Sweet potatoes are complex carbohydrates that are filled with vitamins and minerals required for a healthy canine diet.
They offer a natural energy source and are easy to include in homemade dog food or treats. These simple sweet potato dog treats are easy to prepare and appetizing to most pups.
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Sweet potatoes are actually known as a superfood for dogs.
The term sweet potato is often used interchangeably with yam, but keep in mind that these are two different foods.
Sweet potatoes are more nutritious than yams, and they are better for your dog's digestion.
These tasty vegetables are low in fat, yet high in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Manganese.
Like carrots, their also rich in the beneficial antioxidant beta-carotene.
In your dog's body, this antioxidant will convert to Vitamin A – a vitamin essential for eye health, growth and muscle strength.
Homemade Sweet Potato Dog Treats Recipe
Most dogs love the taste of sweet potato, and very few dogs are allergic to it. In fact, this vegetable actually aids in digestive health because they are so high in dietary fiber. Veterinarians and canine nutritionists often recommend adding sweet potatoes to a homemade canine diet because of these benefits.
PrintSweet Potato Dog Treats
These sweet potato dog treats are single ingredient treats. They would be a great option for dogs with digestive sensitivities or severe allergies. You can add some “toppers” to the treats if you'd like to add some variety, or you can keep it simple if you need to.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: about 24 treats 1x
- Category: Low Calorie
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 large sweet potato
- cinnamon (optional)
- coconut oil (optional)
- turmeric (optional)
- raw honey (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 250°F.
First, you'll need to wash the sweet potato. Keep in mind that you can use multiple potatoes, I just used one for the purpose of this recipe demonstration.
Slice the potato very thin. I try to keep my slices between 1/10″-1/8″. The thicker you slice them, the longer it will take to dehydrate the treats.
Place the slices on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. If you'd like to, you can top the slices with a coat of melted coconut oil or raw honey. You could also sprinkle them with cinnamon and/or turmeric. You can also leave the sweet potato slices plain.
Bake in the 250˚ oven for 3 hours. They should be fully dehydrated by this time. If not, just increase the baking time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 treat
- Calories: 4
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 0.1g
How to store: Store leftover treats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Remember that homemade treats do not have the preservatives that store bought products do.
They will not last as long.
If you store these treats at room temperature, they will only last 3-5 days before becoming moldy.
FAQs on Homemade Sweet Potato Recipe
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, in fact sweet potato is very healthy in moderation for dogs. However, remember it is a carbohydrate so don't go crazy feeding your dog large amounts of sweet potato every day.
Can Dogs Eat RAW Sweet Potatoes?
I've done it in very small amounts. However, you shouldn't feed your dog normal size chunks of raw sweet potato. They cannot digest raw sweet potato very well and it could actually in fact cause intestinal blockage in some cases.
Are Yams Good For Dogs?
Yes, yams are safe for your dog to eat. Your dog will most likely love them.
An important disclaimer, just always make sure you cook your dog's yams before feeding it to them. Yams like sweet potatoes are not digested well when raw and uncooked.
For More Information
We publish many homemade dog food and treats recipes every month. For more recipes, pet food cooking tips and advice, see our “Recipes” section. If you're new to home cooked dog food subject, I recommend you read more about “How Much To Feed” to understand serving sizes, “What Supplements To Use” to create well-balanced meals, and “How To Store” for tips on simple and easy homemade dog food storing in a fridge or a freezer.
