Will sweet potato help my cat poop

Can Cats Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are a common human food source, known for their high levels of healthy fiber and antioxidants. Surprisingly, they are only distantly related to white potatoes and are nutritionally quite different.

As cat owners, you may be wondering if cats eat sweet potatoes and if there are any nutritional benefits. Well, the short answer is that our feline friends can eat small amounts of cooked potatoes, although are unlikely to gain many nutritional benefits.

Quick Overview: Can Cats Eat Sweet Potatoes

Is Sweet Potato Good for Cats?

Small amounts of sweet potato can provide a valuable fiber source, which can benefit the digestive system and prevent constipation. They are also a good source of certain vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants. However, these can all be gained from your usual cat food kibble without adding veggies to their diet.

Also Read:The 7 Best Cat Vitamins And Supplements

How Much Sweet Potato Can a Cat Eat?

Cats are obligate carnivores, and not very well adapted to eat veggies. This means that they should only be given in small amounts.

Cat owners can safely give the cooked product, such as steamed sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, or baked sweet potatoes in small amounts, without any added seasonings. Too much sweet potato can cause an upset stomach. Raw sweet potato should never be given as it will lead to digestive issues.

How Often Can a Cat Eat Sweet Potato?

Sweet potato, and other veggies or starchy food, should not form a major part of your cats food, and should only be fed on an occasional basis. Sweet potatoes are known for their high level of carbohydrates, which can cause obesity in our cats, so potato treats should not be given often.

Are Sweet Potatoes Used in Commercial Cat Food?

Yes, some commercial diets use sweet potato as an ingredient. Commercial cat foods are usually animal protein-based, which is what cats digestive systems are adapted to, but use safe vegetables, potatoes, and legumes as added fillers. Sweet potato is often used as a filler which also functions as a digestive aid.

Are Sweet Potatoes Bad for Cats?

The ASPCA lists the sweet potato as being non-toxic to cats, including sweet potato vines, shoots, and stems. However, there are a few things to watch out for.

Overindulgence

Too much sweet potato can cause an upset stomach, and the high level of carbohydrates can cause weight gain and obesity if given too often just as if we ate too many potato chips or French fries.

Raw Sweet Potatoes

Uncooked potatoes can cause digestive issues and a really upset stomach, so should be avoided. Cooked potatoes are more suitable if you want to feed them as a cat food.

Seasonings

Sweet potatoes are safe, but you must still always check the recipe, as some of the commonly added seasonings can be dangerous.

• Marshmallows the high sugar content is not recommended for cats.
• Onions and garlic these are both toxic to cats and should be avoided in any amount.
• Salt too much salt causes excessive thirst and can cause imbalances in sodium and potassium levels leading to kidney problems. Canned sweet potatoes are often very high in salt and should not be given to cats.
• Butter this is a common ingredient in potato treats but high in fat which can lead to weight gain. Many cats are also intolerant to dairy.

This tasty veggie is safe for cats, if fed in small amounts and kept plain. Steamed sweet potatoes or baked sweet potatoes are ideal, as is plain mashed sweet potato.

Also Read:What Can Cats Eat? 36 Human Foods Cats Can Eat and 8 They Cant!

Do Cats Like the Taste of Sweet Potato?

Cats are carnivores, so their favorite tastes and smells are usually meaty or fishy. However, many cats are curious creatures and love to try out new tastes and textures, and may well enjoy sampling a small amount of potato, even if they dont get much nutritional benefit from it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a cat eats sweet potatoes?

Cooked sweet potatoes are perfectly safe to be given to cats in small amounts. A minor stomach upset is possible, but unusual if only a small amount is given. Raw sweet potatoes or potatoes with various added seasonings should be avoided.

How much sweet potato can I give my cat?

Your cats main food should be their usual dry kibble or wet food. Small amounts (a maximum of a full tablespoon is recommended) of sweet potato can be added to your cat food if you like, but the nutritional benefit to your cat will be small.

Are sweet potatoes good for cats and dogs?

They contain a good amount of fiber, which is good for reducing constipation, and contain some vitamins and minerals. They are probably more beneficial for dogs, who are omnivores, than cats, who are carnivores.

Is raw sweet potato good for cats?

