Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes Raw or Cooked?
Sweet potatoes (and their cousin, yams) affect your dogs body differently depending on whether and how theyre cooked. Heres a look at different ways to prepare sweet potatoes and whether or not theyre OK for dogs.
Can dogs be allergic to sweet potatoes?
Yes, and no. Sweet potatoes are considered a whole food, meaning your dog is less likely to have an immune response or sensitivity to them. However, whenever you offer your pooch a new food, watch for any itchiness, breathing difficulties, or rashes.
Because sweet potatoes are a starchy carbohydrate, dogs with yeast or candida issues (ear infections or excessive itchiness) should be monitored for symptom flares. Carbohydrates turn to sugar in a body, and sugar feeds yeast or candida.
Clubs Offering:
Update: Recent research has suggested that sweet potatoes, while not poisonous, may not be appropriate for a dog’s diet.
From the UC Davis School of Medicine: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued an alert about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that leads to reduced heart pumping function and increased heart size. The alterations in heart function and structure can result in severe consequences such as congestive heart failure or sudden cardiac death. While the most common cause of DCM is genetic, on rare occasions other factors can also result in the condition, particularly in breeds that are not frequently affected.”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that sweet potatoes are often found on lists of foods you should eat. They offer an abundance of health benefits, along with tasting delicious. But can dogs eat sweet potatoes? Yes, they can.
“The health benefits are the same for canines as they are for people,” says Dr. Rachel Barrack, a licensed veterinarian and certified veterinary acupuncturist at Animal Acupuncture in New York City.
Is Sweet Potato linked to DCM in dogs?
Whether your dog has just snuck sweet potato off your plate or youre considering sharing this snack, you need to know: Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? This root vegetable is actually a common ingredient in many dog foods, and dogs tend to digest sweet potato well, as long as its cooked and not raw.
Weve looked at the evidence, weighed the pros and cons, and come out in favor of this orange veggie. Learn the healthiest ways to feed your dog sweet potatoes so you can include them in your dog’s diet.