Can Dogs Eat Purple Sweet Potatoes? Vet Approved Nutrition Advice
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This is one of those times where the health benefits of a food are the same for dogs and humans. So, yes, your dog can enjoy plain purple sweet potatoes. They are an excellent source of nutrition for your dog, packed with antioxidants that boost their immune systems and help fight off chronic diseases. They should always be enjoyed in moderation as too much can cause gastrointestinal issues, but they’re an excellent choice for adding a bit of variety to your dog’s bowl. We’ll discuss how purple sweet potatoes benefit your dog, and how best to serve them.
Benefits of Purple Sweet Potatoes
As you have probably already guessed, purple sweet potato is a variety of sweet potato with purple skin and flesh. They are very similar to regular sweet potatoes, with some important differences.
Healthy Antioxidants
Purple sweet potatoes have higher beta-carotene levels and anthocyanins than regular sweet potatoes, which act as antioxidants and have immune-boosting and disease-fighting effects. They may even help prevent conditions like heart disease and cancer.
Fiber
Sweet potatoes contain the most fiber of any vegetable. This keeps your dog’s digestive system running as it should, which helps prevent diarrhea and constipation. They also make your dog feel fuller for longer, which can help an overweight pup lose weight more easily, as they are also low in fat.
Vitamins and Minerals
The vitamins and minerals packed into sweet potatoes can support your dog in various ways. For example, vitamin A maintains your dog’s vision, muscles, skin, and nerves. Vitamin C supports the immune system, and it’s proven that it can help dogs fight off disease and recover quicker from illnesses or injuries.
Low Glycemic Index
Sweet potatoes can benefit diabetic dogs since they have a low glycemic index. This means they’re less likely to cause your dog’s blood sugar to spike.
How Do I Feed Purple Sweet Potatoes to My Dog?
First, ensure that the purple sweet potato is peeled and cooked thoroughly; raw sweet potato is difficult to digest, can be a choking hazard, or cause an intestinal blockage.
Keep the sweet potato plain, so don’t add spices, butter, oil, or seasoning, as this can harm your dog or cause an upset stomach. Once it’s cooled down, you can offer it as a treat or mix it into your dog’s regular food.
Do Dogs Like Purple Sweet Potatoes?
Most dogs enjoy variety in their diets, and they generally love the taste of sweet potatoes. While dogs have fewer tastebuds than humans, they can still distinguish between flavors and will appreciate the addition to their regular diet.
How Much Can Your Dog Have?
Before you give purple sweet potato to your dog, run the idea past your veterinarian, just to be certain it’s a good idea, especially if your dog is only on a special diet or has a medical condition. Fortunately, sweet potato is often used as an ingredient in low-allergen diets, so it is likely to be a good option, even for dogs with food allergies. Once you have the all-clear from your vet, start small, as you never know how your dog will react. Depending on the size of your dog, around a teaspoon or tablespoon should be enough at first.
Carbohydrates shouldn’t be the primary source of your dog’s nutrition, so it’s important they don’t fill up on purple sweet potatoes, and then don’t want their regular food. Too many carbs can also lead to weight gain, so you need to be mindful not to give your dog sweet potatoes too often.
Final Thoughts
Dogs can enjoy purple sweet potatoes as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Ensure they are cooked thoroughly, and don’t add any extras we like to add to our food. Remove the skin and you can either offer your dog the flesh by itself or mix it into their food for a tasty boost to their regular food. Purple sweet potatoes have many nutritional benefits, but too much of anything, even healthy veggies, can be harmful.
Featured Image Credit By: auntmasako, Pixabay
