If you are new to making your dog homemade dog food, you want to ensure you are doing it correctly. Cooking a sweet potato for your dog can be confusing, especially if you are not doing it correctly to keep it safe for your dog. In this article, I will tell you how to cook sweet potatoes for dogs and the variety of ways you can do that.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat sweet potatoes, but under certain conditions. Dogs should only eat sweet potatoes when cooked, and the skin completely peeled off. Sweet potatoes should not be fed to dogs in raw form because they can pose serious health risks, such as choking or even causing an intestinal blockage. However, sweet potatoes can give your dog a lot of health benefits as long as you feed your dog peeled, cooked, and plain potatoes.
How to Cook Sweet Potatoes for Dogs
When giving sweet potatoes to your dog, it is very important that they are cooked properly. Your dog cannot eat sweet potatoes if they are not cooked. Therefore, it is very important that you understand what types of cooking methods you can do when preparing sweet potatoes.
Baked – One of the easiest ways to cook a sweet potato for your dog is to bake it. Before you put it into the oven, you need to peel the skin off. The skin is not toxic, but it can pose as a choking issue for your dog. After that, you can bake the potato whole, slice it into slices, or even cut it into chunks and bake it until soft and done. Cooking times will vary depending on your oven and what temperature you cook the sweet potatoes on.
Boiled – Another popular way to cook your sweet potatoes is through boiling. Just like you would boil regular potatoes for mashed potatoes, you can do the same thing with sweet potatoes. Again, skin the potatoes and cut the potatoes into smaller chunks for easier cooking. Once the potatoes are cooked, you can mash them into a puree and serve them to your dog.
Dehydrated – Using a dehydrator is a great tool; you can peel and slice the sweet potatoes into smaller slices. The dehydrator will bring out all the moisture inside of the sweet potato and create a hard texture. This will be a great method to use when you want to make a healthy dog treat. Dehydrated foods still contain all the great nutrients that a sweet potato has.
How Do I Prepare Sweet Potatoes for my Dog?
You can choose any of the cooking methods above to prepare and cook a sweet potato for a dog completely. However, it is very important that you follow a few steps before cooking the sweet potato. Below are the steps you should take when preparing sweet potatoes:
- Always make sure you are going to cook your sweet potatoes before giving it to your dog.
- Dogs should not eat the sweet potato outside, also known as the skin. You can easily use a peeler and peel off the skin before cooking.
- Once you have decided on your cooking method, make sure you cook it properly and ensure that if you bake it or boil it, you ensure it is soft before serving it to your dog.
How Much Sweet Potato Can I give my Dog?
It is very important to figure out how much sweet potato you can give your dog because you do not want to overfeed your dog. Sweet potatoes are a carb even though they are healthy; too much given to your dog can be negative.
Any food given to your dog should be measured and determined by your dog’s weight, size, and activity level. A veterinarian can help you determine this amount. Generally, you see sweet potatoes added to a dog’s diet through treats, but you can also make excellent, well-balanced meals with it. Always ensure that your dog has an animal protein-forward diet, such as a chicken, rice, and sweet potato bowl.
When you introduce a new food for your dog, keep in mind that you watch out for any allergic reactions. For example, give your dog only a little bit of sweet potato at first, then watch and see if your dog has a reaction. If your dog does not have any allergy symptoms in the first 24 to 48 hours, you can move forward to give your dog more quantities of sweet potatoes.
Can I Feed my Dog Sweet Potato Every day?
No, feeding your dog sweet potatoes is unnecessary every day. Too much of a thing can be a negative thing. Dogs need a very balanced nutrition just like humans do. Sweet potatoes can be given on occasion as a treat or with an occasional homemade dog food meal.
How Long Do You Boil Sweet Potatoes for Dogs?
The amount of time you boil a peeled and cut sweet potato will depend on how big the potato is and how big the chunks are in the water. Generally, when you boil potatoes, it will take around 20 minutes. Remember, cooking time will vary. Check the potatoes periodically and see if it is soft to the touch with your fork.
Can I Microwave a Sweet Potato for my Dog?
Yes, you can definitely microwave a sweet potato for your dog. You can buy those sweet potatoes that are in the special plastic that helps microwave them. Once done, I suggest gently peeling the skin off before giving it to your dog.
There is also a method where I can teach you how to cook sweet potatoes for dogs in the microwave.
Step 1. Wash your sweet potato very well and remove any stemming sprouts.
Step 2. You can peel the sweet potato and then cut the potato into very thin slices.
Step 3. Get a microwave-safe plate and put down some safe cooking oil, such as a small amount of olive oil or even coconut oil and put a small amount onto the microwave-safe plate.
Step 4. Cook the slices for about two to three minutes and then flip them to cook the other side for an additional two to three minutes.
Is Mashed Sweet Potatoes Good for Dogs?
Yes, you can safely let your dog eat mashed sweet potatoes. However, keep in mind that traditional mashed sweet potatoes have additional ingredients added to it, such as sugar, butter, spices, and much more. Dogs should always eat plain things. Plain is best to avoid any food allergies and toxic spices that could be toxic for your dog that you may not know about.
Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Dogs
There are some definite benefits your dog can gain from eating sweet potatoes. However, remember, with every food, there are pros and cons. Your dog can get negative side effects if your dog eats sweet potatoes all the time.
High Fiber – Fiber is very important to keep your dog regular. Fiber helps keep your dog’s digestive system working, and sweet potatoes contain great fiber. The fiber inside sweet potatoes will also keep your dog feeling fuller. This is especially great for dogs that may have an issue with overeating.
Great Antioxidants – Antioxidants are powerful things that help get rid of free radicals that can cause damage inside of the body. Thankfully, sweet potatoes have a lot of antioxidants. These are very beneficial to the health of your dog.
Vitamins – Do not forget about the amazing vitamins found inside of sweet potatoes. Some of the vitamins found are vitamins C, A, and B6.
Is Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Better for Dogs?
You can’t go wrong with either of these options. Both sweet potatoes and pumpkin are very healthy and have a lot of benefits for dogs. They are both equally great and offer a lot of the same health benefits. Sweet potatoes are higher in carbs, which means they are sweeter and can affect your dog if it has diabetes.
Sweet potatoes have a tremendous amount of fiber, which is important for daily digestive health. Pumpkin is lower in calories which is great for many reasons. Many people who like making homemade dog food like to use pumpkin inside. You can use either, and it will all come down to your personal preference.
Overall
Don’t be intimidated when learning how to cook sweet potatoes for dogs. If you follow the steps above, you will be able to transform a beautiful sweet potato into a meal for your dog or even dog treats. Has your dog ever tried sweet potato before? Share your dog’s experience in the comments below.
