There are many vegetables that are recommended for keeping your dog healthy, and sweet potatoes are one of them.
It's packed with nutrients that are beneficial to your dog's health, and its naturally sweet flavor is appealing. I'm sure there are many dogs who enjoy it as a snack.
This time, we'll be taking a closer look at the appeal of sweet potatoes from various perspectives in this specialty column! We'll be introducing the little-known benefits of sweet potatoes, tips on feeding them, and recommended ways to eat them.
Please read through to the end and use this as a reference when giving sweet potatoes to your dog.
8 Beneficial Ingredients in Sweet Potatoes That Are Good for Your Dog's Health!
Sweet potatoes, which are primarily composed of carbohydrates, are ideal for replenishing energy, and are also packed with nutrients that are beneficial for maintaining a healthy dog's body, such as regulating the intestines and improving immunity.
First, let's pick out the eight ingredients that we want to pay attention to and explain them in detail.
carbohydrates
Sweet potatoes, which are made up of about 30% carbohydrates, are perfect for providing your dog with energy.
It is an ideal vegetable to feed to young dogs who require more energy than adult dogs for physical growth, or to aggressive dogs who love exercise.
dietary fiber
Among the many vegetables, sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber and are expected to improve bowel movements.
There are two types of dietary fiber: soluble dietary fiber and insoluble dietary fiber.
Soluble dietary fiber slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, helping to control blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels, while insoluble dietary fiber absorbs water and expands in the intestines, promoting smooth bowel movements.
Sweet potatoes, which are particularly rich in insoluble dietary fiber, are recommended for improving constipation.
If your pet is overfed, the stool may expand too much in the intestines, making it difficult to excrete, so be sure to give them the appropriate amount.
Vitamins
Sweet potatoes are also characterized by their abundance of vitamins, including vitamin C, vitamin E, and B vitamins.
It helps your dog maintain various health habits, such as maintaining healthy teeth and bones, recovering from fatigue, preventing lifestyle-related diseases, and preventing aging.
It contains a lot of vitamin C, which is particularly heat-resistant, so it's great that you can efficiently absorb the nutrients even when heated.
potassium
Sweet potatoes are rich in the mineral potassium, which helps to excrete excess salt that has accumulated in the body, and is expected to be effective in preventing high blood pressure and reducing swelling in your dog.
It is also a nutrient that promotes the normal functioning of nerves and muscles, so it is a component that you should consume in the right amounts.
Beta-carotene
Sweet potatoes contain a lot of beta-carotene.
Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in dogs' bodies and is a powerful ingredient that provides antioxidant and immune-boosting benefits. It can also help maintain healthy skin, mucous membranes, and eyes, and help prevent cancer.
Yarapin
When you cut a raw sweet potato with a knife, a white liquid oozes out onto the surface. This is a compound called yarapin.
Yarapin is a unique compound found only in sweet potatoes, and it improves intestinal movement and softens stool. It protects the stomach lining and has excellent intestinal regulation, making it a vegetable we especially recommend for dogs prone to constipation.
chlorogenic acid
Chlorogenic acid, a type of polyphenol, boasts strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is known to have anti-aging and immune-boosting effects, as well as to suppress fat accumulation, making it a component that you should actively encourage your dog to ingest.
anthocyanin
Purple sweet potatoes contain anthocyanins, which are known for their ability to maintain eye health and relieve eye fatigue, but they also have excellent antioxidant properties. They can also help prevent arteriosclerosis, boost immunity, and have anti-aging properties.
What's the best way to feed your dog sweet potatoes?
If you are going to feed sweet potatoes to your dog, make sure they are cooked.
Raw peanuts are difficult to digest, and accidentally eating them can cause symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting, so they are strictly prohibited. They can also increase the number of bad bacteria and lead to a deterioration of the intestinal environment.
There are several ways to heat sweet potatoes, but slow cooking, like roasting sweet potatoes, increases their sweetness but also increases their sugar content. Giving them as an occasional snack is fine, but giving them to your dog on a long-term, daily basis can lead to obesity, so it's better to steam them.
By the way, the chlorogenic acid mentioned above is found in high concentrations in the skin and surrounding areas, so feeding it with the skin will allow your baby to absorb a variety of nutrients efficiently.
Cut into small pieces and give
When giving sweet potatoes to your dog, it is recommended to cut them into bite-sized pieces to suit your dog's needs.
The area around the skin is rich in nutrients, so it is best not to remove it, but the skin is harder to digest than the flesh, and sweet potatoes are very viscous, so there is a risk that it may get stuck in your throat when swallowed.
Dogs have a habit of swallowing their food whole without chewing it much, so be sure to cut it into small pieces before giving it to them.
Enjoy in moderation and stay healthy
This can be said for any vegetable, but it is best to supplement your dog's daily diet with dog food as a staple, and limit vegetables to supplementary food or healthy snacks.
Before giving sweet potatoes to your dog, check the following points:
So far, we've mainly introduced the recommended points of sweet potatoes, but there are also some points to be careful about when giving them to your dog. Keep these points in mind and enjoy sweet potatoes safely.
