Can dogs eat yams? High-quality dog food and even treats tend to include yams and sweet potatoes, but can dogs eat yams on their own? Are they a safe dietary option for dogs?
The short answer is yes, yams are safe for dogs to eat, but only when cooked. Similar to sweet potatoes, or any kind of potato really, raw yams contain toxic properties. But, luckily, the cooking process eliminates the threat, leaving a nutritious vegetable for your dog’s diet.
That being said, you must always run new additions to your dog’s diet by your veterinarian. In the meantime, here’s what you should know about how yams can be a nutritious option for your dog.
How Are Yams Good For Dogs?
Steamed or boiled yams are incredibly nutritious for both humans and dogs. For dogs, you just don’t want to add any additional ingredients. While we might like sautéing our yams with things like onion or garlic, both are highly toxic for dogs.
The yam itself, though, when properly prepared, is loaded with nutrients.
They’re a superb source of cancer-fighting beta carotene, magnesium, manganese, vitamin B6, iron, zinc, calcium, and potassium. All of these aid in supporting your dog’s overall health and digestion and do wonders for their coat. Plus, they fight off heart disease!
Dietary fiber is also a huge plus for gut health. Just one cup of baked yams contains roughly five whole grams of fiber. That being said, a cup is far too much for your dog.
And finally, yams are low-fat, low-calorie, and low-sodium, which makes them a great addition. However, they are high in carbohydrates and sugar, so minimal additions, in moderation, are necessary.
How Can I Safely Give Yams To My Dog?
As mentioned above, moderation is key here, as well as preparation.
Due to the sugar content of yams, they don’t make for a great daily treat. They’re best served in very small amounts, incorporated into a meal where they are not the star of the dish.
If you have a smaller dog, only a teaspoon is recommended. For larger dogs, a tablespoon of cooked yams is okay.
Dog food that primarily consists of potatoes, or yams, isn’t recommended. It’s been cited by the FDA that these kinds of dog foods bring on Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy, a form of heart disease.
Dietary fiber can also be a cause for some concern. In moderation, this is wonderful for our dogs, but too much can cause serious stomach upset, diarrhea, and further digestion issues.
Above all, though, proper preparation is most important.
Both raw potatoes and raw yams contain solanine and oxalates. These have an adverse effect on your dog’s kidneys, digestion, and nervous system, and can cause kidney failure.
By cooking yams, you reduce the levels of solanine and oxalates dramatically, enough so that they become healthy and nutritious for dogs to consume.
Do you include yams in your dog’s homecooked meals? How do they like the taste of it? Let us know in the comments below.
