Can dogs eat sweet potato fries? Well, discovering that the food you have been feeding your dog is unsafe for them can be quite heartbreaking, but then it helps you become more aware and careful with what your pet eats.
Sweet potato comes with a lot of benefits for your dogs and would really do them good when added to their diet; however, it is said that what comes with advantages also has its disadvantages.
Can dogs eat sweet potatoes? Is it safe for them? How much of it can they eat? All these questions and more will be answered in the article (via thorough research) below!
What are the Health Benefits of Feeding Sweet Potato Fries to Your Dogs?
While we have not yet discussed whether dogs can eat sweet potato fries or not, you should note that there are some key health benefits that your dogs may likely benefit from sweet potato fries, including the following:
- Richness in Antioxidants:
From the name, you would know that antioxidants are responsible for getting rid of toxins, which are things that should not be in the body.
Inflammation occurs in dogs sometimes and may result in allergies and even arthritis, and this is where antioxidants come in, as they are responsible for relieving these symptoms.
Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, a pigment found in plants that gives them their colour. It gives the potatoes its rich hues while also containing antioxidants that may help combat heart diseases in your dogs.
Read also:Â Is Lavender Safe For Dogs? [Research Finally Comes To An End]
- Rich Source of Minerals:
- Iron:
- Essential for immune system function.
- Essential for oxygen transport in the blood.
- Essential for energy metabolism.
- Zinc:
- Supports thyroid function.
- Supports skin integrity.
- Supports immune system health.
- Calcium:
- Responsible for signalling the nerves.
- Aids in muscle contraction.
- Provides your dog with strong bones and teeth.
- Manganese:
- Essential for metabolism.
- Essential for bone health.
- Essential for absorption of nutrients.
- Phosphorus:
- Required for energy metabolism.
- For healthy bones and teeth.
- Potassium:
- Required for balance of fluids.
- Required for signalling the nerves.
- Required for proper functioning of the muscle.
- Magnesium:
- Maintenance of energy levels.
- Supports the health of your bones.
- Aids in nerve and muscle transmission.
- Iron:
- Source of Fiber:
Sweet potato fries, which are from sweet potatoes, are a rich source of fiber and are very important for your dogs as they play the following roles:
-
- Aids in digestion.
- It helps overweight dogs to lose weight, as they’ll easily feel full and quickly too.
- Eases diarrhea and constipation.
- Rich in Vitamins:
- Vitamin A:
- Enhances your dog’s vision.
- Helps with muscle and nerve function.
- Keeps your dog’s skin (or coat) healthy and shining.
- Vitamin B6:
- Aids in keeping the immune system of your dog healthy.
- Supports the production of blood cells.
- Vitamin C:
- Aids in the efficiency of your dog’s immune system.
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
- Vitamin B9 (Folate)
- Vitamin A:
From the above information, it would seem like sweet potato fries are totally safe for your dogs since they come with these maximum benefits. But are they really? Can dogs eat sweet potato fries? We will now find out as we proceed.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potato Fries?
Can dogs eat sweet potato fries? Yes, dogs can eat sweet potato fries, however, this does not mean that it is totally safe to feed them to your dogs.
It is important to contact your vet before feeding sweet potato fries to your pet dogs. Even though your dogs do not develop any symptoms after consuming the sweet potato fries, it is still important that they visit the vet.
Feeding sweet potato fries to your dogs comes with the following symptoms which I will explain soon as we proceed:
- Inflammation of the pancreas due to consumption of fatty food (sweet potato fries in this case) which can result in diarrhea and vomiting.
- Anemia and damage to red blood cells due to the garlic and onions used to cook the sweet potato fries.
There are still other damages that can be done if your dog consumes these fries in excessive quantity, so I will explain how much sweet potato fries should be fed to your dog in the next sub-heading.
Read also:Â Allergies and Dog Food: How to Find the Right Fit for Sensitive Pets
How Much Sweet Potato Fries Can Dogs Have?
Just like I had previously established, because something has useful benefits, it does not mean that it is totally safe and should be taken in excessive quantities, and this also applies to the relationship between sweet potato fries and your dog.
Too much of everything is not good, and too much sweet potato fries for your dog is definitely a bad idea.
It is advisable not to feed these fries to your dogs, but if you still insist, then you must consider the following factors:
- The size of your dog.
- The health condition of your dog.
- The activity level of your dog.
Sweet potato fries are just carbs and should be seen as that. They should never be made the main diet of your dog. In fact, in composition, your dog should be fed nothing above 10% of dog treats (which includes sweet potato fries).
If you truly care about the health and overall performance of your dog, you must avoid feeding them processed foods, including the following:
- Potato skin
- French fries
- Potato chips, etc.
What are the Dangers of Feeding Sweet Potato Fries to Dogs?
- Toxic Ingredients:
Garlic and onions are part of the ingredients that could be used to prepare sweet potato fries. These ingredients are very unsafe for your dog as they contain sulfur, which is capable of damaging the red blood cells of your dog.
This is why processed foods for your dog must be avoided at all costs.
Peradventure you are guilty of feeding processed food to your dogs; this is a call to stop it now if you really love your dog. Smiles!
- Excess Oil:
To fry food, oil is a major ingredient. Oil is required when making sweet potato fries to ensure that it stays soft and crispy. However, this makes it very unhealthy for your dog’s consumption.
Some of the oils that may be used for sweet potato fries include the following:
- Vegetable oil
- Corn oil
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Canola
- Soybean, etc.
As I had earlier mentioned, excessive consumption of this oil can lead to inflammation of the pancreas, which can result in diarrhea and vomiting.
Excess gain of weight can also be noticed in your dog due to long-term consumption of this meal.
- Preservatives:
One major reason why processed food must be avoided is the fact that they contain preservatives. Preservatives are there to ensure that this processed food lasts a long period of time; however, this is not safe for both us and our pets.
Preservatives in processed food do not kill immediately, but they however have their effects that may be noticed in the coming future.
One would say that most dog foods, if not all, contain preservatives, but this is the more reason why you must try to be careful with them.
As much as they are recommended for your dogs, you must also read through the ingredients to ensure that you do not feed your dog something that may result in unforeseen circumstances.
Research is therefore a requirement to preserve the lifespan of your dog.
Read also:Â Can Dogs Eat Cake? Facts You Should Know
Conclusion
We highly recommend that if you must feed sweet potatoes to your dog, then it must be the cooked ones, as they are less risky than the fried sweet potatoes.
Sweet potato fries may come with so many health benefits for your dogs, but feeding them excessively to your dog is out of the equation. Salt, fat, and grease are unsafe for your dogs and hence must be fed to them at a minimum.
If you do care about the health and overall performance of your pet dog, you should always contact your vet before feeding them with these treats.
Can dogs eat sweet potato fries? Yes, they can, but do not overfeed them with it. Thank you for reading!
Kindly do us the honour of dropping questions that you may have concerning dogs and sweet potato fries. We will be waiting in the comments section below!
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