Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato?
Feeding your dog sweet potatoes as a treat now and then won’t be dangerous. You just need to ensure a complete and balanced diet for your fur buddy. Sweet Potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates but they should not be a dog’s main source of nutrition.
Today we will look at some considerations of giving sweet potatoes to your dogs. Let’s get started!
Benefits of eating sweet potatoes for dogs
Sweet potatoes offer an abundance of health benefits to your dog, along with tasting delicious. They are a safe, healthy, and natural treat for dogs.
If sweet potato is given in small amounts, it is beneficial for dogs. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of sweet potato for dogs:
- Sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber. They help the digestive system function more effectively.
- Eating sweet potatoes lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers in dogs.
- They are a good source of carbohydrates and are less likely to cause an immune response or digestive upset.
- Sweet potatoes contain Beta-carotene antioxidant that gives your dog protection against heart disease.
- Sweet potatoes are high in vitamin A that is essential for maintaining healthy eyes, muscles, nerves, and skin.
- They are low in fat and rich in vitamin B6, C, calcium, potassium, and iron.
Precautions while giving sweet potato to your dogs
Here are a few things that you must look at before giving sweet potatoes to your pooch:
- Sweet potatoes have moderate sugar content. If taken in excess, they can potentially cause GI upset.
- The natural sugar in sweet potatoes means extra calories. They are not suitable for overweight or diabetic dogs.
- Remember to control the amount of sweet potato in your dog’s diet. Feeding too much sweet potato can cause bone and muscle weakness, due to excessive vitamin A.
When feeding your dog sweet potatoes, make sure it is cooked and that the skin is removed. Some dogs will eat anything you put in front of them including the sweet potato peel. However, not all dogs enjoy the taste of a sweet potato peel. Do not add any seasonings to the sweet potato pieces you feed your dog.
Excessive amounts of sweet potatoes can damage the dog’s digestive system. You can consult your vet for a better idea of the amount of sweet potato that you add to your dog’s diet.
If your dog shows any signs of stomach upsets, you should take your dog immediately to the vet.
Remember, sweet potatoes should only be given to your dog in moderation. It is good for your dog but your furry friend might not be able to digest its excessive amount. This may cause some unpleasant side effects like an upset stomach or diarrhea.
Dogs are like kids and they rely on us for everything. It is important to understand that as a pet parent, you are responsible for the health and wellbeing of your dog.
The key is to offer sweet potatoes to your dog in moderation. Does your pup enjoy sweet potatoes?
Woof!
