Delicious Options to Serve Sweet Potatoes to Your Dog

Why Sweet Potatoes?

Sometimes mistaken for a yam, this starchy root vegetable is packed with nutritional benefits. You will find sweet potatoes added to many dog foods and treats because they are a healthy source of complex carbohydrates and are gentle on the digestive system.

Here are four reasons why we love them:

Related: Chow Down! Top 10 Best Fruits Safe for Dogs

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

It’s simple, dogs can have sweet potatoes, but you have to be careful with how you give them. Dogs shouldn’t eat mashed potatoes, boiled, or baked potatoes. They are best for dogs in boiled, frozen, or dehydrated form. 

When introducing sweet potatoes to your pup’s diet, you should start in small amounts. See how your pup reacts and if he loves it, then game on!

A WEALTH OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS.

Sweet potatoes are packed with vital minerals including potassium, manganese, and magnesium. Potassium is key in preserving nerve transmissions and muscle function. This superfood also contains calcium, iron, zinc, Vitamins B6, and Vitamin C.

Feeding your dog these healthy vitamins has a huge impact on their health and wellness. Adding these vitamins enhances your dog’s immune response, red blood cell count, cognitive aging and so much more!  

Get high quality and healthy treats for your pup? Check out our CBD dog treats today!

BETA-CAROTENE MAGIC

Ever wonder why this vegetable has hues of purple? That's the beta-carotene magic. This powerful antioxidant gives sweet potatoes their yellow, orange, and sometimes purple coloring. After eating a sweet potato, the beta-carotene converts to Vitamin A in the body. Pretty cool, huh?

Vitamin A is a vital nutrient essential for your dog's vision, muscle strength, and healthy skin and coat. Symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency include night blindness and poor hair and skin quality. None of that here!

Healthy treats are a necessity for every dog owner! Check out Dope Dog for high-quality treats.

HIGH IN FIBER, LOW IN FAT.

Sweet potatoes are high in dietary fiber which is great for digestive health. Plus, they contain very little fat, making sweet potatoes a smart addition to your dog’s diet.

Fiber is a nutrient that all dogs should be getting in their diet. Fiber is instrumental in maintaining a healthy digestive system and managing a healthy weight. There are so many reasons why dogs are overweight, but changing their diet to contain more fiber can be a great way to maintain it!

Sweet potatoes are the perfect combination of high fiber and low fat so you’re not adding unnecessary fats to your dog diet during treat time!

Related: Why do dogs eat grass?

10/10 ON THE TASTE METER

Who said getting your veggies had to be difficult? Not only are sweet potatoes safe for dogs, they actually have a very yummy, sweet flavor they'll love. We love these delicious human-grade sweet potato treats from Dope Dog.

Dope Dog's Sweet Potato Dog Treats are high in fiber and great for the digestive system. It contains ample amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B6, and manganese. They are also made with organic CBD! The formulas are fresh and high-quality to ensure that your pet gets nothing but the best. 

Looking for CBD dog treats? Check out Dope Dog’s wide array of selections

SWEET POTATO VERSUS YAM

Even though sweet potatoes and yams are very similar, they are different in varieties.

Sweet potatoes are sweeter than yams and have a variety of flavor that is easily cooked and altered. Yams are starchier, not very sweet, and almost taste like regular potatoes.

Sweet potatoes are very nutritious and have more protein, iron, sodium, calcium, vitamin A, water content, and beta carotene than yam. However, yams have more carbs, fats, fiber, Vitamin B6, vitamin E, and potassium than sweet potatoes.

Over 50% of the US sweet potatoes are grown in North Carolina. However, yams are grown around the world, and West Africa is where 95% of them are grown.

The difference in taste and texture is what makes sweet potatoes a much better treat for dogs. Their sweet nature will have your dog wanting more! 

Related: 10 High Fiber Foods for Your Dog

The Verdict?

If you are looking for a new treat to feed your pup, look no further than sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes are an amazing source of vitamins and minerals that your dog will benefit from. Increase your pup’s metabolism, heart health, cognitive aging, and so much more with this tasty treat!

When you switch your pup to these amazing treats you are sure to see a difference!

Delicious Options to Serve Sweet Potatoes to Your Dog

By now, it’s clear that serving your pup sweet potatoes is a smart move. However, you may want some unique ideas to ensure they don’t get bored. 

Don’t worry. Here you can find some of the top options for serving sweet potatoes to your dog. 

Dehydrated Sweet Potato

Sweet, simple, and the perfect snack for your pup, dehydrated sweet potato is a great, healthy treat for dogs of all ages. Also, thanks to the simplicity (i.e., one ingredient), it’s great if your dog has food allergies. Depending on your dog’s preferences and how long you cook, you can make this treat crunchy or chewy. 

To make a dehydrated sweet potato for your pup, you must put pieces of the sweet potato on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper. Once in place, bake at 250 degrees for about three hours. If you want a crunchy result, add 30 minutes. Make sure the bites cool completely to test the texture. 

For a simple prep, use your food dehydrator. If you don’t have one, the oven works great. 

Grain-Free Sweet Potato Biscuits for Dogs

Do you love to bake? If so, there are plenty of recipes you can find online. There are a lot of simple recipes that you can create for your pup. 

You can customize this recipe to meet your needs. For example, you can use any flour you prefer for the oats, whole wheat flour, and cornmeal listed above. You can also use canned sweet potato or even baby food if that is what you have on hand. Just make sure to get a fun cookie cutter to use. While your dog may not notice, you will, making it more fun. 

Sweet Potato Stuffing

Does your pup love toys like the Kong? Why not fill the toy with delicious sweet potato stuffing? All you need is boiled white rice, steamed sweet potato you have mashed well, and some peanut butter. 

Mix your ingredients and stuff them in the Kong. This is a healthy treat for your pup, but it is also a great way to keep them busy and alleviate boredom. 

Sweet Potato Mix for Your Pup’s Kibble 

Do you want to add some new tastes and flavors to your pup’s kibble? If so, add sweet potato. You can use any form of sweet potato for this treat, and it will give the food nutrition and flavor boost your dog will love. 

Try sweet potato baby food, frozen sweet potato, pureed sweet potato, or some other form to see what your pup likes best. 

With the amazing nutrition and great flavor, your dog will love this added to their food, and it makes a treat you can feel good about without all the filler and unneeded chemicals found in other pre-made food and treats.