Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Definitely yes! Sweet potatoes are not only delicious, cozy, easy to cook, and a favorite comfort food, but they are also a nutritious vegetable full of fiber and minerals!

I love them baked, cooked in stews, brownies, and Mexican black bean enchiladas—they are versatile, healthy, and absolutely amazing with onion and garlic powder! Sweet potatoes are also easy to share with my dog! Along with cooked pumpkins, they are one of the best foods for dogs with digestive issues and an upset stomach.

Are sweet potatoes good for dogs?

Dogs don’t need too much fiber in their diet, but if you follow the 90-10 rule, it’s all good (90% of the time, your dog eats their dog food, and 10% of the time, they enjoy treats and human food).

So, sweet potatoes are a really good source of fiber and can be really good for dogs. Along with fiber, they have minerals and vitamins that help their overall health and well-being.

Now, sweet potatoes are not a superfood, and while dogs can benefit from the minerals and nutrients in sweet potatoes, it doesn’t mean that you should give them sweet potatoes every day!

Another reason why sweet potatoes are good for dogs is because they are gentle on the stomach and can help with issues like gas or runny poo.

Can dogs eat cooked sweet potatoes?

Cooked sweet potatoes are the only kind your dog can eat! Raw potatoes are never a good idea, so please make sure that your dog can’t reach them.

You can also boil or steam them, but check the time so you don’t turn them into mush. However, you can turn them into mash, as dogs can eat mashed sweet potatoes! Just set aside a small portion without added butter, milk, or salt.

I know that a lot of people didn’t like sweet potatoes before they discovered how good they are with garlic and onion powder. If this is you, then please make sure that you don’t share those with your dog. While a small amount of garlic and onion powder won’t harm your dog, they can still irritate their delicate stomach.

Can dogs eat raw sweet potatoes?

Unlike regular potatoes that contain solanine, sweet potatoes are a totally different vegetable, and they don’t contain solanine—not even raw! So raw sweet potatoes are not toxic to dogs, and if your dog somehow eats some, there’s nothing to worry about.

However, you shouldn’t eat raw sweet potatoes, and your dog shouldn’t eat raw sweet potatoes either. They are hard to digest and will cause a mess in their stomach.

Also, there’s always a potential danger that they could choke on raw sweet potatoes or swallow a big piece and end up with blockages.

Can dogs eat sweet potato skins?

While there’s nothing toxic in cooked sweet potato skins, please keep in mind that the skin is tough and difficult to chew and digest! Large dogs can chew and manage them easily, but if you have a small dog, especially if he or she is a gulper, peel the sweet potatoes first.

Again, nothing bad will happen if your dog eats some—this is more to give you a heads-up in case your dog eats fast or has a sensitive stomach. On top of being a bit hard to digest, sweet potato skins are also rich in fiber, which, in large quantities, can upset your dog’s stomach.

Now, when it comes to raw sweet potato peels, please keep the trash away from your dog and don’t let them get into it.

Nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs

I often talk about the importance of giving your dog their regular food and then sharing healthy veggies and fruit with them as a treat. Even too much of a good thing is not a good idea. There was this case when a dog only ate sweet potatoes and ended up in emergency care for seizures due to thiamine deficiency.

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is important for energy production and must be included in the diet regularly. A 5-year-old Maltese Terrier developed seizures and trouble walking after being fed only boiled sweet potatoes for 4 weeks. MRI and blood tests confirmed thiamine deficiency. The dog’s symptoms quickly improved after thiamine supplements and a diet change. Two weeks later, follow-up tests showed a full recovery. Yay!

So, while sweet potatoes and other veggies we write about here are great additions to your dog’s diet, they can never replace dog food. Now, as a food topper, sweet potatoes can be an excellent choice for your dog!

Here’s why! Sweet potatoes are:

Is sweet potato good for dogs with sensitive stomachs?

Now, sweet potatoes are good, but pumpkin is definitely better for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The reason is that pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber, which firms up stools, and that’s why vets recommend it for sensitive stomachs.

A sensitive stomach means that your dog may experience gas, diarrhea, or vomiting when eating certain foods. If you have these issues, you can try pumpkins or sweet potatoes, but please talk to your vet first.

Can sweet potatoes help dogs with digestion problems?

Unlike pumpkin, sweet potatoes are higher in insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to the stool, making them a great option for digestion problems! Pumpkin also does that, but sweet potatoes offer similar benefits with their fiber. This is a great option if your dog has loose stools or difficulty pooping. Adding sweet potatoes to their diet will help them be regular.

So it’s not about whether pumpkin or sweet potato is better for dogs with stomach issues! Both are excellent choices, but cooked pumpkin is generally considered the top option for diarrhea or constipation due to its slightly higher fiber content. But sweet potatoes can also do the job.

How much sweet potato can a dog eat?

Your dog can eat a few tablespoons of cooked sweet potato mixed with or served alongside their regular dog food several times per week. Larger dogs can even eat half a sweet potato or more, depending on their other protein intake and the type of dog food they eat.

Can dogs eat sweet potato fries?

Now, let’s talk about everyone’s favorite – sweet potato fries! They taste amazing and go really well with chicken, burgers, and bacon. They are also great for meal prep.

When it comes to dogs, sharing is okay as long as you’re making oven-baked or air-fried sweet potato fries. Skip the garlic powder or other seasonings unsuitable for dogs, and don’t add too much oil.

Similar to French fries, dogs shouldn’t eat sweet potato fries deep-fried in oil, as too much oil can cause digestive issues and make them sick.

Different types of sweet potatoes and how good they are for dogs

There are several varieties of sweet potatoes, and each one has a different texture, flavor, and even nutrients! If you’re wondering whether dogs can eat these types of sweet potatoes, here’s the breakdown:

Sweet potatoes are a great vegetable. They are good for you and for your dog. They are also low in calories and can help your dog stay full for longer, so if you have a dog that eats maybe a bit too much, you can include sweet potatoes several times a week!

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat sweet potato baby food?

I’m not a big fan of dogs eating baby food, even though baby food should be the healthiest (in theory). If your dog ate some sweet potato baby food, check the label and see how much salt, sugar, and seasonings there are. But since we’re talking about baby portions, it’s probably pretty small, so there’s nothing to worry about.

Can dogs eat the skin of sweet potatoes?

Yes, dogs can eat the skin of sweet potatoes, but only if it’s cooked. Raw sweet potato skins are tough to digest and can cause issues.

Can dogs with pancreatitis eat sweet potatoes?

If your dog has pancreatitis, you need to follow the diet that your vet approved. But honestly, dogs with pancreatitis can eat cooked sweet potatoes—just don’t overdo it, as too much fiber is not good for digestion.

Can dogs eat frozen sweet potatoes?

Cooked then frozen sweet potatoes are a great summer treat for dogs, so you can make this for your dog!

Can dogs eat dried sweet potatoes?

Yes, dried sweet potatoes are a healthy treat for dogs. There are so many great sweet potato chews on the market designed specifically for dogs!