Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Key Points

• Yes, dogs can eat sweet potatoes when cooked, peeled, and served in moderation.
• Sweet potatoes provide dietary fiber, vitamin A, and other essential nutrients for dogs.
• Dogs should avoid raw sweet potatoes and the plant’s green parts, which are toxic.

As you dig into a baked sweet potato covered in butter, sour cream, cinnamon, and marshmallowy goodness, you may be tempted to share a bite with the loyal pooch sitting eagerly beside you. But before you share a spoonful under the table, let’s hit the pause button.

Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? Luckily for them, dogs can have sweet potatoes in moderation. Unluckily, that butter-drenched and marshmallow-covered tot isn’t safe to share. On the plus side, this tasty root vegetable has a few health benefits for your dog, so long as you avoid those unhealthy toppings.

Let’s find out how to prepare sweet potatoes to keep your dog’s tail wagging.

Sweet potatoes are on the menu

As long as they’re prepared properly, sweet potatoes are a healthy addition to your dog’s balanced diet. That means the potatoes need to be peeled, cooked, and served plain. Many pet food and dog treat manufacturers even include sweet potatoes in their products. They’re also found in some limited-ingredient or grain-free kibble formulas for dogs with food allergies.

When it comes to processed foods made from sweet potatoes, practice caution. For example, unsweetened canned sweet potatoes with water as the only added ingredient are okay for your dog, but canned sweet potatoes with added sweeteners should be avoided. Also, avoid any type of “sweet potato casserole” with cream, butter, and added sugar, as dogs are not made to digest rich holiday desserts. Sweet potato fries and chips are also problematic.

Can dogs eat raw sweet potatoes?

Unlike white potatoes — which are in the nightshade veggie family and toxic if ingested raw — sweet potatoes are in the non-toxic morning glory family. 

Still, feeding your dog raw sweet potatoes may cause a belly ache or intestinal problems. For that reason, it’s best to serve them in their cooked form.

How much sweet potato can my dog eat?

Vets recommend that only 10% of a dog’s daily calories come from treats. So, an adult dog weighing 10 pounds needs 349 calories per day, which means they can have about 35 calories from treats. 

Cooked, plain, skinless sweet potato contains 15.5 calories per tablespoon, so this dog can safely have 2 tablespoons of sweet potato without exceeding their daily treat allowance.

The right amount of any food will vary based on your pet’s size, age, and health status. As with many other dog-friendly fruits or vegetables, sweet potatoes should be fed to your dog as an occasional treat, not as part of a regular diet.

Health benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs

Considered a whole superfood, sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and minerals that benefit the health of dogs and dog owners alike. 

But, it’s important to note that, because dogs shouldn’t be eating human-sized servings of human food, they may not get the full nutritional value of sweet potatoes.

Here are some key nutrients that sweet potatoes contain and the health benefits they provide:

Dietary fiber 

Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of fiber. Fiber is essential for keeping the digestive system functioning smoothly. If your dog has diarrhea or constipation, the fiber in sweet potatoes can help correct these problems. A high-fiber diet can also help overweight dogs shed pounds. Fiber lengthens the feeling of fullness after a meal, which can help dogs lose weight.

Antioxidants 

Sweet potatoes are loaded with antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent cell damage from stress, illness, and environmental toxins. The purple sweet potato (Stokes sweet potato) is higher in the antioxidant anthocyanin, while the orange sweet potato contains more beta-carotene.

Vitamins

Sweet potatoes contain vitamins essential for your pup’s health, including vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B6. These vitamins help to boost your dog’s immune system, regulate blood cell function and blood sugar levels, reduce cognitive aging, and promote healthy vision. 

Minerals

Calcium, potassium, and iron are necessary minerals for supporting strong bones, heart and muscle function, and red blood cell and hemoglobin formation. They also promote healthy digestion and maintain your pup’s energy levels.

Risks of feeding sweet potatoes to dogs

While many dogs eat sweet potatoes without incident, you should consider your dog’s diet carefully, as each dog’s health will vary. It’s important to monitor your pup after they try a new treat for the first time. 

Allergies and food sensitivities 

Sweet potato allergies in dogs are rare. However, allergies are possible with any new human food. When introducing sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet, watch out for symptoms of an allergic reaction like itchiness, breathing difficulties, or rashes. If necessary, your vet can perform allergy tests for your dog.

Candida or yeast growth

Sweet potatoes are a starchy carbohydrate, and once ingested, carbohydrates turn into sugar, which can feed yeast or candida in the body. Dogs with yeast or candida issues such as ear infections or excessive itchiness should be monitored for symptom flares.

Digestive upset

If your dog is prone to having loose poop, you may find the added fiber content from sweet potatoes firms the stool up slightly. On the other hand, too much fiber can also cause stools to become runnier. Start with a small amount of sweet potato to avoid any stomach upset. 

Diabetes 

Sweet potatoes are high in starch and considered a medium glycemic load vegetable. That means it can spike your pup’s blood sugar levels. For this reason, talk to your vet before sharing these spuds with diabetic dogs.

How to prepare sweet potatoes for dogs

There are so many ways to share a delicious sweet potato with your dog.

The following tips will help make sure your pooch stays safe when enjoying this healthy snack:

• Boil or bake, then mash, slice, or cube. These forms of sweet potato are the healthiest and easiest to digest.
• Use dehydrated sweet potato (preferably homemade) as a healthy alternative to rawhide chews. 
• Mix cooked sweet potato with other dog-safe fruits and veggies such as apples, strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, green beans, or bananas. 
• Add sweet potatoes to plain yogurt smoothies.
• Use as healthy training treats, as they’re low in fat and calories.
• Top your dog’s regular dry kibble or wet food with sweet potato cubes for a tasty surprise.

Should you give your dog sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes can be a nutritious treat for dogs — and it’s fun to see your pup perk up once they find a new flavor. As always, check with your vet before you add any new food to your dog’s diet.

For peace of mind, a pet insurance plan can offer financial assistance when unexpected vet visits arise. Learn more about how a Pumpkin pet insurance plan has your beloved pup’s back in case of future health incidents.

FAQs

Lynn Guthrie

Writer, Mom of a Fab Fur Fam of Five

Lynn is a writer and long-time Learning & Development Manager at a large PNW retailer. She's also mom to 3 dogs & 2 cats!