Every new dog owner ask me can my dog eat yams?
Well, my furry pup can sniff yams from far and come running towards me for sharing a bite every time.
Mostly in autumn, it’s our favorite holiday snack.
Surely, it is rich in fiber and potassium. Moreover, yams are supremely nutritious for humans.
But can dogs eat yams and enroll into the same benefits?
Long story short, yes! They can.
Without farther ado, let’s sink into some summarized details regarding dogs eating yams and a lot more!
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Nutritional Benefits of Yams
It’s true that dogs often endure with food sensitivities and bladder problems due to excessive fiber and protein consumption. Although, yams are a mild yet sophisticated snack for your cuddly pooch.
Still, adversity often leads to prosperity. So, understanding the consequences and outcomes of yams consumption can help you to deal with any farther mishap.
Here are the nutritional wonders which your sprightly pup can obtain from yams. Check’em out!
Natural Fiber
One of the richest compound among all the nutrients is natural fiber. And surprisingly, yams are a great source of natural fiber. If you own a pug or Doberman, you are probably worried about sudden weight gain and obese.
In that case, natural fiber helps to eliminate excessive fat from your dog’s body through a healthy digestive system.
It regulates your pup’s bowel movement, reduces food sensitivities, combats with bladder problems and GTI(Gastrointestinal Tract Infection).
Potassium
The second main compound found in yams is potassium. You’ll be astonished to know that this nutrient is extensively effective to build healthy and lean muscles.
Moreover, to ensure your canine’s overall well-being, you need to include potassium in his meal.
Because it not only keeps them dynamic throughout all day, but also reduces the overall risk of mortality.
Just imagine! 3 or 4 moderate slices of yams in everyday snack and your fluffy buddy will have a long life and remain energetic even in his adulthood.
Anti-oxidants
One of the core aspects of consuming food that bears anti-oxidants is to enhance the immune system.
You might know that pups are prone to fall sick even through minor irregularity in their regular intakes.
Anti-oxidants work tremendously to trigger the immune system to reduce all sort of health risks. It helps to protect your pup from severe diseases like bladder stones, urinary tract issues, food sensitivities, dehydration, etc.
Therefore, it becomes mandatory to provide yams in your pup’s everyday snack.
Vitamins
Well, just like humans, dogs tend to have more resistance from illness while they intake vitamin C. You can’t deny the wonders of this miraculous substance.
Initially vitamin A, B6, iron, and calcium helps to nourish your pup’s overall health in different regards.
Such as; vitamin A supports to mount sharp and healthy eyesight. On the other hand, B6, iron, and calcium help to build strong joints and lean muscles.
Apart from these, vitamins work greatly to provide smooth and glaze coat.
So these are the main nutritional health benefits of yams. Now, you’re surely convinced that dogs can eat yam. In fact, it will be their loss if they miss to devour this starchy and flavorful meal.
Yams or Sweet Potatoes? What’s the difference?
Here, the confusion begins.
When it comes to differentiating yams and sweet potatoes, you might feel puzzled. Because they have many things in common and contradicting nutritional hazards as well.
Last autumn I went to my uncle’s farm and witnessed the process of harvesting ripened yams and potatoes.
Yeah, that’s true that both are underground veggies and look quite similar. But surprisingly, they belong from different plant origins. Also, they bear diverse nutritional properties.
Below, I am going to tell you about the key differences between yams and sweet potatoes.
| Sweet Potatoes | Yams |
| 1. Sweet potatoes are starchy and dry. | 1. Yams are way more starchier and drier than sweet potatoes. |
| 2. Sweet potatoes can’t grow that large. | 2. Yams grow very large. Typically larger than sweet potatoes. |
| 3. These taste strongly sweet. | 3. These taste mildly sweet. |
| 4. They appear in numerous color varieties. Such as orange, purple, dark-skinned,golden-skinned, paled skinned, etc. | 4. They don’t have many color variations. In fact, they look uglier than sweet potatoes along with the hairy outer shell. |
| 5. Vastly found in local groceries and farms. | 5. Hardly found in local groceries. |
| 6. Sweet potatoes have the fusiform shape. | 6. Yams are cylindrical in shape. |
It will be easier for you to differentiate sweet potatoes and yams. Moreover, yams have abundant varieties and nutritional benefits than sweet potatoes.
In fact, some local grocers make a lot of money by selling sweet potatoes in the name of yams. Unethical, right?
Some Unknown Facts
Interestingly, yams have more nutritional values than sweet potatoes. Where some dog owners can’t think their dog’s regular diet without sweet potatoes, some, on the other hand, avoid sweet potatoes.
Why?
Because some recent researches articulated that sweet potatoes can lead your pup to food sensitivities and obesity.
Well, that statement isn’t all about smoke and rain. It really has some guts.
Due to excessive carbohydrate and fiber intake, your dog might face digestion problems. Because pups generally have a sensitive digestive system.
A bit of inconvenience and unconsciousness can lead them to severe health disease.
Therefore, I am providing you with some crucial tips to ensure safe and sound health of your puppy.
Note Them Down!
- Give your pup yams and other main courses in moderate quantity. Because yams contain sugar which can cause weight gain and other digestive problems.
- Make sure your dog is drinking sufficient water. You should keep a container with clean and cold water in multiple areas of your house where your pup is supposed to wander and feel like drinking whenever they want.
- See your pup’s veterinarian on a regular basis for checkups.
- Take your puppy for grooming. Hence, he will get fresh air and regular evening walk will help him to remain active.
- Stick to decent dietary recipes which exclude excessive carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals.
Bottom Line
There’s no doubt that yams are beneficial towards dogs. But it’s also true that too much consumption can increase their sugar level and hamper their digestive system.
Also, some pups are relatively picky eaters than other animals. They might not like the taste after several intakes. In that case, stop serving them yams and look for other alternatives.
I wish you have a healthy and adventurous life with your cuddly buddy. See you soon!
