Is sweet potato good for dogs with constipation?
Yes, dogs can eat Okinawan sweet potatoes; in fact, most of the varieties of sweet potatoes are safe for dogs to eat. They are different from normal potatoes. It contains various nutrients and its sweet flavor attracts the dog’s attention. Most of the dogs enjoy eating sweet potatoes. If your dog is new to eat Okinawan sweet potatoes, you should introduce it gradually and see if your dog likes it or not.
Are purple sweet potatoes same as Okinawan sweet potatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat purple sweet potatoes. It is not much different from Okinawan sweet potato, but its skin and color are different, also, it is sweeter. While buying sweet potatoes, make sure that you don’t confuse ‘sweet potatoes’ with ‘yam’ they are different from each other.
Nutritious content of Okinawan and purple sweet potatoes
They are rich in carbohydrates and have various vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene (vitamin A), vitamin- B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C, E, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, iron, dietary fiber, etc. In addition, it contains antioxidants that help to boost immunity.
Benefits of sweet potatoes
It can boost immunity as it contains anti-oxidants i.e. beta-carotene which also prevents various types of cancer and heart diseases in dogs. Also, beta-carotene improves eyesight, bone growth, reproduction, and skin. It can help to maintain a healthy digestive system as it is high in dietary fiber.
How to serve Okinawan sweet potatoes or purple sweet potatoes to your dog with pancreatitis?
Cooked sweet potatoes are healthy to eat and are the best choice. It can be served as boiled, baked, steamed or dehydrated sweet potatoes (baking of sweet potatoes in an oven will take approx. 30 minutes and in microwave it will be baked in almost 12 minute). These all varieties can be good snacks for your dog. Raw sweet potatoes can be hard to digest, hard to chew. It is not recommended by veterinarians and can prove to be dangerous as it can upset the dog’s stomach and can cause intestinal issues due to intestinal blockage.
How much sweet potato should be given to a dog?
Ideally, there is no correct answer to this question. Sweet potatoes are high in carbohydrates and can cause issues if over-eaten by a dog, therefore it is recommended to consult a veterinarian before starting to feed sweet potatoes to your dog.
Veterinarian supervision is recommended for dogs who are diabetic as sweet potatoes contain a lower glycemic index. It is important to look for glycemic index while choosing food for your diabetic dog as it indicates how well/ quickly the food will be digested and release sugar into the blood system. Sweet potato is considered to have 10% more calories than the number of calories a dog consumes through treats in a single day.
Precautions before feeding Okinawan sweet potatoes and purple sweet potatoes to your K9
Overfeeding sweet potatoes can cause various health issues. Do not feed your dog the skin of both Okinawan sweet potatoes and purple sweet potatoes as they are hard to digest and later can prove to be very harmful to dogs. Do not feed fried sweet potatoes as frying will only increase the calories, which are already high in sweet potatoes. Also oil content used while frying is unhealthy for dogs.
Conclusion
Both Okinawan sweet potatoes and purple sweet potatoes are safe for dogs to eat. Some dogs might not like its flavor or sensitive dogs need more attention therefore it is advised to introduce it to them gradually and notice any symptoms. Consult its veterinarian before serving it to your dog; especially know the quantity to serve. Do not give raw or skin sweet potatoes as they can cause health issues in dogs.
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