dehydrate or bake them more. These dehydrated sweet potatoes can easily be stored once baked or dehydrated. Just let them cool down and keep them in an airtight container and you can use them for 2 to 3 weeks.

Apart from that, raw sweet potatoes when dried have all the nutrients intact and are amazing and healthy source of energy for dogs. As per reviews, raw dehydrated sweet potatoes are well-liked by most of the dogs.

Baby food sweet potato for dogs:

Dogs love baby food. They like what human babies eat and therefore they love eating oats, porridge, puree etc. Baby foods are full of energy. They contain carbohydrates, proteins and fibers. So baby food can also be an assistant to dog’s digestive problems.

Baby food also includes sweet potato puree. It has a very simple recipe that includes just one ingredient that is sweet potato. Simply roast or steam or boil the sweet potato. Once cooked, add some milk to prepare its puree. Make sure not to add ingredients like garlic or onion as they are toxic for dogs. Also if your dog is diabetic, then this sweet potato baby food is not a suitable option. This baby food pureed sweet potato is very helpful when a dog is sick and cannot chew or eat solid food. It is soft and is extremely light and helps in digestion. However, dogs should not be made completely dependent on baby food. It is just an option which can be availed fewer times.

Raw sweet potato for dogs:

Raw sweet potato is never a good food for dogs. This is because:

  • It is hard and can not be chewed with the skin on.
  • It is also not good for stomach.
  • Eating raw sweet potato can cause rectum blockage.
  • Some dogs don’t chew their food so in case of raw sweet potato, there can be a high risk of choking.
  • Raw sweet potatoes have excessive fiber and with fiber in the skin also included may cause digestive problems.


Purple sweet potato for dogs:

Purple sweet potatoes are generally purple in color. Eating purple sweet potatoes are also good for dogs as they have more nutrition than the simple sweet potatoes. Following is the nutritional value of purple sweet potato for dogs:

  • Full of antioxidant qualities.
  • Extremely good for diabetic pups as they have a very low glycemic level which means it has low sugar content and it also helps in diabetes prevention.
  • Have anthocyanin antioxidant which is extremely good for pups health.
  • It also contains phytonutrients that are disease preventing nutrients, thus purple sweet potato is a game changer ingredient.

If you are thinking to replace it with yellow sweet potato for your curb, then it will be the best replacement ever.

Sweet potato for dogs benefits:

There are many health benefits associated with sweet potato for dogs.

They include:

High dietary fiber:

Considered one of the best fiber filled vegetable that helps in keeping the digestive system healthy.

Antioxidants:

Large amount of antioxidants present that prevent multiple diseases.

Vitamin A:

Full of vitamin A, which helps in hair growth, good skin and dog coat. It also aids in the development of muscles and nerve system.

Vitamin C:

They are a good source of vitamin C that helps in growth and wound healing. It also aids in the absorption of Iron.

Vitamin B6:

It supports in the metabolism of protein.

Potassium:

Helps the working of muscles and is good for heart. It also has low fats, high proteins and carbohydrates. Just natural sugars with a simple sweet tasty flavor. Dogs love sweet potato treats. It contains beta carotene, an antioxidant present in sweet potato that prevents cancer and kills cancerous cells. They provide healthier alternatives for dogs.

Conclusion:

To conclude, sweet potato is extremely beneficial for dogs if given in measured quantity and if fed with care. It has a lot of health benefits for dogs and it can be used as a healthy alternative for processed food. Sweet potato has antioxidant qualities along with immunity boosting vitamins. Thus sweet potato is one of the best fiber filled food for the dogs which should be offered on alternative days.

Also check out:

Brown Rice for Dogs

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