Since yams are a type of vegetable, the answer is yes. Read this before feeding your pet the accompanying dish.
This article will help you differentiate between yams and sweet potatoes, as well as learn which yams are appropriate for your pet and which you should avoid.
Can My Dog Eat Yams?
Yes! Your dog will benefit greatly from small, cooked, unseasoned portions of yams (both true yams and the sweet potato variety).
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes Or Yams
It’s good for your dog’s health to eat either yams or sweet potatoes. The best and safest way to give your dog sweet potatoes is to cook them without adding any sugar or seasonings.
Very high in beneficial fiber and vitamin A. For this reason, they are excellent for the health of your dog’s digestive system and cardiovascular system.
Additionally, they contain few sugars of any kind and are thus excellent for controlling blood sugar levels. Vitamin B6 is present, which will help keep your dog active and healthy.
They are also a good source of other vitamins.
Are Yams Ok For Dogs
As long as they are free of potentially harmful additives, yams are fine for dogs to eat. Yams seasoned with nutmeg or sweetened with xylitol should never be given to a dog because of the potential for poisoning.
Sugar is another thing you should avoid giving your dog.
To ensure your dog’s health, only feed them plain, lightly seasoned yams.
As a nutritious food, sweet potatoes offer numerous advantages. They promote cardiovascular health and aid in maintaining skin and eye wellness.
Why Are Yams Good For Dogs To Eat?
Yams are beneficial because they contain many essential nutrients, including the fiber, potassium, and manganese, which all work together to keep your bones, heart, and metabolism healthy.
Vitamin C, a potent immune-boosting antioxidant, and copper, a mineral necessary for the production of red blood cells and the absorption of iron, are both abundant in yams.
Diosgenin, a compound found only in yams, may have positive effects on brain health. D mice fed an excessive amount of diosgenin have better memory and learning abilities, according to the studies.
Iosgenin is the basis for a number of anti-infectious pharmaceuticals and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects as well.
Another study found that eating a lot of yams may help prevent cancer and slow tumor growth. Research has even linked yams to better kidney and liver cell function.
There is some evidence that a diet rich in yams can help control diabetes in canines. There isn’t any hard proof yet, but one study found that the tuber helped with blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity.
What Is The Difference Between A Yam and A Sweet Potato?
True yams, which are grown throughout the tropics on a vine, are a starchy, dry tuber. Their skins can be anywhere from white to a reddish brown and are extremely rough and difficult to peel.
Because 95% of all yams are grown in Africa and must be imported to the West, you will most likely only find true yams in specialty stores.
However, sweet potatoes are an important food crop in the Americas. They can have coppery brown skin and bright orange flesh, or golden skin and white flesh. In general, the golden variety is less sugary.
Yams are typically less sweet and more cylindrical than their sweet potato counterparts.
In many cases, the orange-fleshed sweet potato is mislabeled as a yam at the supermarket. They call them that so that people know to distinguish them from sweet potatoes with whiter, creamier flesh.
How Do I Feed My Dog Yams?
Always cook yams and sweet potatoes before giving them to your dog. Some varieties are poisonous unless cooked, and eating them raw is a hassle regardless.
Dogs can be fed either boiled or baked yams. Throw some diced yam into a pot of water and put it over medium heat to boil. Wait 20–25 minutes, or until the food is tender.
For baking, set the oven temperature to 350 degrees and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil. Cut the yam into slices and lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes, or until soft.
Avoid adding any salt, spices, oil, or butter to the yams you plan to feed your dog, and wait until they are completely cool.
Cut the yam into small pieces if it is still firm after you’ve cooked it for your dog.
Large pieces of the tough yam could cause choking or intestinal blockage, both of which are painful conditions that would require veterinary attention.
Although yams are easily accessible in a can, they are not a healthy option for canine diets. The high sugar and preservative content of canned yams makes them a poor choice for your dog’s diet.
As for feeding your dog any of the leftover yams from the holidays, you should just throw that idea out the window. Nutmeg-flavored dishes are never to be served to them. Toxic to dogs is the spice.
What If My Dog Eats Raw Yam?
Before being cooked, the tannins in some types of yams can be poisonous. It’s bad for your dog if you give them to them.
Keep a close eye on your dog for signs of vomiting and diarrhea if it eats a raw true yam. Do not hesitate to contact your emergency vet if any of these or other unusual behaviors are observed.
How Do I Add Yams To My Dog’s Diet?
It’s simple to include yams, which are rich in nutrients, in your dog’s diet. Yams, either boiled or baked, can be mashed into your dog’s regular meal or served on their own, either in a puree or diced into small pieces.
When introducing yams to a dog, do so cautiously. Too much too quickly can cause gastrointestinal distress, potentially leading to loose stools or diarrhea due to its high fiber content.
Dried yams are a delicious treat for canines. Check out our recipe for dehydrated veggie treats for details on how to make some at home.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Yams
Sweet potatoes and yams should never be fed raw to a dog. Their stomach will be upset and they may even get a blockage from all the raw vegetables.
Never feed your dog a yam with the skin still on it. That fiber is unnecessary for your pet’s diet.
Your dog should only eat cooked yams.
