Alice White
In addition to carbohydrates, sweet potatoes also provide numerous other nutrients that are good for the dog. Especially the high digestibility and the delicious taste make the vegetables popular on the diet of dogs. But is the dog allowed to eat sweet potatoes without hesitation or can these possibly harm him? We reveal what to look out for when feeding.
Sweet Potatoes for Dogs in Brief
Sweet potatoes are a nutritious vegetable that many dogs enjoy. In order for the dog to benefit from the nutrients it contains and to tolerate the food well, you should consider a few basic tips when preparing it. The vegetable is not well tolerated raw because it contains oxalic acid. The best thing to do is to give your dog boiled sweet potatoes.
Raw Sweet Potatoes Contain Oxalic Acid for the Dog
Contrary to what is often assumed, the sweet potato does not belong to the nightshade family like the conventional potato, but to the bindweed family. While normal potatoes contain the toxic substance solanine and must therefore be cooked before consumption, sweet potatoes do not contain solanine. However, they contain oxalic acid, which inhibits the body’s absorption of important minerals such as calcium and magnesium. For this reason, you shouldn’t give your dog any or very small amounts of raw sweet potatoes.
Cooked Sweet Potatoes are Well Tolerated by Dogs
If the sweet potato is cooked, it develops its sweet, intense taste and tastes much better than the raw vegetables. Just like the normal potato, the sweet potato is also a very digestible vegetable and is therefore suitable for sensitive dogs and dogs with intolerances or allergies. Sweet potatoes can also be fed as part of an exclusion diet. But be careful: the sweetness of the vegetables is due to the high sugar content. Dogs who need to watch their weight or who have high blood sugar should eat sweet potatoes in moderation.
Nutrients and Effects of Sweet Potatoes on Dogs
When eating the sweet potato, dogs benefit from numerous healthy ingredients, which make the vegetables an ideal addition to the menu of your beloved furry friend:
- Complex carbohydrates provide the dog with energy.
- The high fiber content contributes to healthy digestion.
- Antioxidants strengthen the immune system and protect against diseases.
- Beta-carotene is converted into vital vitamin A in the dog’s body.
- Potassium is important for the muscles and the liver.
- B vitamins, vitamin D, and vitamin C strengthen healthy body function.
How to Properly Prepare Sweet Potatoes for Dogs
Because dogs tolerate sweet potatoes well, there are now numerous types of food that already contain sweet potatoes. You can buy ready-made dry or wet food for your dog and give your dog a balanced diet. Of course, you can also prepare the sweet potato yourself. To do this, peel the tuber and then steam it in a small amount of boiling water without salt or other spices. To get as many nutrients as possible, puree the sweet potato with the cooking water. You can then mix the mashed potatoes with the feed, add it to a barf menu or feed it purely as a light food. When it has to go fast, sweet potato flakes for dogs are another alternative. The flakes are soaked and can then be mixed directly into the food without pre-cooking.
