Can dogs or cat eat sweet potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are not toxic to dogs, so they are safe to eat, in moderation. They are a rich source of carbohydrates, high in fibre and contain a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Sweet potato should make up part of an otherwise carefully formulated diet, as too much could lead to issues like dietary imbalances. If you plan on introducing your dog to sweet potato in addition to their normal diet, then it’s best kept as an occasional treat. Extras like fruit, vegetables and other snacks should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily diet.

It is worth noting that concerns have been raised about diets that contain peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as their main carbohydrate source. Research is ongoing, but there have been reports that a diet high in these ingredients could be associated with a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy.

Always speak to your vet or a qualified veterinary nutritionist if you need more detailed advice on your pet's diet. This is especially important if you plan to home-cook for your dog, as it is easy for nutritional deficiencies or imbalances to occur.

But as an occasional treat, it's good to know that plain, cooked sweet potatoes are safe.

Can dogs eat raw sweet potatoes?

Raw sweet potatoes are not recommended for dogs as they are very tough and hard to digest. There is a risk that raw potatoes could cause choking, especially in small dogs, brachycephalic breeds and puppies. Raw sweet potato may also cause a blockage in your pet's digestive tract, leading them to become seriously unwell.

Can dogs eat sweet potato skins?

Sweet potato skins are tough and can be challenging to digest. A large quantity of ingested potato skin could even lead to an obstruction in your dog's digestive tract. It is therefore best to remove this and only offer your pet the sweet potato flesh.

Can dogs eat sweet potato fries?

Sweet potato fries are not recommended for dogs. Many of these are processed in other ingredients like fats and flavourings, which could be harmful to your pet.

Can a diabetic dog eat sweet potatoes?

As a rich source of carbohydrates, extreme care should be taken when offering sweet potatoes to your diabetic dog. It has a high glycaemic index, meaning that blood sugar levels can spike after consumption, contributing to poorer control of their diabetes. It's always best to speak to your vet before making any changes to a diabetic dog's feeding regime.

Can dogs eat frozen sweet potatoes?

If the frozen sweet potato is plain, thawed and cooked before serving, then yes, dogs can eat it. Frozen sweet potato could be a choking hazard if offered straight from the freezer.

How to prepare sweet potato for dogs

Sweet potato must always be given to your dog plain, well cooked and with the skin removed. It can be baked, cut into wedges or chunks, which works well, or you might choose to steam, microwave or air fry instead. Whichever method you pick, make sure that your sweet potato has cooled and that it is chopped into manageable pieces before offering it to your dog.

The addition of cooking oils or other ingredients could be harmful to your dog, so these must be avoided. It may trigger stomach upsets or even a bout of painful pancreatitis in some susceptible pets. Leftovers like sweet potato curry or sweet potato soup are definitely not a good idea, as they may contain high levels of salt or toxic ingredients like garlic and onion.