Although the phrases “yam” and “sweet potato” are sometimes used interchangeably, they are two distinct foods! Although they have a similar look, yams have a starchier flavor, whilst sweet potatoes, as the name suggests, have a sweeter flavor.
I’m sure your dog would like a mouthful of both, whether you choose yams or sweet potatoes. We already know that dogs can eat sweet potatoes, so the next issue is whether they can eat yams. Is it true that yams are excellent for dogs? Let’s see what we can find out!
Can Dogs Eat Yams?
Yes, yams may be eaten by dogs. They’re high in vitamins and fiber, and they’re low in calories and fat. These characteristics make them an excellent and nutritious choice for dogs!
To assure your dog’s safety, the yams must be prepared in some way, such as microwaving, boiling, or baking, and they must be devoid of any spices or flavors. To minimize choking or intestinal obstruction, the yams should be either mashed or sliced into little pieces.
It’s vital to remember that mistakes do happen, and dogs might readily consume items they shouldn’t. Even if the incidents aren’t deadly, they might result in significant, unanticipated veterinary costs.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Beans?
How to Cook Yams for Dogs
- Wash the yams thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris.
- Peel the yams and cut them into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are an appropriate size for your dog.
- Boil or steam the yam pieces until they are tender. Avoid adding any seasonings, salt, or oil.
- Let the yams cool down before serving them to your dog. You can serve them plain or mix them with your dog’s regular food.
Benefits of Yams for Dogs
- Yams are a good source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and manganese, which can support your dog’s overall health.
- They are high in fiber, which can aid in digestion and help regulate bowel movements.
- Yams contain antioxidants that can help boost your dog’s immune system and protect against certain diseases.
- The natural sugars in yams provide a source of energy for your dog, making them a nutritious addition to their diet.
Are Yams Good For Dogs?
“Can dogs eat yams?” is a question we’ve already addressed. Let’s have a look at some of the benefits of feeding your dog this food. Is it true that yams are excellent for dogs?
Yes, yams are beneficial to your dog’s health. Yams are high in fiber and low in calories. There are six grams of fiber in one cup of yams! What is the significance of fiber? Fiber aids in the digestion of food.
When fiber is consumed, it is fermented into fatty acids by beneficial bacteria, which can aid in the fight against harmful bacteria. Fiber has also been demonstrated to aid in the recovery of the colon after an injury.
Vitamin B-6, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Magnesium, and Iron are just a few of the vitamins and minerals found in yams, in addition to fiber. Vitamin B-6 is one of the most crucial vitamins in the B vitamin family.
Anemia can be exacerbated by a deficiency of this vitamin. It’s employed for a variety of functions, including red blood cell and nervous system function, as well as immunological response and gene activation.
Although dogs can generate vitamin C in their livers, adding a little more to their diet isn’t a bad idea! Vitamin C is an antioxidant, which means it aids in the removal of harmful free radicals and can help decrease inflammation.
Vitamin A is a vital nutrient as well. It’s used to keep the skin, coat, muscles, and nerves in tip-top shape. Without Vitamin A, none of these can operate correctly.
Magnesium and iron are the most common minerals found in yams. Because it is a cofactor, magnesium is essential.
This implies that it works to perform a variety of functions with the support of other vitamins and minerals.
Magnesium is particularly beneficial to hormone activity and secretion. It also helps to keep the correct electrolyte balance across cell membranes. It also keeps calcium moving through the muscles.
The mineral Iron is equally significant. The most significant function of iron is to carry oxygen in hemoglobin. Iron deficiency can have some rather significant consequences.
The fact that yams are low in fat and contain few calories is another major aspect of their health advantages. Because our dogs should obtain all of the calories they require from their regular dog food, treats should not be excessively rich in calories, as this might lead to harmful weight gain.
A cup of yams contains fewer than 200 calories. This implies that the bite-sized chunks you may offer your dog are extremely low in calories. In addition, each cup has 0.3 grams of fat! That’s a really low figure.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Honeydew?
Too much fat in your dog’s diet might cause digestive and cardiovascular problems. As a result, yams are an excellent alternative to offer your dog in moderation.
Another advantage is that yams are high in dioscoretine, a substance that has been researched by veterinarians and proved to aid with blood sugar regulation.
As a result, yams are an excellent alternative for diabetic dogs! Yams are also abundant in antioxidants, which assist to reduce cancer risk by destroying carcinogens, or cancer-causing substances.
Finally, yams contain diosgenin, an anti-inflammatory substance that has been demonstrated to lessen inflammation in dogs suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
Are Yams Bad for Dogs?