No, raw potatoes should never be fed to cats as will likely cause a stomach upset.

Can Cats Eat Sweet Potato? Facts & Feline Nutrition Tips

Sweet potatoes seem to be gaining traction in the pet food world. You may have seen dog foods advertised with sweet potato as a main ingredient. Thats great for dogs, but it may make you wonder, can cats eat sweet potatoes?

The short answer isof course! Sweet potatoes are non-toxic to cats. However, your cat doesnt need sweet potatoes in their diet, and they should only be an occasional treat. Sure, we have all heard about the benefits of this orange potato, but they do not pertain to your cat. Well explain why below.

Are Sweet Potatoes Nutritional for Cats?

Its important to understand that cats only need meat and water to survive. Unlike dogs, who are omnivores, cats are strict carnivores. Some ingredients found in cat food arent necessarily required, and your cat doesnt really need plant-based protein to help them along.

But, if your cat is a sweet potato connoisseur, its okay for them to eat a small portion occasionally. Sweet potatoes are packed with fiber and full of vitamins and minerals.

Of course, your cat can get those nutrients from their daily diet, and theres no need to add sweet potato for nutritional benefits.

Is Any Part of a Sweet Potato Dangerous for Cats?

Unlike some other plants, the vines, shoots, and stems of sweet potatoes are non-toxic to cats, according to the ASPCA. At most, it may cause an upset belly or diarrhea.

Raw vs Cooked Sweet Potatoes

Cooked sweet potatoes can cause digestive issues if your cat overeats in one sitting. However, small portions can relieve constipation and keep your cat regular since theyre so high in fiber.

Cats should never eat raw sweet potatoes or any raw potato. Raw sweet potatoes can be hard to digest and can wreak havoc on your cats gut. If you catch them munching on a raw sweet potato, watch for signs of an upset stomach.

Seasoned Sweet Potatoes

Seasoned sweet potatoes are unnecessary and dangerous for your feline. If you give your cat a piece of sweet potato, serve it plain without any spices or oils.These are common ingredients used to enhance the flavor of sweet potatoes:

• Marshmallows high in sugar content
• Garlic or onion highly toxic to your cats in all forms
• Table salt causes dehydration
• Walnuts can cause gastrointestinal distress
• Butter high in fat

Its best to keep seasonings out of your cats food bowl.

Do Cats Like the Taste of Sweet Potatoes?

We all know cats can be weird, especially about what they eat. They might be picky about expensive food or different types of treats. The same sentiment extends to sweet potatoes.Sweet potatoes are essentially a non-food item for cats since they arent in their natural diet.

So, your cat can decide for themselves if they even want anything to do with them in the first place. Most felines will pass at the chance to eat a sweet potato without hesitation.

But, if you find your cat stealing a sweet potato fry from or licking a piece fo baked sweet potato off of your fork, they might just enjoy the taste. Its not a big deal, especially if there are no seasonings added to it.

Are Sweet Potatoes Used in Traditional Cat Food?

Some companies use sweet potatoes as an ingredient in their cat food recipes. A few of these formulas include:

• Purina Beyond Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Pate Recipe
• Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe
• I and Love and You Lovingly Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon & Sweet Potato
• Castor & Pollux Organix Grain-Free Organic Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
• Solid Gold Touch of Heaven Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe

As you can see, several brands with nutritional options include sweet potatoes. Mainly, theyre used to smooth digestion.

When in Doubt, Call the Vet

If your cat ate a sweet potato and you still arent convinced about their safety, you can contact your veterinarian for medical guidance.

Final Thoughts

So, now we know that cats can have small amounts of cooked sweet potatoes. Is it the healthiest choice for cats? No, cats only benefit from animal proteins in their diets. However, that doesnt mean the occasional bite or two of a sweet potato will do any harm.

It can also help with pesky issues like constipation or sluggish digestion. Thats only if you can convince your cat to eat it in the first place.

Related Reads:

Featured Image Credit: ivabalk, Pixabay

Can Cats Eat Sweet Potato? Vet-Reviewed Facts to Know!

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more

Sweet potatoes are healthy and filling treats for humans, and they are often given to dogs for the same reasons. In fact, they are found in commercial dog food as a means of providing nutrition and meeting certain nutritional requirements for canines. But does the story change for cats? Are sweet potatoes also a good source of nutrition for felines, or should they avoid them?

