Sweet potatoes are a healthy human food that dogs can safely eat. They've become popular in dog food recipes — in fact, we include them in many of our Jinx recipes, including our kibble and patés.
But, why do we love sweet potatoes so much here at Jinx? Are sweet potatoes good for dogs? And how much sweet potato can a dog eat? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this article.
Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Dogs?
As mentioned previously, sweet potatoes are a common ingredient in many high-quality dog foods. Why? Because they’re an amazing, nutrient-packed superfood. Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber, high in vitamins A, B6, and C, and contain minerals like iron, calcium, and selenium — not to mention beta carotene. Plus, many dogs love the taste — making them the perfect delicious and nutritious ingredient to use in our Jinx kibble, wet food, Chicken Jerky Tenders, and Beef & Sweet Potato Meal Topper. Keep reading to learn more about the many health benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs.
Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes For Dogs
Sweet potatoes are one of the healthiest veggies you can feed your pup (or yourself). They’re full of essential vitamins and nutrients to support a strong immune system and overall health, including:
Potassium
Did you know that just one sweet potato contains about 700 mg of potassium? Potassium is an electrolyte that your dog needs for a healthy heart, nerves, and muscles. Low levels of potassium in dogs can cause fatigue or a lack of appetite — so make this potassium-rich superfood a regular part of your pup’s diet.
Vitamins
Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins, including: vitamin A to support your dog's immune system, and Vitamin B6 to support hormone regulation, nervous system functioning, and a healthy coat.
Antioxidants
Sweet potatoes are also high in antioxidants like Vitamin C and manganese. Vitamin C can help support a healthy inflammatory response and slow cognitive aging, while manganese is important for dogs to grow healthy bones and joint cartilage. Both of these antioxidants protect the cells in your dog's body from free radicals that can cause illness or infections.
Beta-Carotene
Sweet potatoes get their orange coloring from beta carotene, another antioxidant that’s essential to dog’s diets. It's important for healthy skin, fur, and eyes, as well as for fighting off diseases and infections — including certain types of cancer.
Calcium
Sweet potatoes also contain calcium, which is necessary for dogs to grow strong bones and teeth. Calcium also prevents heart disease, and helps your pup maintain a healthy nervous system. Signs of low calcium levels in dogs might be weakness or loss of appetite — if you see these symptoms in your dog, contact your vet.
Healthy Carbohydrates
Every dog needs healthy carbs, and sweet potatoes are a great source of them. Carbohydrates are a form of dietary fiber that provides energy for dogs and supports digestive function.
Just keep in mind: dog parents who have pups with high blood sugar or who struggle with obesity should be careful when adding extra carbs to their dog’s diet (but these dogs can still enjoy sweet potatoes in moderation).
Fiber
Fiber is important for dogs to maintain digestive and gastrointestinal health and prevent constipation. Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber — in fact, baked sweet potatoes contain more than twice the fiber of regular white potatoes, while also being a lot less starchy.
How to Serve Sweet Potatoes for Dogs
When fed in the right form and the right amount, sweet potatoes can be a super healthy addition to your dog's diet. The key is how they're prepared.
It's safe to give your dog boiled, baked, or steamed sweet potatoes — just make sure that they're peeled, fully cooked, soft, and served plain. You can cut the sweet potatoes into small, bite-sized cubes, or mash them up with a fork and serve them as a treat or as a meal topper over your dog’s food.
Never feed your dog sweet potatoes (or any food) with added spices, sugars, or additives like onions or garlic — these extra ingredients could be harmful to your pup. This also means that you should avoid serving your dog any sweet potatoes from your Thanksgiving dinner. The added cooking oils, spices, sugar, and increased fat content could cause your pup to get an upset stomach or diarrhea.
How much sweet potato can a dog eat? Well, too much of any food can give your dog tummy troubles and put them at risk of weight gain — so when feeding sweet potatoes to your little buddy, it’s important to do so in moderation.
Ask your vet about the right amount of sweet potato for your dog, and how often you can serve it. A simple guideline is to feed small dogs no more than a teaspoon of mashed sweet potato at a time, while larger dogs can get a tablespoon or two.
Also keep in mind the “10% rule” for treats or snacks. Treats — however healthy they may be — should make up no more than 10% of your dog's overall diet. The other 90% should come from a well-balanced dog food.
If you don’t want to cook or worry about getting the portion sizes just right, one of the easiest ways to incorporate sweet potatoes into your dog’s diet is to feed them a dog food that contains this superfood as an ingredient, like our Jinx kibble and paté wet food.
FAQs
Can Dogs Eat Raw Sweet Potatoes?
While sweet potatoes are safe for dogs, they should ideally be cooked before being given to your pup. Raw sweet potatoes can be tough for dogs to digest, and may cause an upset stomach.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat cooked sweet potatoes — this is actually the best way for pups to consume them! Cooking sweet potatoes makes them easier to digest, and also enhances some of their nutritional benefits. Just be sure to give your dog plain, cooked sweet potatoes without any seasonings or added ingredients.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato Skin?
Sweet potato skin isn't toxic to dogs — but it can be difficult to digest, especially when it's raw. It's a good idea to peel sweet potatoes before cooking and serving them to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Sweet Potatoes?
Canned sweet potatoes are generally safe for dogs to eat — as long as they're not packed in syrup, and don’t contain any added sugars or spices. Always check the label before feeding canned sweet potatoes to your dog.
Can Puppies Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, puppies can eat sweet potatoes, but as with adult dogs, moderation is key. A small amount of sweet potato won't hurt your puppy, but keep in mind that their gut is more sensitive than that of an older dog. It’s best to limit treats, and to start small when introducing your puppy to new foods like sweet potatoes.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato Fries?
Since they're typically fried in oil and may contain other seasonings that aren't healthy for dogs, sweet potato fries aren’t an ideal snack for your dog. Eating one or two won’t hurt your pup, but cooked, plain sweet potato makes a much better treat for your canine companion.
At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love. Treat your dog to our pup-approved kibble recipes, Beef & Sweet Potato Topper or Dental Chews (all of which are made with vitamin-rich sweet potatoes!) today.