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Can cats eat sweet potatoes? Yes, cats can eat sweet potatoes and the vine of the plant. Sweet potatoes are an occasional fun treat that can be added to mealtimes or made into delicious treats.
Your cat should only eat sweet potatoes that have been fully cooked. Make sure to keep them away from the garden and the pantry.
Your cat is a beloved pet companion that can eat many of the same foods you can. However, they also have limitations and foods they shouldn’t consume.
Sweet potatoes are fine in small quantities every once in a while, but there are many better snacks for your feline companion.
Are Sweet Potatoes Good for My Cat?
While your cat can eat sweet potatoes, the vegetable doesn’t provide the same benefits to felines as it does to humans. Cats are obligate carnivores who typically get all their food from meat-based proteins. They require a moderate amount of fat as well but very little carbohydrates.
The recent interest in feeding household animals sweet potatoes comes from dog owners. Sweet potatoes are a superfood with essential vitamins and nutrients that benefit a dog’s coat, health, and digestive tract.
However, these benefits don’t transfer over to cats. Felines cannot process and use the same nutrients as dogs can. Avoid using treat recipes made for dogs and instead focus on safe alternatives explicitly made for cats.
Feral felines often consume birds, mice, and other rodents and won’t often stop to eat grass or berries unless they’re feeling sick. Cats get most of their nutrients from their food, whether they eat a homemade diet or enjoy dry kibble.
Sweet potatoes should not be a regular treat or incorporated into daily food. Plant-based nutrients won’t be as nutritional as animal-based proteins, making most vegetables and fruits obsolete and potentially dangerous to cats.
Sweet Potato Nutrition Facts
Sweet potato should not regularly be included in a cat’s diet. This tuberous vegetable is high in fibre, making it a great option when your cat struggles to use the bathroom. Feed your feline companion a spoonful of cooked sweet potato to relieve constipation and gastrointestinal stress.
Like many other treats, sweet potatoes won’t provide significant nutritional value to your cat. You can feed them this vegetable periodically as a treat if they enjoy the flavour but keep track of their consumption.
Food for Cats: Did You Know?
Felines are not actually picky eaters as one might think. Therefore, we have looked at several different foods and tell you if it’s safe for your cat to eat or not. Like this one: Can Cats Eat Coconut oil?
Due to this food’s high amount of carbohydrates, your cat may be at higher risk of weight gain and obesity.
Obese cats can suffer many negative health outcomes and struggle to exercise and groom themselves.
Carefully portion how often your animal eats sweet potatoes to ensure they continue to get their essential nutrients from their food. Uncooked potatoes can contain a toxic compound called solanine, which can cause serious harm to your cat.
What Do I Do If My Cat Eats Too Much Sweet Potato?
Unlike dogs who benefit from sweet potatoes, cats cannot process plant-based enzymes. If your feline companion eats too many sweet potatoes, they may experience gas, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Your cat can quickly become dehydrated if they’re too sick and not ingesting enough water. If these symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, contact your veterinarian and seek professional care.
If your cat overeats sweet potato and doesn’t have any persisting side effects, they’re likely fine and shouldn’t be given more of this vegetable soon.
The biggest risk with frequent sweet potato consumption is obesity, which can be negated by minimizing how often your feline eats this food.
Can Cats Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, you can feed your cat sweet potatoes in moderation. There’s nothing wrong with giving them a small amount around the holidays or when they’re struggling with constipation.
Avoid giving whole servings of this vegetable or making plant-based treats they can enjoy daily. Cats don’t benefit from plant proteins as much as dogs do and will likely experience an upset stomach at the very least.
Consider animal-based treats that better fit a cat’s nutritional needs. Sweet potatoes are non-toxic and edible but provide no substantial value to a feline’s regular diet.
