Can Dogs Eat Yams?
Yams are a pretty simple, nutritious, and versatile vegetable. The good news is that dogs can eat them! Dogs can eat cooked yams as part of their regular meals or as a treat, but it’s important to make a portion specifically for them, without the butter and fancy seasonings (which, by the way, make yams fun for us).
Can dogs eat yams or sweet potatoes?
Now, this is an interesting story—you may have noticed that we often think of different things when we talk about yams and sweet potatoes. In the U.S., what’s usually called “yams” are actually sweet potatoes! But true yams are not sweet potatoes—they are a totally different vegetable.
True yams have dark brown, rough skin (like wood), and inside, they are white, though they can also be purple, as there are different types of yams. They are cooked in savory dishes, and you wouldn’t use them in brownies, for example, like you would a sweet potato. Also, yams are much larger than sweet potatoes, though they can vary. In the supermarket, you’ll usually find them in the international section as they come from parts of Asia and Africa.
On the other hand, sweet potatoes are what most Americans call “yams.” They have thin, smooth, edible skin and bright orange flesh. They taste mostly like pumpkin, and we can bake, roast, or use them to make brownies and pies, as I mentioned earlier.
I can’t speak for every supermarket, but when you’re buying “yams” in the U.S., you’re probably buying sweet potatoes. Let me know in the comments what you think about this!
I’ve already written about whether dogs can eat sweet potatoes, so this article is all about yams. But not the American “yams” you find in most grocery stores—I’m talking about real yams, the white, starchy ones.
Types of yams and health benefits for dogs
There are several types of yams, all good and nutritious, and all great for supporting digestion and helping with both diarrhea and constipation. Yams are also rich in antioxidants and vitamins C and A. They will make your dog feel full and provide needed energy, just like all healthy carbs do.
Purple yams – ube
Don’t mistake Okinawan sweet potatoes for purple yams! These are, again, totally different. Purple yams are amazing roasted or mashed, and they are also perfect in pancakes!
You may have heard about tasty ube pancakes that go so well with ice cream and syrup! While I don’t recommend sharing pancakes with toppings with your dog, you can give your dog some plain ube pancakes and definitely give them some cooked purple yams.
White yams
Dogs can eat white yams! White yams are perfectly safe for dogs, and it’s best to cook them by baking or boiling them. Don’t drench them in butter and seasonings, and see if your dog wants to eat them with some meat or fish.
Holiday alert – Candy yams, yams in syrup, and why not to share with dogs
Everything you make for the holidays that has either sugar, butter, syrup, or all of these is not good for dogs!
I know that you make candied yams or sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving or Christmas, and while it’s okay for us to indulge in a high-calorie, cozy feast, your dog will have such a hard time with an upset tummy, which can lead to severe distress.
So, please don’t give your dog yams in syrup, candied yams, or any yams with honey, maple syrup, or sugar!
Stick to plain, simple, cooked yams, serve them with some cooked chicken or lean turkey, and forget about sugary holiday treats when it comes to dogs!
Love, life, and fur forever!
FAQs
Can dogs eat yams in syrup?
No, dogs can’t eat yams in syrup. While they are not toxic (but don’t use any funky sugar-free syrup, please!), yams in syrup are so high in sugar and hard on the stomach your dog may experience diarrhea or even vomit.
Can dogs eat yam skin?
No, yam skin is not a good thing to share with dogs. I hope your dog didn’t go through the trash and eat yam skin, but otherwise, there’s no reason for your dog to ever eat yam skin as it’s rough and honestly awful. Sweet potato skin, on the other hand, is edible.
Can dogs eat red yams?
There’s no such thing as red yams, and you’re probably thinking about sweet potatoes with red skin. In that case, yes, dogs can eat red “yams” as long as they are cooked, baked, or boiled and don’t have any fatty toppings.