Tag: pet nutrition

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Posted on March 3, 2022 - 3:30 pm by
Verdict: Dogs May Eat Sweet Potatoes Graphic

Welcome to “Can My Dog Eat That?,” our series that answers some obvious (and not-so-obvious) questions about what your dog can and can’t safely eat. Today: Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? Read on!

Sweet potatoes are a divisive food on the human table. It seems that people either love ’em or hate ’em, and there’s no in-between. In the dog world, however, it’s a “people food,” so chances are, your dog would scarf them down if given the opportunity.

But should you give your dog the opportunity? Can dogs eat sweet potatoes?

What is a sweet potato, anyway?

It might surprise you to hear this, but sweet potatoes are not potatoes at all. Or at least they’re not stem tubers, as most potatoes are classified. Sweet potatoes are actually root vegetables and only distantly related to your standard ’tater. But that’s not to say that they aren’t similar. Both sweet and regular (white) potatoes offer roughly the same calories, protein and carbs, but they differ in their additional benefits. White potatoes provide plenty of potassium, and the sweet potato’s bragging rights are attached to their copious amounts of vitamin A. Now, despite the name, a raw sweet potato isn’t actually sweet; it just tastes starchy, like the other kinds of potatoes. But when you start cooking sweet potatoes, the heat releases an enzyme that breaks down all that starch and turns it in to a form of sugar. This “sugar” isn’t half as sweet as the stuff you put in your coffee, but compared to a normal white potato, it seems like candy — which may explain why your dog would be so eager to eat a sweet potato.

Are Sweet Potatoes Good for Dogs?

Sweet potatoes can be very beneficial, providing energy while helping support gut health, thanks to the high levels of antioxidants. The vitamins like vitamin A in sweet potatoes help maintain healthy eyes and skin. The dietary fiber in sweet potatoes helps support the digestive system. Yes, sweet potatoes are good foods for dogs!

How Do I Cook Sweet Potatoes for Dogs?

Don’t feed your dog raw or whole sweet potatoes; the skin can be hard to bite through and isn’t great for the digestive tract, and if your dog bites large chunks of the ’tater, they could choke. Prepare them by baking, boiling or mashing them. DON’T candy sweet potatoes as you would for your family’s Thanksgiving dinner, though. When dogs eat sweet potatoes, they should be as plain as possible.

In fact, the best way to offer your dog sweet potatoes is as an ingredient in their dog food, to make sure that it’s part of a balanced diet. Many dog food recipes use sweet potatoes as a healthy source of carbohydrates, so check the ingredients panel on the bag or can. Your dog might already be enjoying sweet potato!

Can Dogs Eat Raw Sweet Potatoes?

No, your dog should never eat raw sweet potatoes. Unsweetened, cooked sweet potatoes are fine, but uncooked sweet potatoes are choking hazards and can cause intestinal blockages. Make sure those sweet potatoes are cooked!

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato Skins?

When feeding your dog sweet potatoes, make sure you remove the sweet potato skin. It isn’t poisonous, but the skin of sweet potatoes is hard to chew and can be a choking hazard or even block the intestines. Skin those sweet potatoes!

There’s a Caveat with the Sweet Potato

As with anyone’s diet, your dog’s diet should be judged for your individual dog. Diabetic or overweight dogs shouldn’t indulge in sweet potatoes outside of a reputable dog food recipe. If you have any questions about your dog’s diet and whether they can or can’t eat a sweet potato or two, contact your veterinarian.

Can my dog eat sweet potatoes?

They can, if the sweet potato is prepared properly and served in moderation, considering your individual dog’s diet needs. Introducing sweet potatoes as an occasional snack could be a welcome variation!

The Verdict?

Your dog will love them if you feed sweet potatoes in small amounts. Plenty of nutritional benefits for a pet of any size.

An interior graphic with text that reads ‘Can my dog eat sweet potatoes? Yes!’.

More Doggy Diet Questions?

If you’ve ever asked Can My Dog Eat That? there’s a pretty good chance that we’ve written an article about the answer. Follow our blog here for all sorts of answers to the question as well as other nutritious treat info.

Should My Dog’s Diet Change for the Summer?

Posted on May 21, 2020 - 3:00 pm by
A dog standing on a sand dune on the beach.

Many dogs, like their owners, are more active in the summer — especially those who tend to hibernate during the snowier months. Simple logic might tell you that more activity means your dog needs more calories. So, should you switch to a summer dog diet? In most cases, it’s not necessary.

Do Dogs Eat Less in the Summer and More in the Winter?

Ever notice how you crave heavier “comfort” foods like lasagna in the winter but opt for lighter salads in the summer? The same phenomenon can occur in dogs, too.

In the winter months, dogs that are outdoors a lot tend to need more calories as the temperature drops to help them generate heat. The opposite is also true: in warmer temperatures, they tend to need fewer calories as the temperature increases.

That said, if your dog is involved in any high-intensity sports or competitions over the summer, it’s best to confer with your veterinarian about your dog’s nutritional needs.

