Why
Plain cooked sweet potato is not toxic to cats, and some commercial cat foods and treats include it. It provides fiber, potassium and some vitamins. But PetMD's veterinary guide is clear that cats do not need it. Cats are obligate carnivores that rely on nutrients found in animal products, they are not designed to digest large amounts of carbohydrate, and sweet potato is mostly starch.
The orange color comes from beta-carotene, which people and dogs can turn into vitamin A. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that cats cannot, because they lack the enzyme needed, so they must get vitamin A from animal sources, so the vitamin A on a sweet potato's nutrition label does not really apply to your cat. Cats also cannot taste sweetness, so the name promises more than your cat will notice.
The main risks come from how it is prepared and how much is given. Raw sweet potato is hard to digest and can be a choking risk. Sweet potato dishes made for people often contain butter, sugar, marshmallows, cream and spices such as cloves, allspice and nutmeg, and some savory recipes add garlic or onion. Too much, even plain, can cause vomiting, diarrhea or weight gain.
What to watch out for
- Raw sweet potato, which is hard to digest and can be a choking risk
- Butter, oil, salt, sugar, maple syrup or marshmallow toppings
- Spices such as cloves, allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon, and savory seasonings with garlic or onion
- Sweet potato fries and chips, which are fried and salted
- The tough skin
- Vomiting, diarrhea or belly discomfort after eating it
- Cats with diabetes or a weight problem, and cats on prescription diets; ask your vet first
How to serve it
- Wash and peel the sweet potato.
- Cook it completely by boiling, steaming or baking until it is soft all the way through.
- Serve it plain: no butter, oil, salt, sugar or spices.
- Mash it or cut it into very small cubes, then offer a little on its own or stirred into your cat's wet food.
- Give only a bite or two the first time and watch for stomach upset over the next 48 hours.
How much?
PetMD's veterinary guide suggests starting cats on sweet potato with a bite or two. If there is no vomiting or diarrhea within 48 hours, a healthy adult cat can have up to about half a tablespoon of plain cooked sweet potato once or twice a week.
Sweet potato or pumpkin for constipation?
Sweet potato and pumpkin both contain fiber, and both are sometimes added to a cat's food for mild digestive problems. PetMD's veterinary guide notes that pumpkin is usually higher in fiber and is the one more often used for mild constipation, and that sweet potato is not a laxative, although its fiber may help a little. Too much of either can cause diarrhea.
Constipation in cats has many causes, including hairballs, obesity, arthritis pain, dehydration and more serious bowel problems, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. VCA advises calling your vet if your cat has not passed stool within 48 to 72 hours. Straining in the litter box can also mean a urinary blockage, which is an emergency, especially in male cats. Do not rely on home remedies if the problem keeps coming back.
Holiday dishes: sweet potato pie and casseroles
Sweet potato pie usually contains butter, sugar, eggs, cream and spices such as clove, nutmeg or allspice, and PetMD's veterinary guide says cats should not eat it. Candied sweet potatoes and casseroles topped with marshmallows or pecans are just as unsuitable.
A small lick is unlikely to cause harm, but if your cat eats a real portion, or anything containing onion or garlic, call your veterinarian. Holiday tables are busy, so it helps to keep your cat in another room while food is being served.
Common questions
Are sweet potatoes good for cats?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Plain cooked sweet potato is not toxic to cats, and some commercial cat foods and treats include it. It provides fiber, potassium and some vitamins.
Are sweet potatoes bad for cats?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: raw sweet potato, which is hard to digest and can be a choking risk.
Are cats allowed to have sweet potatoes?
Yes. Wash and peel the sweet potato.
Can kittens eat sweet potatoes?
PetMD's veterinary guide recommends not giving sweet potato to kittens. They have specific nutritional needs and sensitive stomachs, and they do best on a complete and balanced kitten food.
Is cat food with sweet potato in it okay?
Yes, if the food is labeled complete and balanced for cats. PetMD's veterinary guide mentions commercial cat foods and treats that contain sweet potato as a convenient way to offer it. That is different from sharing sweet potato dishes from your plate.
Sources
- PetMD. Can Cats Eat Sweet Potatoes? Benefits, Risks, and Feeding Tips (Sandra C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP)
- Merck Veterinary Manual. Nutritional Requirements and Related Diseases of Small Animals.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Constipation in Cats.
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
- Cornell Feline Health Center. Feeding Your Cat.
If your cat has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, an emergency animal hospital or an animal poison control service right away, even if your cat seems fine. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home.