The effect of sweet potato on dogs
Update: While sweet potatoes are not harmful, new study suggests that they may not be suitable for a dog's diet.
“The US Food and Drug Administration recently issued an advisory concerning reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs consuming specific pet meals containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as key ingredients,” according to the UC Davis School of Medicine. DCM is a cardiac muscle disease that causes a decrease in heart pumping function and an increase in heart size.Heart function and structural changes might lead to serious effects including congestive heart failure or abrupt cardiac death. While genetics is the most prevalent cause of DCM, other causes can also cause it in rare cases, especially in breeds that aren't commonly affected.”
Sweet potatoes are frequently included on lists of foods to consume, which should come as no surprise. They have a plethora of health advantages as well as a delectable taste. Can dogs, on the other hand, eat sweet potatoes? Yes, they are capable.
Dr. Rachel Barrack, a qualified veterinarian and qualified veterinary acupuncturist at Animal Acupuncture in New York City, says, "The health advantages are the same for canines as they are for people.
What's In A Name, Anyway?
Sweet potatoes are not related to white potatoes, despite the fact that they are called "potatoes." Aside from the more common orange, they come in a variety of hues. The Japanese sweet potato has purple skin and yellow meat, and its flavor is sweeter than the more common orange types, which dogs enjoy. It's also particularly high in phytonutrients. Although sweet potatoes are commonly referred to as yams in the United States, the genuine yam is a different root vegetable with a harsh and scaly texture. The terms "sweet potato" and "yam" are frequently interchanged in supermarkets.
What Are the Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Dogs?
Sweet potatoes are abundant in dietary fiber, which helps the digestive tract work properly. Regular fiber intake lowers the risk of heart disease and several cancers.
Because sweet potatoes constitute a complete food, they are less likely to cause an immune reaction or injury to the digestive tract, according to Kathleen Standafer Lopez, a registered dietitian nutritionist. “They're a popular carbohydrate component in commercial dog food because of this.”
Sweet potatoes are also low in fat, high in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, potassium, and iron, and low in calories (each plays a vital role in overall wellness). Vitamin A, for example, is necessary for keeping healthy eyes, muscles, nerves, and skin. Vitamin C, on the other hand, is essential for a healthy immune system. When dogs are supplied with vitamin C, they exhibit stronger resilience to disease and have a higher chance of recovering from accidents or sickness, according to studies.
Owners of diabetic, overweight, or less energetic dogs should continue with caution and offer their pets only a little amount of sweet potatoes. Because of their high glycemic index, they should be used with caution in diabetic dogs' diets, according to Dr. Barrack.
What Is the Maximum Amount of Food a Dog Can Consume?
Moderation is crucial, as it is with any food. The quantity provided should be determined by several criteria, including your dog's size, degree of activity, and general health. Dr. Barrack emphasizes that “too much of a good thing might induce bone and muscular weakening owing to excessive vitamin A.”
Carbohydrates like sweet potatoes should not be a dog's primary source of nourishment; animal protein should also be included daily. Consult your veterinarian before introducing any new meals. Start with a modest quantity to watch how your dog reacts if she gives you the go-ahead.
“Canine nutrition, like human nutrition, should be individualized,” Standafer Lopez explains. “Before making any nutritional modifications, consult with your veterinarian.”
Can Dogs Eat Raw Sweet Potatoes or Potatoes?
White potatoes are nightshade vegetables that contain a substance called solanine. Dogs should never eat raw potatoes since they are hazardous to them. Cooking a potato reduces the quantity of solanine in it, making it safe for dogs to eat.
In dogs, raw sweet potatoes can cause stomach problems. Intestinal obstructions can be caused by both raw white potatoes and raw sweet potatoes.
Can Dogs Eat White Potatoes That Have Been Cooked?
If you want to offer your dog a portion of a white potato, make sure it is fully cooked and free of butter and flavor. Potato items like potato chips, French fries, and mashed potatoes can be high in fat and salt, which is unhealthy for dogs.
Potatoes should not be fed to diabetic dogs since they might induce blood sugar increases.
Any potato given as a reward, even in little amounts, should be totaled with other treats to make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake.
