Health benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs
There are many great health benefits from feeding sweet potatoes to your dog. Common health benefits are:
Common negative facts about sweet potatoes
While sweet potatoes are usually very healthy to feed your dog, they can be very starchy. Given their name sweet potatoes, you would be right thinking that they were high in sugar content. This excess sugar can cause problems in some dogs and should be excluded from the diet of dogs with diabetes. Sweet potatoes also contain a lot of carbohydrates. If your dog lives a very sedimentary lifestyle, sweet potatoes may make them gain weight.
Before you give your dog sweet potatoes, it is best to check with your veterinarian. Your dog may have a medical condition where they do not need to eat sweet potatoes. It is best to discuss adding anything new to your pets diet before serving it to your dog.
Why Sweet Potatoes Are Good for Dogs
Sweet potatoes provide an excellent source of dietary fiber, which helps the digestive system function more effectively. Eating fiber on a regular basis lowers the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancers.
“Because sweet potatoes are a whole food, they are less likely to cause an immune response or damage to the digestive tract,” says Kathleen Standafer Lopez, a registered dietitian nutritionist. “This is why they are a popular source of carbohydrate in commercial dog foods.”
Sweet potatoes are also low in fat and rich in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, potassium, and iron (each play a vital role in overall wellness). For example, vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy eyes, muscles, nerves, and skin. And vitamin C is critical for a properly functioning immune system. Studies have found that dogs, just like humans, show greater resistance to disease and have a better chance of recovery from injuries or illness when supplemented with vitamin C.
For dogs that are diabetic, overweight, or less active, owners should proceed carefully and only give their dog a minimal amount of sweet potatoes. “They should be incorporated with caution in the diets of diabetic dogs, due to a high glycemic index,” says Dr. Barrack.
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