A Sweet Treat - Can My Dog Eat Sweet Potatoes?
- Vickie Foster
- Mar 2
- 2 min read
Do you think your dog might have a sweet tooth? Maybe a little sweet potato in your pooch’s diet could be the answer. Most pups like the treat so much a dog meme for a sweet tooth might be sweet potato on a stick like a lollipop.
Sweet potatoes hold a powerhouse of health benefits for both humans and dogs. The tubers are a great source of dietary fiber. When dogs have fiber on a regular basis it lowers their risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.
Low in fat, and many essential vitamins, the nutrients in sweet potatoes play a role in your canine’s overall health. The vitamin A the orange veggie contains is important for maintaining healthy eyes, muscles, nerves and skin. While the vitamin C in one is important for a properly functioning immune system. Caution should be used with dogs that are diabetic or overweight as sweet potatoes are high on the glycemic index. You may want to check with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.
Preparing sweet potatoes for a doggie smile
Never feed your dog raw sweet potatoes or with the skin on. Both are hard for your furry friend to digest. Eating either of these can even cause intestinal blockage. To make the treat for your pooch: peel the skin with a potato peeler, cut into small cubes and boil until soft. Do not add any seasonings or butter and oils. Serve it pureed or just the chunks. Add only as a meal topper or a small treat.
It’s important to feed the treat at first in moderation with small amounts to start.
Some dogs can have loose stool, gas, or diarrhea if they eat too much sweet potato or if it’s introduced too quickly.
Below are some guidelines for how much sweet potato you can feed your dog according to weight.
Extra-small dogs (2–10 pounds) 1 tablespoon 2–3 times per week
Small dogs (11–20 pounds) 1–2 tablespoons 2–3 times per week
Medium dogs (21–50 pounds) 2–3 tablespoons 2–3 times per week
Large dogs (51–90 pounds) 3 tablespoons 2–3 times per week
Extra-large dogs (91+ pounds) 4 tablespoons 2–3 times per week
A pooch-pleasing sweet potato recipe
You’ll Need:
-Two medium-sized sweet potatoes
-Knife
-Potato peeler
-Baking tray
Instructions
Soak the sweet potatoes in vinegar to remove dirt and impurities and wash them with running water.
Peel the sweet potatoes with your potato peeler.
Slice your potato into slices—not too thin. The thinner the slices, the crunchier they’ll be.
Spread the potato slices on the baking tray.
Bake them at 200 to 250°F for about 2 hours.
Check the slices every 30 minutes and flip them to ensure even cooking.
Once ready, remove the baking tray and serve the treats.
Don’t let them sit in the oven for too long. Chewy treats are better than crunchy ones, especially for younger dogs. You can store any remaining treats in an air-tight container, but not for longer than 3 weeks.
Enjoy serving the new found veggie to your dog. He will love the variety in his diet.
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