In Most Cases, No Summer Dog Diet Changes Are Necessary

Rather than switching your dog to a “lighter” diet, a better option might be to feed them a slightly smaller amount. Again, your veterinarian can help you determine how many calories your dog needs in the summer.

You generally want to keep your dog’s diet consistent unless he or she has a special health condition such as allergies, obesity or arthritis that can be helped with a dietary change. In those cases, you want to make a gradual switch to the new diet because abrupt changes can lead to tummy upset, vomiting and diarrhea.

Monitor Your Dog’s Figure

One of the best ways to tell if your dog is eating the right amount is by using a body condition scoring system. Ideally, you should be able to feel your dog’s ribs, and there should be an obvious waist just after the rib cage when viewed from above. If your dog has lost its waist or the ribs are hidden under a thick layer of body fat, it’s time to cut back on the extra table scraps.

While it can be common for dogs to eat less food in the warmer months, a loss of appetite can also be a sign of disease. If you notice your dog’s ribs are showing and his or her appetite seems to have vanished, call your veterinarian.

Don’t Forget the Water in a Summer Dog Diet

Many people don’t realize that water is an important part of every dog’s diet. During the warmer months, make sure your dogs have plenty of fresh water available. That way, they’ll be well hydrated for all those outdoor adventures you’ll take together.

So, Should My Dog’s Diet Change for the Summer?

In most cases, your dog’s diet is probably fine as is, especially if they were healthy and happy heading into the summer season. If you ever have any questions about your dog’s diet, be sure to ask your veterinarian.

A Pet Nutrition Primer: 7 Things You Should Know

Posted on February 14, 2019 - 4:00 pm by
Taste of the Wild Pet Food

You want to do right by your pet. But pet food can be so complicated. What do the ingredients actually do? Does your cat need different nutrients than your dog? If you take vitamins, does that mean your pet should, too? The best way to get a foothold is to start learning some of the basics of pet nutrition.

1. All pets need dietary protein.

Proteins serve as a source of energy and are made of amino acids that help your pet’s body perform normal biological functions. Of the 20 or so amino acids, 10 of them are considered essential for dogs while 11 are essential for cats. Essential amino acids are those that must be provided in the diet because pets can’t produce them in their own bodies or simply can’t make enough of them. Dietary proteins come from many different ingredients, including meat, fish and poultry.

2. Fats are the most concentrated energy source.

Dietary fats typically come from animal fats and seed oils and are needed for proper cell structure and function. Fats provide essential fatty acids that aren’t produced in sufficient quantities by the body. And fats enhance the flavor and texture of food — which may be just what it takes to encourage that sick pet to eat.

Although fats don’t clog arteries in dogs and cats the way they can in humans, too much of them can be detrimental. Pets should not be fed table foods that are high in fat content, because sudden intake of high fat foods can trigger pancreatitis – a painful inflammation of the pancreas. Because fats are high in calories, another concern with feeding high fat foods or treats is obesity, especially in those couch-potato pets.

3. Carbohydrates help promote GI health.

Carbohydrates include starches, sugars and fiber from well-known sources such as sweet potatoes, potatoes and peas, but also from lentils and garbanzo beans. In addition to providing energy, carbohydrates such as fiber help the digestive system work properly.

Extra fiber is added to some diets to help overweight pets feel full so they’re less tempted to beg for more or scavenge for snacks. Your veterinarian may suggest supplemental fiber for your pet to help maintain healthy stool consistency. Plain canned pumpkin is commonly recommended.

4. Cats are obligate carnivores.

Remember those amino acids found in proteins? Two that are especially important for cats are taurine and arginine. Taurine deficiencies in cats can lead to blindness, heart failure, deafness and birth defects. Without arginine, cats have difficulty removing ammonia from the body, leading to drooling, vomiting, convulsions and even death.

Because plants can’t provide enough of the required amino acids for cats, our feline friends  usually can’t survive on vegetarian diets without additional supplementation of amino acids. In fact, adult cat foods need to have a minimum of 26 percent protein (dogs, by contrast, require 18 percent protein), and some of the amino acid requirements for cats are twice those for dogs. This is why cats should never be fed dog food.

5. Cats are usually lactose intolerant.

Despite all the storybook images of cats lapping up cream, cow’s milk can be difficult for most kitties to digest. They generally lack sufficient amounts of lactase, the enzyme that enables them to digest milk. While some cats may be fine with milk, it may cause vomiting or diarrhea in others.

6. Proteins are the cause of most food allergies.

Even so, a 2016 study by BMC veterinary research showed that the prevalence of food allergies in all pets who visited veterinarians was between one and two percent. If your pet is itchy, it’s more likely to be caused by fleas or environmental allergies.

7. Pets typically don’t need extra vitamins.

If your pet food label says that the diet was formulated to meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nutrient profile for your pet’s life stage, or that it has passed animal feeding trials, the diet should be complete and balanced with all the vitamins and minerals your pet requires.

If your pet has any health conditions — even if your dog or cat is just a bit pudgy — ask your veterinarian for dietary recommendations. He or she can steer you toward the best food for your pet.