

“Each Beta-carotene converts to two molecules of Vitamin A in your dog’s body, which is essential for your dog’s vision, bone growth, skin and reproduction,” Steve Doerr, Technical Director and Research and Development Scientist at Redbarn Pet Products said.” Ha ve you ever wondered what gives sweet potatoes their yellow, gold, or orange (and sometimes even purple) coloring? It’s beta-carotene!īeta-carotene is an antioxidant that helps reduce the risk of certain types of cancer while simultaneously providing protection against heart disease. They’re also low in fat and contain essential vitamins like B6, C, and A. For example, sweet potatoes support a healthy digestive system thanks to their high dietary fiber content. Sweet potato is a safe, healthy, and natural treat for dogs, offering a range of health benefits (and a sweet flavor they’ll likely love). Make sure to keep your dog away from the processed and fried potatoes like French fries, potato chips, potato skins, and baked potatoes piled high with flavorful and fatty toppings. If you want to mix sweet potato into their dry kibble for extra nutrition, try steaming or boiling the sweet potatoes, whichever works best for you. But be sure to start off with small amounts, your dog may not like the taste or they could have a sensitive stomach. It’s most common to boil, freeze, and/or dehydrate sweet potatoes for dogs. He explains, “the closer to fresh, whole food diets you feed, the healthier your dog is likely to be.”īaked, boiled or mashed potatoes should only be given to dogs on occasion, however. Gary Richter, veterinarian and member of Rover’s Dog People panel of experts, advocates for including fresh and healthy foods like sweet potatoes into your dog’s diet. Sweet potatoes, however, have more fiber and Vitamins C and A than a white potato.

While sweet potatoes have become very popular in recent years, you’re probably still more accustomed to seeing white potatoes. Your everyday local grocery store likely carries sweet potatoes. Yams Versus Sweet PotatoesĪre sweet potatoes and yams the same vegetable?ĭespite the fact that the terms sweet potatoes and yams are often used interchangeably in the states, they are actually quite different from one another.Īlthough both are underground tuber vegetables, yams are drier and starchier than sweet potatoes and are typically only found in specialty markets. In love with the taste, Columbus eventually brought the orange potato back to Spain, and by the 16th century they quickly dominated European gardens. Sweet potatoes originated in the Americas in the 15th century, becoming a staple crop with the arrival of Christopher Columbus. We need to answer the most important question yet - can dogs eat sweet potatoes? On a quest to lead healthier lives, many people are replacing white potatoes with their vibrant counterpart, sweet potatoes (hold the Thanksgiving brown sugar and marshmallow edition).īut is the switch safe for all our family members? You’ve heard of sweet potato fries, mashed sweet potatoes, and even sweet potato pie!