Can Dogs Eat Yams Cooked
Yams can be prepared in a wide variety of ways, some of which are riskier than others. Let’s take a closer look at yams, the many ways to prepare them, and the question of whether or not you should feed them to your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Baked Yams
Dogs can safely eat plain baked yams that haven’t been flavored in any way.
Prepare the yams by baking them peel-free and in bite-sized pieces. Hold off on feeding them to Fido until they’ve cooled down to a safe temperature. If you own a dog with diabetes, you should avoid adding sugar to the yams.
Can Dogs Eat Boiled Yams
Boiled yams are safe for dogs to eat. As a result, they won’t bother your dog’s stomach as much and are safer for him to eat. You can make a tasty treat for your dog by peeling and boiling the apples before cutting them into small pieces.
Can Dogs Eat Fried Yams
Fried foods are dangerous for dogs to eat. A dog’s digestive system would not appreciate the oil and grease. Instead, cook the yams by baking or boiling them for safety.
Can Dogs Eat Yam Fries
Dogs can safely consume a small amount of yam fries as an alternative to french fries, but the amount fed will depend on the preparation method used.
Breaded and deep-fried yam fries are unhealthy, so they shouldn’t eat too many of them. These are the unhealthiest option available.
Sliced and roasted yams, without any seasonings or sauces, make the best yam fries for dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Steamed Yams
Yams cooked in water are safe for dogs to eat. Before you season them with salt or other spices, offer some to your dog. Your dog won’t have any trouble gnawing on and swallowing these treats.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Yams
Most yams you find in a can are actually sweet potatoes preserved in syrup. Sugary or overly sweet foods should be avoided when feeding your dog.
You can safely give your dog a taste or two of these sweet yams, but a large serving is probably not a good idea.
Can Dogs Eat Candied Yams
Canines should avoid eating candied yams. They contain mostly sugar, which may make it harder for them to maintain a healthy weight. Fresh yams are best prepared by boiling or baking.
Can Dogs Eat Yams In Syrup
Even yams covered in syrup are bad for dogs to eat. They will experience a surge and subsequent drop in blood sugar due to the syrup. Dogs are susceptible to weight gain and diabetes if they consume a diet high in sugar and calories.
Can Dogs Eat Frozen Yams
Dogs can safely consume frozen yams; just check the label for any added preservatives or other potentially harmful ingredients. Avoid giving your dog anything containing nutmeg, cinnamon, or xylitol.
Keep an eye out for diarrhea if you decide to feed your dog something new. Add a small amount to your dog’s regular food to help him adjust to the fiber.
Dogs & Yams: Different Types
A wide variety of yams may be found in exotic food markets. For their wholeness, many people feel compelled to feed them to their dogs. All of the true yam varieties listed here are completely dog-safe.
Can Dogs Eat Purple Yams
Dogs can, in fact, eat purple yams. They are more healthful than white potatoes.
You can also prepare them as Ube, and they’ll be a lot healthier for your pet than other options. In order to prevent gastrointestinal problems and choking hazards for puppies, the skin must be removed.
Can Dogs Eat Red Yams
Red yams are safe for canines to eat. Uncooked yams can cause stomach upset in canines, so be sure to cook them thoroughly.
Can Dogs Eat Garnet Yams
You can think of a sweet potato as a garnet yam. Its outer skin is a brownish orange color, while its flesh is a vibrant orange. You won’t find the sugary sweetness of regular sweet potatoes here. If you cook the garnet yams, they are completely safe for your dog to eat.
Can Dogs Eat White Yams
Once they have been cooked, white yams are fine for canines to eat. Your dog probably won’t enjoy them as much as he would regular orange sweet potatoes because of the lack of sweetness.
Can Dogs Eat Yellow Yams
You can feed your dog some yellow yams without any worries. These yams are dry and starchy. Dogs won’t eat raw bones; cooking them first is a must.
Can Dogs Eat Japanese Yams
Japanese yams are dog-friendly. They have a lot of vitamin A and vitamin C. After you’ve peeled and cooked them, you can feed your dog a small amount at a time.
Can Dogs Eat Chinese Yams
Dioscorea polystachya, more commonly known as Chinese yams, is a tall, tubular plant. Unlike annual vines, this one lives for many years and climbs. In moderate amounts, after being peeled and cooked, they are fine for your dog to eat.
Can Dogs Eat Korean Yams
The flesh of Korean sweet potatoes is yellow, and the skin is a brownish purple. They have a sweeter flavor than their American counterparts. Dogs can safely consume them if they are baked and served plain.
Can Dogs Eat Yam Bean
The jicama plant is commonly mistaken as the Mexican yam bean. You can use my guide to jicama and dogs to learn more.
Can Dogs Eat Yam Leaves
Yam leaves are not safe for canine consumption. The yam itself is the only safe part of the plant for canines to consume. Before feeding it to your dog, you should peel it and cook it.
In the event that your dog consumes yam leaves, be on the lookout for signs of stomach distress and make an appointment with your vet if necessary.
Final Thoughts
People and canines alike benefit greatly from eating yams. To be safe, you can feed your dog a portion of the plain yam you’re preparing for yourself.
Just make sure the vegetable is fully cooked and the toxic ingredients are kept out of your pet’s reach. Call your vet if you see any signs of illness after feeding your dog yams or sweet potatoes.