Why
Cooked sweet potato is a good source of fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C, and many dogs like its sweet taste. Raw sweet potato is hard to chew and digest and can cause blockages.
Sweet potatoes are high in carbohydrates, so they are best as an occasional treat or a small addition to a balanced diet. The U.S. FDA has investigated a possible link between heart disease and diets that rely heavily on legumes and potatoes; this concerns main diets, not occasional treats, but it is a reason not to overdo it.
What to watch out for
- Raw sweet potato: hard to digest
- Added butter, sugar, marshmallows or spices
- Weight gain from frequent large portions
How to serve it
- Bake, steam or boil until soft, then peel and cut or mash.
- Serve plain, with no seasoning.
- Dehydrated sweet potato chews are an option, but choose ones without additives.
How much?
A dog can have a few small pieces or a spoonful of sweet potato, a few times a week.
Sweet potato fries, casserole and pie
Plain cooked sweet potato is a good treat. Most of the ways people eat it are not.
Sweet potato fries are cooked in oil and usually salted. A couple of fries are unlikely to cause harm, but a plateful of greasy food can upset a dog's stomach, and fatty meals are linked to pancreatitis in some dogs.
Holiday sweet potato casserole often includes butter, brown sugar and marshmallows, sometimes nuts. Sweet potato pie adds sugar, dairy and spices like nutmeg. Set aside a plain piece of sweet potato before you add anything, and give your dog that instead.
Are store-bought sweet potato chews a good idea?
Dried sweet potato chews are popular because they have one ingredient. They can be a reasonable treat, with a few cautions.
- They are hard and can break into sharp or large pieces. Supervise your dog and take the chew away once it is small enough to swallow whole.
- A dog that gulps chews is better off with soft, fresh-cooked sweet potato.
- Check the ingredient list for added sugar, flavorings or preservatives.
- Dried chews are dense in calories, so count them toward the daily treat allowance.
Is sweet potato the same as a regular potato?
No. Sweet potatoes and white potatoes come from different plant families. Raw white potatoes, and especially green potatoes, sprouts and the leaves of the potato plant, contain solanine, which can make dogs sick. Plain cooked white potato is fine in small amounts. In US grocery stores, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are often labeled "yams." For your dog, they are the same food and follow the same rules.
Both are starchy. If your dog has diabetes or needs to lose weight, talk to your vet before adding either to meals, since the carbohydrates can affect blood sugar and weight.
Common questions
Are sweet potatoes good for dogs?
Yes, as an occasional treat. Cooked sweet potato is a good source of fiber, vitamin A and vitamin C, and many dogs like its sweet taste. Raw sweet potato is hard to chew and digest and can cause blockages.
Are sweet potatoes bad for dogs?
Not in sensible amounts. The main thing to watch: raw sweet potato: hard to digest.
Are dogs allowed to have sweet potatoes?
Yes. Bake, steam or boil until soft, then peel and cut or mash.
Sources
Topic references
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Investigation into Potential Link Between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy.
General care and safety
If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital right away. Do not wait for symptoms. In the US you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (fees may apply).