Chef Sarah Do you love the taste of sweet potato? If yes, then you should try making these dried treats at home for your dog. Most dogs love sweet potatoes and as a bonus, they are a healthy snack for them too!
Sweet potatoes are nutritional powerhouses, with high levels of beta carotene and fiber. They also rank low on the glycemic index, so they won’t spike your dog’s blood sugar like other carbs can.
They’re a great choice for people who want to cut out sugars or gluten from their dog’s diet. And because sweet potatoes are less processed than white potatoes, you get more nutrients in every bite!
Sweet potatoes are a very healthy food that contains lots of vitamins and minerals. This makes them perfect for dogs who need extra nutrition.
Why you’ll love this recipe
• A tastier alternative to a traditional dry dog biscuit
• Chewy and crunchy texture that dogs love
• Helps reduce inflammation in joints
• High in antioxidants to help your dog fight inflammation
• They have lower weight gain than other dry treats
What are the health benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs?
Sweet potatoes are beneficial for dogs because of their natural antioxidant content. Potatoes reduce inflammation and can help with joint problems, while the antioxidants ward off infections. Sweet potato chips are also typically less fattening than traditional dry dog treats, so can be healthier overall!
The health benefits of sweet potatoes for dogs include high antioxidant levels that help them fight inflammation in their joints, lower weight gain when compared to other types of dry dog treats, and healing components in the food.
What exactly are sweet potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are a member of the vegetable family and unlike regular white potatoes they have very bright orange flesh. They also contain packed with antioxidants, vitamins such as B6 and C, iron and fiber. Most importantly however sweet potato is a source of carotenoids which help your dog’s skin and coat stay healthy, making them perfect for their sensitive digestive tract!
With the right methods we can turn this vegetable into delicious chews and chip treats that any pup will love.
Types of sweet potato
Sweet potatoes come in many varieties but the popular ones are:
Japanese Sweet Potatoes (murasaki) are long and thin with a reddish-purple skin and creamy white flesh. The flavor has more of a candy-like sweetness, with a nutty, chestnut-like flavor. The texture is starchy and moist making it great for mashing of making into chews for your dog.
American Sweet Potatoes are short, squat and have a reddish-orange skin with deep orange flesh. The most common variety of sweet potato is Beauregard. The skin is red and the flesh is brilliant orange and has the sweetest taste. The slightly stringy, soft, and moist texture makes it great for mashing into a puree to add to your dog’s meals.
What’s the difference between yams and sweet potatoes?
Yams and sweet potatoes are similar looking on the outside, but they’re very different inside. “Yams” are actually a type of plant that doesn’t come from the ground like sweet potatoes do–they come out of the stem of another kind of vine plant, called Dioscorea.
True yams contain more fiber than sugar starch, while sweet potatoes have more sugar than fiber. Yams are found mainly in Asia, Africa, South America, and Southern parts of the United States. Yams have thick, bumpy, fibrous brown skin and a creamy white color inside that is similar to that of yucca.
Can dogs eat sweet potatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat sweet potatoes. They can be baked and used for breakfast, boiled and mashed with other vegetables for a nutritious side dish or roasted and enjoyed as a treat. You may add pumpkin pie spice to add some flavour.
However, it should be mentioned that raw sweet potato is not suggested for dogs since it contains a lot of carbohydrates. Instead, sweet potatoes should be dried, dehydrated, or cooked for dogs.
How long does it take to dehydrate sweet potatoes?
Dehydrating sweet potatoes can take anywhere from six to 18 hours, depending on the level of dryness you want in your final product. On a low setting with a wide range of heat, it’s best to leave them in for longer periods up to about 12 hours. And if you’re going for a higher content of moisture at a low level of heat for a short time, 4-6 hours will be sufficient.
How thick should I slice my sweet potatoes for dog treats?
If you are drying the sweet potato chips in a food dehydrator, slice them between 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick. In the oven, cut them at least 1/4 inch thick, thicker if you want them as chews.
Ideas for adding extra flavour to your Sweet Potato Dog Chews
Sweet potatoes make excellent dog treats because they’re easy to bake in your oven or dehydrate in your machine without any special equipment required. You can add extra flavorings such as these
- Sprinkle with cinnamon for antioxidant power
- Dust with turmeric for inflammation
- Crumble a beef or chicken bouillon cube over them
- Soak in boiling chicken or beef stock for 5 minutes
How to make these easy dried sweet potato dog treats
If you’re a dog owner, chances are your pup is one of the most important things in the world to you. But what about when they get bored? It can be hard to find something that keeps them occupied for hours on end. Luckily, there’s an easy solution–sweet potatoes! You might not know it yet, but sweet potatoes make excellent chews and chips for dogs. They’re healthy, tasty, and fun for your pup! Here’s how to do it:
Best Ever Simple DIY Dried Sweet Potato Dog Treats
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- Chopping Board
- Baking sheet
- Parchment Paper
- Dehydrator (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 large Sweet Potato
- 2 tbsp Olive oil in a spray bottle
Instructions
- Wash and slice your sweet potato to the desired thickness ( see notes)1 large Sweet Potato
Cooking Method 1: Oven dried
- Preheat oven to 120˚C/ 250˚ F.
- Place your slices on parchment paper on your baking sheet.
- Spray your olive oil lightly over the slices.2 tbsp Olive oil
- Put in oven and bake for 2 hours.
- Turn slices over and bake for another hour.
- Check every 1/2 hour until they reach the desired texture (chewy or crispy).
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @recipetsblog on Instagram!
Cooking Method 2: Dehydrator
- Place your slices in the dehydrator on the food racks. Do not overlap the slices.
- Set your dehydrator temperature to 55˚C/ 135˚ F.
- Set they drying time to 6 hours and check the texture. Add more time if you want crunchy chip treats.
- Store fully dried dehydrated sweet potato chews in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
- Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @recipetsblog on Instagram!
Notes
Ideas for adding extra flavour to your Sweet Potato Dog Chews
Sweet potatoes make excellent dog treats because they’re easy to bake in your oven or dehydrate in your machine without any special equipment required. You can add extra flavorings such as these- Sprinkle with cinnamon for antioxidant power
- Dust with turmeric for inflammation
- Crumble a beef or chicken bouillon cube over them
- Soak in boiling chicken or beef stock for 5 minutes