The Benefits of Sweet Potatoes in Your Dog’s Diet

You’re probably wondering what you should feed your furry friend, as it can be hard to figure out what they like. Many food advertisements promote their 100% meat products, their non-GMO vegetables, all that healthy stuff that’s great for your dog. But have you ever thought about giving your dog sweet potatoes? This common vegetable may be what your furry friend needs in their diet! Take a peek below to see what sweet potatoes can do for your pup.

Sweet Potatoes Are Nutritious

Sweet potatoes are a root vegetable that has lots of nutritional value! They have loads of vitamins, like vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin A. Sweet potatoes are also a rich source of beta-carotenes, which is an antioxidant that can give your pup vitamin A. It can also reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, and help ward off heart disease! 

Sweet potatoes also contain potassium and fiber, which can help your pup’s digestive system. These root vegetables are also able to help with constipation and diarrhea. If your pup is prone to digestive problems, consider giving your pup sweet potatoes to help ease these issues!

How To Add Sweet Potatoes To Your Dog’s Diet

Sweet potatoes can be added to your pup’s diet in many ways. However, they should always be cooked! Raw food may cause your pup to have digestive problems or even choke. The best and most convenient way to to cook sweet potatoes is to steam or boil them. That way, you can add a tablespoon or two to your pup’s meal! Always be sure to add only a little at a time, as too much for the first time may give your pup digestive problems!

If you want to consider making sweet potatoes into treats, you can bake and dehydrate longer chunks, and let your pup chew on those at a later date! You can also try freezing mashed sweet potatoes in an ice tray, or even put them in a kong! Your pup will love these treats, plus it will be healthy for them!

You should even consider adding cinnamon to your pup’s sweet potatoes. Cinnamon is a well known spice known to benefit both humans and dogs! Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help older puppies with arthritis or muscle problems they may have. Cinnamon can also help with neurological disorders, diabetes, and other health problems, so consider adding cinnamon with your sweet potatoes!

Sweet Potatoes In Dog Food

If you don’t want to make fresh sweet potatoes for your pup, many dog food brands have it added to their meals! Check out these brands that have sweet potatoes in their recipe.

There are pet products already making waves in the market that has sweet potatoes, chickpeas, fruits, vegetables as main ingredients, along with salmon as protein source. The tubers and greens provide your pup the fibers and antioxidants they need! American Journey’s Salmon & Sweet potato brand is chock full of protein and healthy fats that is perfect for your pup’s diet.

Less is More 

The philosophy of the Natural Balance dog food brand is to use the least number of  ingredients while giving your pup the absolute best nutrition they need to last throughout the day. They call this line the Limited Ingredient Diet or L.I.D. with increased focus on a simpler recipe that returns the control back to you as your pup’s ultimate dietitian.   Their main ingredients are salmon and sweet potato, with no vegetable products that may muddle the mix! This recipe is also wheat free, which is a good way to reduce the risk of obesity due to overfeeding

Chicken-Rice-Sweet Potatoes Combo 

 Nutro Wholesome Essentials Large Breed Adult Farm Raised Chicken 

This brand of dog food features chicken, brown rice, and sweet potatoes! Nutro also makes sure to use non-GMO ingredients. They also avoid ingredients with by-product meal, corn, wheat, artificial flavors, color or preservatives! This recipe is meant to supply your pup with protein, glucosamine, chondroitin, antioxidants, and vitamins to keep your pup happy and healthy!

Merrick Grain-Free Texas Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food 

Merrick prides itself on finding ingredients with trusted farmers and made in the US! This recipe has beef and potatoes as it’s first couple of ingredients, is 65% full of proteins and healthy fats! The rest is veggies and fruits to give your pup the fiber, healthy fats, and vitamins they need for a healthy diet.

Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Salmon, Sweet Potato & Pumpkin Recipe Dry Dog Food 

This grain-free dog food is wonderful for your dog, as it’s filled with other ingredients that are wonderful for your pup’s health. Salmon is the first ingredient in this recipe, which can provide your pup with the healthy fatty acids they need. Pumpkin and sweet potatoes are offered instead of grains, so your pup’s digestive system will be in tip top shape!

Overall, sweet potatoes are wonderful for your dog. Consider adding this amazing vegetable to your pup’s diet today!
We’ve also compiled a compleat list of amazingly recommended grain-free dog food for smaller breeds here, check it out. 

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Lovelia Horn

I’m a certified crazy dog mom, a physical therapist (for hoomans), writer, animal rescuer, and foster home provider. Together with my hubby Ryan, I’ve fostered and helped look for forever homes for over a hundred shelter dogs in the Southern Illinois area. I mostly work with Puppy Rescue 911, Inc., a certified animal rescue organization based out of Chester, IL (home of Popeye!)

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