Last Updated September 20, 2020

Benefits of Sweet Potato for Dogs

Sweet potato or kamote is one of the natural superfoods that your fur-baby can enjoy. Your dogs will love it not only because they find it super yummy, but also because It is safe, healthy, natural, and ultimately nutritious for them. BidaBest Dog Food contains sweet potato and we want you to know what exactly your dogs can get from sweet potatoes. Below are the nutrients that your dogs will enjoy when consuming sweet potatoes:

Vitamin A (derived from Beta Carotine)

Ever wondered why Kamote is yellow/gold/orange in color? Well that is because it is filled with Beta Carotine. Similar to our article about the benefits of squash for dogs:

“Vitamin A is an essential component for dogs and their vision, immune system health, and even their reproductive system health. Since it is also derived from Beta Carotine, there is no chance for the Vitamin A to cause any toxicity for your dog.”

Additionally, beta-carotene is an antioxidant. This helps reduce the risk of certain types of cancer and heart problems in dogs. According to Steve Doerr, a Technical Director and Research and Development Scientist for pet food:

“Each Beta-carotene converts to two molecules of Vitamin A in your dog’s body, which is essential for your dog’s vision, bone growth, skin and reproduction”

This means that beta-carotine and vitamin A goes hand-in-hand in keeping your dog healthy.

Fiber

Sweet potatoes are a great source for fiber. Generally speaking, fiber for dogs works very similarly to humans - it aids in their digestion and general bowel movement. This is one of the reasons why sweet potatoes are added in dog food mixes.

Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C

Together with Vitamin A, sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Vitamin C aids in keeping your dog’s fur coat shiny and healthy whereas vitamin B6 aids in synthesizing protein for your dog which ultimately helps them grow strong. Vitamin B6 also helps in regulating the mood of your doggo by regulating the secretion of hormones. Lastly, vitamin B6 also helps in maintaining the correct potassium-sodium balance which is connected to their own internal water regulation system which ensures your dog is well hydrated.

Minerals

Minerals such as Potassium, Calcium, and Iron are abundant in sweet potatoes for their calorie count. Similar to squash, potassium promotes muscle growth, boosts metabolism, and maintains organ function while calcium helps in providing stronger bones, better coat, and will also aid the nervous system. Iron, on the other hand, is directly involved in blood flow and the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin.

But wait, aren’t sweet potatoes loaded with starchy, complex carbohydrates that eventually turns into glucose or sugar? Well yes, they are. While it is important to note that dogs do not necessarily need dietary carbohydrates, it does not discount the other benefits that they can get from sweet potatoes. What is important is to not overload on sweet potatoes - the amount should be considered when adding this ingredient to their diet!

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