Cooked sweet potatoes are safe for dogs to eat.
Sweet potatoes that have been cooked provide key minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron, making them a better option for dogs. Beta-carotene, a precursor for vitamin A and an antioxidant that helps promote immunity, is found in orange-colored vegetables.
Sweet potatoes may be boiled, steamed, roasted, or dehydrated for your dog to consume. However, before adding sweet potato to your dog's diet, consult your veterinarian since too much vitamin A can cause bone issues and muscular weakness.
Sweet potatoes also have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes, however, feeding sweet potatoes to a diabetic dog should be done under veterinarian care.
Sweet potato calories should be included in the 10% a maximum number of calories your dog should get from treats each day.
Is it possible for dogs to eat potato skins?
Potato skins are difficult to digest, therefore any skin from a white or sweet potato should be removed before feeding it to your dog.
Can my dog eat sweet potatoes from a can?
Sweeteners and other substances are commonly added to canned sweet potatoes, making them a possible concern for your dog.
Your dog may eat organic, unsweetened canned sweet potatoes with simply water as an extra component.
It's worth noting that the canning process removes certain nutrients.
Is it possible for dogs to be allergic to sweet potatoes?
Both yes and no. Because sweet potatoes are a complete food, your dog is less likely to develop an immunological reaction or sensitivity to them. However, whenever you introduce a new meal to your dog, keep an eye out for itching, breathing issues, or rashes.
Sweet potatoes are a starchy carbohydrate, thus dogs with yeast or candida disorders (ear infections or severe itching) should be watched for symptom flare-ups. Carbohydrates in the body convert to sugar, which feeds yeast or candida.
What are the best methods to give sweet potatoes to your dog?
Sweet potatoes are a favorite of most dogs. Mine, for one, do!
They're best mashed, diced, or diced after being cooked or baked. Because they are low in fat and calories, these root vegetables make excellent training rewards. You may also add them to your dog's usual diet, like kibble or wet food, on occasion for a delightful and healthy supplement.
Human-grade sweet potato fries and chips may contain salts, sugars, or artificial ingredients. These are harmful to your dog's health and can cause stomach or gastrointestinal problems. Make sweet potato fries or chips from fresh sweet potatoes rather than manufactured or frozen items if you wish to share them with your dog.
Dehydrated sweet potatoes are a nutritious alternative to rawhide chews for my dogs. They are stiff as they come out of the oven or dehydrator, with a mild chewiness that fulfills their chewing requirements. For those who want to do it themselves, there are several resources on the internet for producing quick and easy sweet potato chews. This is a great solution for older dogs or pups.
Mixing sweet potatoes with other fruits and vegetables is a terrific way to give your dog a nutritious boost. Combine them with strawberries, blueberries, broccoli, and bananas, or blend them with plain yogurt for a simple summer treat.
Is it OK for my diabetic dog to eat sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are a high-starch vegetable with a modest glycemic load. That means it quickly converts to sugar and can raise blood sugar levels to dangerously high levels. It can also induce a rapid dip or crash in blood sugar levels.
As a result, diabetic dogs should be given sweet potatoes as a treat on occasion. Consult your veterinarian before feeding sweet potatoes to your dog if he or she has diabetes.
Dogs with Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Sweet Potatoes
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a condition in which the heart enlarges and loses its capacity to adequately pump blood throughout the body of a dog. This can result in severe congestive heart failure and heart attacks without warning.
There has been a significant concern, as well as several research, in recent years about the impact of grain-free or limited ingredient diets in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy. Concerns over dogs being diagnosed with DCM in breeds that aren't known to have a hereditary propensity to the disease prompted the research. The dogs were fed a restricted ingredient diet in many of the cases.
The research did not pinpoint the source of the rise in DCM cases, but they did discover that 93 percent of dogs diagnosed with the disease were consuming meals that had peas or lentils as a key ingredient. Foods containing potatoes or sweet potatoes were consumed by far fewer dogs diagnosed with DCM.
This implies that giving your dog sweet potatoes as a treat won't hurt him or induce DCM. There is still more research to be done on this subject, however, sweet potatoes are not thought to be a factor in the increase of DCM in dogs who are not susceptible to the illness.