When cooked, sweet potatoes are not considered toxic or poisonous to cats. This means it is safe for cats to eat this food, though it may not provide any nutritional benefits and could lead to longer-term health issues for your cat.

Sweet Potato Benefits

Sweet potatoes are surprisingly regular additions to commercial cat foods, and brands including Purina regularly include this ingredient in their cat food ingredient list. In these cases, it is claimed that the high rates of antioxidants and high fiber are beneficial to the cat. Most feline nutritionists, however, claim that there is little to no benefit in feeding sweet potatoes to an obligate carnivore like a cat.

Not Species Appropriate for Obligate Carnivores

Sweet potatoes might be beneficial to dogs, but cats and dogs are very different. While dogs can eat some fruits and vegetables along with meat, cats are strictly obligate carnivores.

Obligate carnivores eat meat and do not eat other foods unless found in the stomach of their prey.

Cats need to get their nutrition mostly from protein derived from meat sources, and while some vegetables do provide protein, they are not considered a complete protein source for cats. Feeding cats protein derived from vegetables also means they will get less of this essential macronutrient from meat sources. Moreover, sweet potatoes are mainly a source of carbohydrates, and since a cats diet should contain minimal carbohydrate levels, they do not make sense as an addition.

A species-appropriate diet is one that an animal species would enjoy when living in the wild. It meets the nutritional requirements of the species and helps ensure that they get everything that they need in their diet without eating foods that they shouldnt.

A species-appropriate diet for a cat would consist primarily of small animals and rodents. They would eat mice, the occasional rabbit, and possibly young chicks. They would rarely eat fish and would never eat grain, and only 1% or 2% of their diet would be fruits, vegetables, and grass.

Sweet Potato Pitfalls

Although sweet potatoes are not considered toxic for cats, they can have long-term negative effects:

• Gastrointestinal Complaints Sweet potatoes contain some fiber. However, sweet potatoes are not the best source of fiber for a cat. Pumpkin would be a better option.
• Obesity Another cause of vomiting and diarrhea is the high level of carbohydrates in sweet potatoes. Cats do not really need many carbs, and another pitfall of incorporating them into your feline friends diet is that they can lead to your cat putting on weight. Overweight cats are more prone to illness and can lead a shorter life.

How Do You Prepare Sweet Potatoes for Cats?

Sweet potatoes are not toxic. They can be fed as treats in very small amounts, though they offer almost no nutritional benefit to your cat and if fed in excess, may cause stomach upset.

If you do intend to feed this food to your cats, you should cook them first. Although raw sweet potatoes are not toxic, they are more likely to give your cat diarrhea and stomach complaints.

Boil the sweet potato. Do not fry it, and always avoid feeding your cat processed foods that are prepared for human consumption because these can incorporate additional ingredients that are unsafe for your feline.

Are Sweet Potatoes Toxic to Cats?

When improperly stored, sweet potatoes can become moldy and may contain a furanoterpenoid toxin. Known as Ipomeamarone, this toxin accumulates in damaged or rotting sweet potatoes. It has been reported to be toxic to the liver, kidneys, and lungs of cows and experimental animals. Cooking or baking does not destroy this toxin. While no study has been done specifically on cats, chances are that cats can also become intoxicated by ingesting moldy sweet potatoes.

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Can Cats Eat Sweet Potatoes?

Strictly speaking, cats can eat sweet potatoes because the unspoiled ones are not toxic. However, although it provides some fiber and protein, this ingredient is mainly a carbohydrate source and is therefore not considered beneficial to cats. It does not meet the nutritional profile for cat food because the cat is an obligate carnivore, and a species-specific diet would be made up primarily of meat and meat-based products.

Although unspoiled sweet potato is not toxic to cats, it has an increased likelihood of giving your cat diarrhea, so if you must feed sweet potato to your cats, it is best to boil it and then feed them a very limited amount.

Never feed your cat a sweet potato that has any indications of spoilage, as it might contain a furanoterpenoid toxin. That goes for humans too! While we do not have cat- or human-specific studies, this is simply a risk not worth taking.

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Featured Image by: Brett_Hondow, Pixabay