As a general rule, when giving your dog vegetables, it is recommended to aim for about 10% of their daily calorie needs. Ideally, you should adjust the calories from sweet potatoes by reducing their staple food.
The appropriate amount varies depending on your dog's age and lifestyle, such as a young dog that is growing and needs energy, a senior dog that loses its appetite as it ages and needs to be fed high-calorie foods, or an adult dog that has fully developed and needs to maintain its shape. It is best to closely observe your dog's condition in daily life and consult your veterinarian if necessary.
Beware of allergies
Sweet potatoes are said to be a hypoallergenic food, so the probability of them causing an allergic reaction is low, but the possibility is not zero.
When feeding your dog sweet potatoes for the first time, it's a good idea to give them a small amount and see how they react.
If your child shows any signs of itching or any allergic reactions such as diarrhea or vomiting, seek medical treatment immediately.
Symptoms may not appear until some time has passed, so if you keep a note of when and how much you fed your pet, it will be easier to share information when you visit the doctor.
Are there any dogs that should not be fed sweet potatoes? What diseases should they be careful of?
Sweet potatoes are hypoallergenic, non-toxic, and one of the easiest vegetables for dogs to eat. However, depending on your dog's constitution or chronic illnesses, there are cases where it may be best not to give them to them.
So, what kind of dogs should avoid sweet potatoes?
Dogs with diabetes
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of energy, but on the flip side, they are also high in calories and sugar, so you should try not to give them to dogs that are overweight or have diabetes.
As mentioned above, if you do feed it to your pet, it is best to give it steamed food, which has a low carbohydrate content.
Dogs at risk of kidney stones
Oxalic acid is the cause of kidney stones, and sweet potatoes actually contain a lot of it.
It may be safer to avoid pets that have urinary tract diseases or are known to be prone to kidney stones.
By the way, the oxalic acid content of sweet potatoes can be significantly reduced by peeling them and soaking them in water before cooking, or by boiling them and draining the liquid, so if you're a worried pet owner, be sure to give it a try.
Dogs with kidney or heart disease
Sweet potatoes are rich in potassium, and while this potassium has a positive effect on health, caution is required for dogs with kidney or heart disease.
When dogs with kidney problems eat sweet potatoes, they are unable to excrete potassium in their urine, and it accumulates in their bodies. As a result, the potassium level in their blood rises, which can have adverse effects on the heart, including arrhythmia. In the worst case scenario, it can even cause sudden death, so it's best to avoid giving sweet potatoes to dogs with kidney or heart disease.
If you really want to feed your pet sweet potatoes, it is recommended that you boil them in water to reduce the potassium content.
Puppies with immature digestive systems
Be careful when giving sweet potatoes to puppies whose digestive systems are not yet fully mature. It puts a strain on their digestion and can cause symptoms such as diarrhea.
In the first place, vegetables that are high in fiber and take a long time to digest are not recommended for young puppies. Avoid giving sweet potatoes to puppies until their bodies are fully developed.
Can I feed my senior dog sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes should not be given to puppies whose digestive systems are not yet fully developed, but what about giving them to senior dogs?
Sweet potatoes are actually recommended for dogs who have entered their senior years!
As they age, many senior dogs lose their sense of taste and smell, gradually losing their appetite. If left unchecked, senior dogs can become increasingly thin, so energy replenishment is the top priority. Unlike adult dogs, who need to pay careful attention to maintaining their body shape, there will eventually come a time when they need to actively feed high-calorie, highly palatable foods.
In times like these, sweet potatoes are a reliable ally for owners. They are very sweet and are ideal for replenishing energy, making them a vegetable you should include in your senior dog's daily diet.
It depends on your dog's chronic illnesses, but if you're an owner who wants to feed your elderly dog something nutritious, we recommend giving sweet potatoes a try.
saesa product introduction
You want to feed your dog vegetables and encourage a healthy diet, but it's difficult to prepare food by hand every day...saesa's vegetable furikake for dogs is perfect for owners who have such concerns.
Saesa's Furikake has its own unique human grade, with ingredients such as "made only from domestically grown vegetables," "completely additive-free," "supervised by a registered dietitian for dogs," and "safe for humans to eat," and the company is committed to creating high-quality products that can be incorporated into your dog's daily meals.
Simply sprinkle it on your regular rice and you'll be able to enjoy the concentrated flavor and nutrition of vegetables.
In addition, a new flavor, "sweet potato," has been released! The skin is removed by hand to avoid the risk of oxalic acid ingestion, so you can feed it to your dog with peace of mind.
Why not try saesa as your first step towards a healthy lifestyle with your beloved dog?
→Click here for a list of Saesa products
Conclusion
Sweet potatoes, which we eat casually every day, are actually a reliable vegetable that can help support your dog's health from various angles.
Please use this column as a reference to incorporate sweet potatoes into your dog's diet and help them maintain a healthy diet.