Many human foods are safe for dogs to enjoy. But there are also many foods that dogs can’t digest in the same way humans do. Navigating which foods are best for your furry friend can be a challenge, which is why we made this helpful guide.

Sweet potatoes are an excellent side dish for any meal. They're a great addition to your pantry, whether served in French fry form or baked and drizzled with cinnamon butter. 

Sweet potatoes offer many nutritional benefits for humans, but can our dogs share in this sweet, starchy treat? Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? This guide breaks down what you should know. 

Can dogs have sweet potatoes?

Can dogs have sweet potatoes? The answer is yes, but a few things should be noted. While dogs can eat sweet potatoes in moderation, it doesn’t mean they should. 

Sweet potatoes are a starchy vegetable. Starchy foods like potatoes, legume seeds, peas, and lentils can cause dogs to develop serious health conditions. To avoid unnecessary health issues, feed sweet potato for dogs in moderation (or not at all). 

Let’s take a look at the risk versus benefit of sweet potatoes for dogs and how you can incorporate this ingredient safely. 

Are sweet potatoes good for dogs?

Sweet potatoes are generally safe for your dog to eat. They are unlikely to cause a digestive upset or allergic reaction. So, are sweet potatoes good for dogs?

Contrary to popular belief, sweet potatoes aren’t very nutritious for dogs. They may be safe to eat, but sweet potato for dogs can do more harm than good. 

Starchy foods like sweet potatoes are considered “anti-nutrients” for dogs. Anti-nutrient foods block the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals. So even though this veggie has natural vitamins and minerals, your dog’s body can’t take in the nutrients. 

In July 2018, the FDA identified potatoes and starchy foods as a likely cause of many dogs developing canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Many dog food brands were called out for using potatoes, lentils, and peas as replacements for grain ingredients. Such foods led to thousands of dogs developing DCM and passing from heart failure. 

So the question remains: are sweet potatoes good for dogs? When fed irregularly and in moderation, yes, sweet potatoes can be okay for dogs. But this food shouldn’t be listed in the first 5-10 ingredients of a dog food’s nutrition label. 

Things To Keep in Mind When Giving Your Pup Sweet Potatoes

While there is some benefit to giving your dog sweet potatoes, there are also a few things to keep in mind. 

Moderation is Key

Moderation is a critical practice when feeding any raw human food to your dog. Certain foods like lentils, legume seeds, peas, and potatoes can lead to a serious condition known as canine dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, when given in excess. 

This disease can have serious health effects on the heart’s health, size, and function. Sweet potatoes can be a nutritional food source for dogs, but limit your dog’s intake to avoid health issues.

Skip the Seasonings

Maybe you like your sweet potatoes with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dab of salted butter. When preparing sweet potatoes for your pup, skip the seasonings. 

Butter, salt, pepper, garlic, sugar, and other seasonings can negatively impact your dog’s health. Too much sodium can lead to nutritional imbalance and certain spices like onions, garlic, and chives can be toxic for dogs. Whether you’re making homemade treats or sharing some potatoes straight from your plate, it’s best to serve them plain. 

Avoid Feeding to Diabetic Dogs

If your dog is diabetic or has blood sugar issues, it may be a good idea to limit their intake of sweet potatoes. Why? Sweet potatoes have a higher glycemic index than other potatoes and carbohydrates. In other words, eating this veggie may cause an unnecessary spike in your dog’s blood sugar.

If your dog is diabetic, other foods offer nutritional benefits without raising blood sugar. Chia seeds, for instance, are an excellent source of fiber, iron, and potassium. This food can also help regulate your pup’s blood sugar levels.

Alternatives to Sweet Potato for Dogs

Avoid anti-nutrient ingredients like sweet potatoes with whole grain-inclusive Sundays for Dogs. Our air-dried fresh dog food is curated with only nutritious whole foods that supply natural vitamins and minerals to your pup. 

With real meat, pumpkin, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, and other whole foods, Sundays offers more nutrients without the high glycemic index and risk for DCM. Learn more about our 100% human-grade dog food at SundaysForDogs.com.