Sweet potatoes can be filling treats and healthy snacks for humans and cats alike. Sweet potatoes are present in commercial pet feeds as a way of offering nutrition, as well as meeting the mineral and vitamin requirements for the pets. So, the question is, are sweet potatoes safe for cats?
Once sweet potatoes are cooked, they’re no longer poisonous or toxic to your cats; it means that sweet potatoes are safe for cats, though they don’t necessarily offer any nutritional advantages and could result in long-term health issues for your cats.
Sweet potatoes are common additions to cat foods; studies have shown that high presences of antioxidants and fiber are very beneficial to your cat. Most cat nutritionists claim that there are minute or negative benefits in feeding your cat with sweet potatoes.
Can Sweet Potatoes be eaten by Cats?
Sweet potatoes are slowly gaining popularity in the pet food industry. You may see several cat foods with adverts stating that sweet potatoes are the main ingredients. Sweet potatoes do not pose any harmful effects to your cats.
It’s important to note that cats only need water and meat for survival, given that they’re strict carnivores. This could imply that certain ingredients present in your cat’s food may not even be essential, since your cat may not even be in need of plant-based proteins.
But, if your cat loves eating sweet potatoes, certain nutrients aren’t particularly harmful to her, if they eat them occasionally. Sweet potatoes are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber
Of course, the cat may get these perks from the diets they consume daily, meaning that there isn’t any need to add sweet potatoes for any nutritional benefits.
Are there any Dangerous Parts in Sweet Potatoes that are Harmful to your Cats?
According to the ASPCA, unlike other plants, sweet potatoes’ stems, shoots, and vines are not hazardous to your cats. Mostly, it may result in diarrhea or stomach upsets.
Cooked sweet potatoes can result in digestive complications for your cat, especially if she over consumes it in a single sitting. However, tiny amounts of sweet potatoes can help in relieving constipation and keeping your cat regularly supplied with fiber.
You should never feed your cat on raw sweet potatoes or any other variety of raw potatoes. Uncooked sweet potatoes are hard to digest; this can result in a lot of harmful effects on your cat’s digestive system. In case you catch your cat eating raw sweet potatoes, be sure to look out for any symptoms that show that your cat has a general stomach upset.
Is it Safe to Season Sweet Potatoes for your Cat?
Seasoning sweet potatoes are both dangerous and necessary for your cat. If you intend to feed your cat with sweet potatoes, ensure that you serve them without adding any extras. The following are some of the most common seasoning sweet potatoes ingredients that can be harmful to your cat:
- Onion or garlic; it’s highly hazardous to your cats in all dimensions
- Marshmallows; are very high in sugar content
- Walnuts; can result in gastrointestinal discomfort for your cats
- Table salt; causes dehydration
- Butter; contains high-fat contents
Does Your Cat Like Sweet Potatoes Taste?
Generally, cats tend to be weird creatures, especially about what they’re eating. Cats can be very picky, even about expensive treats; this is also extended to any meals containing sweet potatoes dishes.
Essentially, sweet potatoes are non0food items for cats; this is because they aren’t natural diets for cats. Cats can or should choose if they can or not eat sweet potatoes. Most cats tend to choose not to eat sweet potatoes if possible.
If you find your cat licking baked or eating fried sweet potatoes off your plate, she could be enjoying the taste. It isn’t a big deal, as long as you haven’t added any seasonings to the sweet potatoes.
Sweet Potatoes Use in Traditional Food for Cats
Certain companies include sweet potatoes as ingredients in their processes of cat foods. Some of the formulas include;
- Castor &PolluxOrganix Grain-Free Organic Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Merrick Purrfect Bistro Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Recipe
- Purina Beyond Grain-Free Chicken & Sweet Potato Pate Recipe
- Solid Gold Touch of Heaven Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
- I and Love and You Lovingly Simple Limited Ingredient Diet Salmon & Sweet Potato
As you can notice from the above cat foods, several nutritional options include sweet potatoes in their products. Often, sweet potatoes are used in easing digestion and regulating the cat’s body.
Final Say
If you are in doubt, contact your vet if your cat has eaten sweet potatoes and you aren’t sure about her safety; consult with your vet for guidance and advice. Generally, sweet potatoes aren’t the healthiest choices for your cats; they mainly enjoy benefits from protein-based cat diets. However, this doesn’t mean that a bite here and there is harmful.