Can my dog eat butternut or sweet potato, and what are the benefits?

Hello, & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If the majority of your pups diet is a good quality puppy food ( at least 80% ), then you can supplement with the sweet potatoes, vegetables (?), & only a very small amount of pumpkin. Pumpkin has a lot of fiber, so restrict this so as not to cause a loose stool. Also, make sure it is canned, or cooked pumpkin, & not pumpkin pie filling. Take care.

Sweet potatoes are not toxic to dogs, so I would not normally expect this to cause any problems apart from some GI upset if she isn't used to eating human food like this. So your pup will probably be just fine :)

Hello, and thank you for your question. Raw sweet potato should not be toxic to dogs. However, it is likely not easily digestible, and so may cause diarrhea. Another concern I would have is whether Kira ate a large chunk of the potato which may cause an obstruction in her stomach or intestines. For now, I would continue to monitor her. You can try offering her small, frequent meals of a bland diet such as boiled chicken and white rice. This may help alleviate any GI upset. If she starts vomiting or becomes disinterested in food, or if her diarrhea does not improve within 1-2 days, I would get her to the vet. They can assess for a possible obstruction through physical exam and x-rays, and at minimum provide supportive medications to help get her feeling better quickly. I hope this helps, and that Kira continues to do well!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Potatoes are safe for dogs to eat, as long as they are cooked and given in small pieces so that dogs do not choke on them. Potatoes are high in carbs, but provide vitamins including vitamins A and C, as well as iron. Pieces of cooked potato can be given as a small snack, but should not constitute a large portion of your pet's diet. I hope this is helpful!

Peeled, boiled plain sweet potatoes can be offered occasionally and in small quantities. They are high in carbohydrates though and could cause weight gain or inhibit weight loss if fed in large quantities. Consider an exam with your veterinarian first to rule out medical causes for Pavi's weight issues. To get her to lose weight, decrease the overall amount of food she is eating, increase her activity and limit snacks/treats. Cooked or raw green beans, without oils or seasonings, can be added to her meals to provide bulk. You can also discuss commercial weight loss diets with your veterinarian. When switching foods, do it gradually to prevent stomach upset.

Boiled veggies such as carrots, potato, broccoli etc are all fine to give as treats, but they should not make up the majority of Shiro's diet. You should make sure he is on a balanced diet of puppy food to ensure he grows up strong and healthy. However, if he likes snacking on some potato or carrot, that should be fine to give him - just make sure it is plain boiled and doesn't have any added spices or sauces on it which may cause an upset stomach.

Pumpkin is good because it adds fiber to the diet leading to regular defecation, and when a dog has regular stools, that helps express the anal sacs. In fact, pumpkin is recommended to give to dogs when they are constipated. For her digestive health and anal sacs, pumpkin would be the best to give her, but as a treat, you can switch out to another tablespoon of veggies every now and then :-)