Sweetpotatoes for pets

With more brands incorporating sweetpotato into pet food, more pet owners are becoming aware of its nutritional benefits. Rich in fibre, beta-carotene, vitamins A, B6 and C, and providing a low-glycaemic source of energy, sweetpotatoes can offer many of the same health benefits to pets as they do to humans. 

Carbohydrate source: It is a healthy, digestible alternative to grains like corn, wheat, or soy.  

Nutrient rich: It contains high levels of dietary fibre, beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and B vitamins.  

Sensitive stomachs: Cooked sweetpotato is normally gentle on a dog’s digestive tract and has a lower likelihood of triggering common food allergies.  

Just like with cats, raw, fried, or seasoned sweetpotatoes are off limits. 

Sweetpotatoes are also very starchy with a high carb content so for dogs with diabetes or severe weight issues, they should only eat sweetpotatoes if advised to do so by a veterinarian. 

Here are some general serving guidelines based on your dog’s body weight which will help you avoid overfeeding your dog:   

• Extra small dogs (1-5kg): 1 tablespoon 

• Small dogs (5-9kg): 1-2 tablespoons 

• Medium dogs (10-23kg): 2-3 tablespoons 

• Large dogs (23-41): 3 tablespoons 

• Extra large dog (41+) 4 tablespoons  

With these guidelines in mind, you should be treating your dog to sweetpotato no more than two to three times a week.  

For dogs you can mash your cooked sweetpotatoes and serve them just like that, or you can mix sweetpotatoes into your dog’s regular food. Other options include putting the sweetpotatoes inside an enrichment toy or putting it onto a lick mat. 

Sweetpotatoes contain beta-carotene which turns into Vitamin A, they contain high amounts of fibre. They are also low fat, which makes them a low calorie, nutrient dense alternative to processed treats.  

However, feeding excessive amounts of sweetpotatoes to dogs can cause digestive upset, blood sugar spikes or kidney and bladder stones. Therefore, always be mindful and follow relevant guidelines when feeding to your dog.  

This grease and oil can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhoea, or health issues like pancreatitis.  

If you want to replicate the fry shape but avoid the frying process, cut peeled, raw sweetpotatoes into thin strips and bake them without adding any oil or seasonings. 

As we’ve seen, sweetpotatoes can be a nutritious addition to your pet’s diet, providing valuable nutrients such as vitamin A, fibre, and beta-carotene. Whether served cooked and mashed for dogs and cats or uncooked for guinea pigs, they can be a tasty treat. Always follow feeding guidelines and prepare sweetpotatoes in a way that is safe for your pet. With the right approach, this versatile vegetable can be a simple way to add variety to your furry friend’s diet. 

For an adult average-sized cat, 1 to 2 teaspoons of cooked sweetpotato once or twice a week is generally acceptable.  

You can serve it to your cat on its own or you can stir it into wet or dry cat food. You can also incorporate sweetpotato into homemade cat treats or use it on enrichment toys. Alternatively, put a small amount of mashed sweetpotato on a lick mat or in a puzzle feeder.  

It is important to note that you should never give cooked sweetpotato to your guinea pig because their digestive system cannot process it properly. To feed your guinea pig safely, give them tiny cubes and do this no more than once or twice a month. 

Guinea pigs can eat the skin of sweetpotatoes, but it is imperative to clean and scrub the skin under cool water with a vegetable brush to remove any pesticides or dirt that could hurt your pet.  

Even though guinea pigs can eat sweetpotatoes, there are a variety of low sugar, nutrient-dense options that may be better suited to them such as grass hay, leafy greens, or bell peppers. Sweetpotatoescan cause health risks to guinea pigs such as weight gain or digestive issues so make sure to be mindful.