“Can dogs eat yams?” is a question we’ve already addressed. Now, let’s look at the risks of giving this food to your dog! Are yams unhealthy for dogs?
No, most yams are safe for dogs to eat. However, there are a few factors to keep in mind.
Dogs are known to be poisonous to several yam kinds. Tannins, which are found in some yam skins and are the poisonous portion of the yam, are present in these yams.
Because they are only poisonous when eaten raw, it’s recommended not to feed your dog raw yams. While not all types are poisonous, some are, and the majority can be difficult to digest.
Also, if you’re sharing your supper with your dog, make sure you haven’t added any spices to his half of the dish. Spices can enhance the flavor of yams, but they are not always beneficial for dogs.
Many spices can cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs, and some can even be poisonous. Onion powder and garlic powder, for example, are poisonous to dogs.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Blackberries?
Nutmeg is commonly used in yam dishes throughout the holiday season. Another substance that might be hazardous to dogs is nutmeg. To avoid your dog eating any seasonings, it’s advisable to cook your dog’s yams separately from your own.
Choking and intestinal obstructions are two significant risks connected with feeding human food to dogs. To avoid this, mash the yam into a mush or chop it into little, bite-sized pieces after it has been heated. Depending on the size of your dog, this size may change.
Can Dogs Eat Yams Raw?
Cooked yams, like ordinary potatoes, are typically better for your dogs to eat. Tannins, which are harmful to dogs, are present in some raw yams. Raw yams are often hard, tough to chew, and difficult to digest for dogs, even if the sort of yam you have isn’t harmful to them.
Although it’s best to boil yams before giving them to your dog, if your dog gets hold of a tiny bit of raw yam, there’s no need to panic. Your dog should be well, but keep an eye out for indications of vomiting or diarrhea, which might suggest a more serious issue.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Corn?
Can Dogs Eat Yams Cooked?
Yes, dogs can eat cooked yams, and it’s even encouraged! Uncooked yams are difficult to digest and might even be poisonous! Before giving your dog, chop the cooked yams into little pieces or mash them.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Yams?
No, canned yams are not a good choice for dogs. Canned yams are high in preservatives and sugar, both of which can be toxic to dogs in big amounts. There are a slew of reasons why putting extra sugar in your dog’s food is bad for him.
Is Yam Skin Safe for Your Pup?
No, before offering a yam to your dog, the skin should be removed. Your dog will have a hard time digesting the skin. By removing it ahead of time, you’ll lower your likelihood of experiencing any unfavorable digestive symptoms, such as an intestinal obstruction, which yam skin may cause.
Read also: Can Dogs Eat Raspberries?
In Conclusion: Can Dogs Have Yams?
Yes, yams may be eaten by dogs. Yams are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, anti-inflammatory compounds, blood sugar-regulating compounds, and so much more.
Yams are also a healthy alternative because they don’t add a lot of calories or fat to your dog’s diet. Always prepare yams before serving, then chop or mash them into reasonable portions before serving.
As is customary, do not season or pepper your dog’s food because canines cannot take spices as well as people.
References
1. Hazards of Certain Foods and Other Items to Dogs
Website: Annwn.ca
Article: “Hazards of Certain Foods and Other Items to Dogs”
URL: http://www.annwn.ca/puppy/haz_foods.pdf
2. Are You Feeding Your Dog the Right Amount?
Website: PetMD
Article: “Are You Feeding Your Dog the Right Amount?”
URL: https://www.petmd.com/blogs/nutritionnuggets/dr-coates/2015/july/are-you-feeding-your-dog-right-amount-32905
3. FDA Provides Update on Investigation of Potential Connection Between Certain Diets and Cases of Canine Heart Disease
Website: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Article: “FDA Provides Update on Investigation of Potential Connection Between Certain Diets and Cases of Canine Heart Disease”
URL: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-provides-update-investigation-potential-connection-between-certain-diets-and-cases-canine-heart
4. 6 Surprising Benefits of Sweet Potatoes (Yams)
Website: Healthline
Article: “6 Surprising Benefits of Sweet Potatoes (Yams)”
URL: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/yam-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_2
5. The Benefits of High-Fiber Dog Foods
Website: American Kennel Club (AKC)
Article: “The Benefits of High-Fiber Dog Foods”
URL: https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/benefits-high-fiber-dog-foods/
6. Yam, cooked, boiled, drained, or baked, without salt (Sweetpotato)
Website: Self
Article: “Yam, cooked, boiled, drained, or baked, without salt (Sweetpotato)”
URL: https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2726/2
