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Why Are Sweet Potatoes Suitable for Dogs?

 

Sweet potatoes may be a highly nutritious food substance or a very harmful food for your dog. It all depends on how you prepare and serve it to your dog and what part of the sweet potatoes you are actually feeding your dog. Find out how to get the best out of sweet potatoes.

 

Sweet Potato is a type of vegetable that contains multivitamins necessary to keep animals healthy. But whether it is safe for dogs to consume it or not has been a question dog keepers have been asking.

Do you want to know more about the pros and cons of sweet potatoes for your dog’s health? All you have to do is focus on this article as we bring you all that you should know about sweet potatoes on your dog’s health.

 

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes Safely?

 

Yes. Dogs can eat sweet potatoes but it all depends on how and what part they consume. If it must be beneficial and safe for your dogs to eat them, then they must consume it rightly and in the right proportion.

Sweet potatoes shouldn’t exceed ten percent of your dog’s daily diet. If you want to prepare it as an extra meal for your dog’s diet, then a small amount will be okay for the dog (a tablespoon for a big dog or a teaspoon for a small dog).

More so, don’t feed your dog with raw potatoes, it will be difficult for them to digest it thereby leading to intestinal blockage.

The nutritional benefits of sweet potatoes to your dog’s health cannot be overemphasized. It is a good source of fiber that aids digestion. It also prevents obesity for your dogs which is a good one for every dog owner. If your dog is gaining too much weight, you can try feeding your dog with sweet potatoes, which will make it full without causing obesity.

 

Sweet potato is also a source of vitamins and minerals, which are suitable for healthy dentition and help protect the immune system.

 

Sweet potatoes will be perfect for your dog, especially if you are the type that loves making homemade meals for your dog.

What are the health benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs?

The benefits of sweet potatoes are a result of the several vitamins and minerals it contains. Below is a list of some of the vitamins and minerals found in potatoes and their benefits to your dog’s health.

 

Vitamin A

 

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for dogs. It helps your dog in maintaining a healthy skin, nerves, muscles, and coats.

Vitamin A enhances good vision for your dog and strengthens its body defenses.

Vitamin A is almost impossible to take an overdose and its toxicity is very rare. However, like other meals, moderation of it will be better.

 

Vitamin C

 

Vitamin C provides your dog with anti-aging, making them look younger than their age. With the intake of vitamin C, your dogs can be free from every radical that encourages aging both internally and externally in your dogs.

 

Vitamin B6

 

Vitamin B6 is one vital mineral in sweet potatoes your dogs will need. It helps in the formation of red blood cells, generates glucose, and enhances the proper functioning of the nervous system in dogs. Aside from that, its importance also includes: the regulation of the hormone, protection of the immune system and several other benefits it offers to your dogs.

 

Potassium

 

Another element present in sweet potatoes that is essential for your dogs is Potassium. It is regarded as an electrolyte due to its strong reactivity with water. Potassium is a vital element for the well-being of your dogs because it can help them function physiologically in a normal way, and it also aids in maintaining homeostasis in dogs.

 

Calcium

 

Dogs need calcium to help them in good dentition and strong and healthy bones. Calcium enhances the building and proper functioning of the muscle. It also aids a healthy nervous system together with a strong and healthy heart.

 

Iron

 

The importance of Iron in dogs is numerous. Iron is very vital in the formation of blood in dogs, and it also helps in the transportation of oxygen in the blood. Iron deficiency in dogs can be detrimental to their health. For example, iron deficiency in dogs can lead to tiredness and excretion of dark-colored stools. The intake of sweet potatoes can help reduce the deficiency of Iron and all other diseases associated with it.

What happens when I feed my dogs too much sweet potatoes?

As stated earlier, every meal needs to be taken in the right proportion before you can enjoy its benefits, and sweet Potato isn’t left out.

Feeding your dog with too much of sweet potatoes isn’t safe for them.

When your dogs feed on excessive sweet potatoes, they are likely to suffer from stomach upset, vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal issues, or even abdominal pain.

Suppose you suspect that your dog is suffering from intestinal blockage after consuming Potatoes, call your veterinarian’s doctor and confirm if it is safe to induce vomiting.

 

What are other vegetables for dogs?

 

There are quite a good number of alternatives to sweet potatoes you can serve your dog with. Some dog-friendly Vegetables include.

 

spinach:

spinach is an edible vegetable that contains several amounts of vitamins such as vitamin A, B, C, and K. A little spinach to your dog’s diet can help your dog stay healthy.

carrot: 

Carrots are loaded with vitamin A which enhances good eyesight for your dog and also protects its immune system.

Beets

Beets are rich in Vitamin C, fiber manganese, and some other nutritional elements. These multi nutrients can help your dog stay healthy and give your dog an undefeated immune system.

Green peas

Green Peas offers your dog with multi vitamins and minerals as well as dietary fiber. It is also rich in protein and can help your dogs maintain a healthy weight.

celery

 

Celery will keep your dog hydrated, it is also rich in fiber and low in fat and cholesterol. The crunchy vegetable can help freshen your dog’s breath.

 

What part of sweet potatoes should a dog not eat?

 

There are parts of potatoes you shouldn’t allow your dog to eat because it may be dangerous for them. For example, it will be harder for your dogs to digest the rinds of sweet potatoes, this can lead to intestinal blockage and other health effects.

However, before feeding your dogs with  potatoes make sure it is properly cooked. Do not try to serve your dogs raw sweet potatoes so as not to invite any health issues to them.

 

By kingkentus