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Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Updated on July 18, 2024
Reviewer Profile Photo
Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Yes, in general, dogs can eat sweet potatoes. But remember to always consult your veterinarian before introducing any new foods into your pet’s diet, especially if they have any underlying health concerns such as food allergies, diabetes, etc.

Sweet potatoes are one of the best vegetables for us humans to eat. They provide an abundance of vitamins C and B6, which are great for your brain and nervous system health. And those are just a few of the wellness benefits they offer. But the question we’re here for is, can dogs have sweet potatoes? That answer is yes.

Even though humans and dogs have different nutritional needs, sweet potatoes provide many of the same health benefits to both us and them. Many Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO)-approved dog foods have sweet potatoes among their ingredients, as they contain a healthy dose of dietary fiber, which helps the canine digestive system function effectively.

Health benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs

Are sweet potatoes good for dogs? Yes. Sweet potatoes can be a wonderful part of a commercially available dog food or as an occasional snack/treat for your pet when you are cooking them at home.

Some of the benefits sweet potatoes offer include:

  • Excellent source of dietary fiber
  • Contain disease-fighting antioxidants
  • Can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer
  • Excellent source of vitamin C
  • Excellent source of vitamin B6
  • Low in fat
  • High in potassium
  • Helps support good vision
  • Excellent source of calcium and iron

Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamins, calcium, potassium and plenty of other nutrients. However, as with other high-fiber foods, sweet potatoes should be served to pups in moderation because too much fiber can cause diarrhea.

» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.

How to Feed Sweet Potatoes to Your Dog

Before adding sweet potatoes to your dog’s bowl, keep in mind that all treats offered throughout the day (including sweet potatoes) should amount to no more than 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.

Can dogs eat raw sweet potatoes? No. Prior to feeding your pet this tasty root vegetable, remove the skin and cook the rest thoroughly.

Can dogs eat sweet potato skins? No, skins should be avoided, as they can cause digestive issues. The skin also contains oxalates, which when fed in large quantities or too frequently may cause tremors, increased thirst and, ultimately, kidney damage. Raw sweet potatoes are not only hard to chew, but they also contain solanine, a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or weakness in small amounts and more serious side effects in larger quantities. Once they’ve been skinned and cooked, sweet potatoes can be cut into bite-size pieces or mashed up for an extra treat or a topper for their dog food.

FAQs about feeding your dog sweet potatoes

Yes, your dog can safely eat properly cooked sweet potatoes in moderation. Peel the skin completely off and thoroughly cook the rest until the potatoes are soft and tender.

As with people, moderation is essential. Remember that all treats offered throughout the day—and this includes sweet potatoes—should make up no more than 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake. The amount you feed them depends on various factors, like your dog’s size, breed, energy level and overall health. Sweet potatoes are higher in carbohydrates than a lot of other foods, which means they should not be your pet’s main source of nutrition and should never be fed to dogs with diabetes. If your veterinarian says it’s OK to introduce sweet potatoes to your dog’s diet, be sure to introduce it in small amounts in case they don’t like them or have a negative reaction to them.

No, you should not give your dog sweet potatoes every day. These delicious treats should be looked at as exactly that—treats. Oversupplementation of foods containing high amounts of vitamin A for weeks or months at a time may result in poor coat condition, dry or rough skin, constipation, weight loss, painful or limited movement and excessive bone development. Overfeeding snacks and treats can lead to obesity, too.

This is a common question among pet parents. Both pumpkin and sweet potatoes can deliver health benefits to your dog when fed in moderation. Sweet potatoes are loaded with nutritional benefits, and so are pumpkins. Plain canned pumpkin is the healthiest choice to feed your dog because it’s easily digestible, loaded with nutrients and helps support digestive health. While both of these vegetables can provide your dog with health benefits, they should always be offered as a treat to complement the nutrition your dog receives from eating a base diet of commercially available, nutritionally complete and balanced dog food.

Sweet potatoes are high in dietary fiber. Fiber is essential for keeping your dog’s digestive system working properly and it’s already included in AAFCO-approved, commercially available diets. When added to a balanced diet in moderation, sweet potatoes can help firm up your dog’s stool, ease the complications of diarrhea and relieve constipation. With that said, not all diarrhea in dogs responds to higher amounts of dietary fiber. If your dog's condition isn't getting better with more fiber in their diet, consult your veterinarian about the next steps in their treatment plan.

Technically, your dog can eat sweet potato fries, but they are not good for them. Sweet potato fries, like regular french fries, tend to be cooked in fat, oil and seasonings like salt, all of which can cause major health issues in your canine, even in small amounts. They serve almost no nutritional value because of the way they are fried. Stick to cooked sweet potatoes and stay away from the fries.

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