Dog owners often try to help their pets get nutritious food by feeding them common human foods. Most of the time, we stick with fruits and veggies because they are full of vitamins and minerals. But there are also times when our search for dog-friendly foods leads us to something new, like ube.
Some dog owners are tempted to feed their dogs ube because of its sweet taste, but can dogs eat ube?
Let’s find out!
Can dogs eat ube? Is ube safe for dogs to eat?
Yes! Ube is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. Although, it is important to take note that it should be prepared properly before giving them some ube. Also, ube should not be a part of their daily meals. Instead, give it to your furry friends as an occasional treat.
What is ube?
Ube or purple yam (Dioscorea alata) belongs to the family of yams. It comes in elongated tuber roots, with the skin usually brown or purple and the pulp in deep purple color. Because of its appearance, it is often mistaken for taro. Although both ube and taro can be used in sweet dishes and desserts, ube has a sweeter flavor profile than taro.
In Filipino cuisine, ube can be used in various sweets and desserts like jams, cakes and pastries, candies, smoothies, and ice creams. It is also widely processed as a flavoring and comes in both powdered and liquid forms.
Ube can also be consumed as is. Just boil and cook it properly and enjoy its sweet flavor and nutritional benefits!
Health Benefits of Ube
Carbohydrates as a source of energy
Ube is a starchy root tuber that contains high amounts of carbohydrates. According to the USDA Food Data Central, a cup of cooked ube contains 27 grams of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are essential nutrients that serve as the main energy fuels of the body that supports overall body functions.
One particular type of carbohydrate that makes ube beneficial is resistant starch. Resistant starch refers to a complex carbohydrate that is resistant to digestion. Instead of being digested by the small intestine, it serves as food for the beneficial gut bacteria living in the large intestine.
Resistant starch promotes healthy digestion by boosting gut health and keeping the colon healthy. It can also prevent the onset of diabetes since it helps the body to be sensitive to insulin.
Antioxidants to prevent diseases
Ube is rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C and anthocyanins. These antioxidants prevent cell damage and detoxify the body from free radicals.
Although dogs can produce their own supply of vitamin C, an occasional boost won’t cause too much harm. Supplementing vitamin C for your dogs can also help boost their immune system to prevent chronic illnesses.
On the other hand, Anthocyanins are responsible for the purple color of ube. This pigment is found in different fruits and vegetables that are red, blue, or purple in color. Anthocyanins belong to a group of antioxidants called polyphenols, which has a lot of health benefits.
Polyphenols are linked to curing health conditions such as chronic inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, heart diseases, and even cancer. Apart from ube, fruits like berries are also rich in polyphenols, and consuming these antioxidant-rich foods can prevent severe diseases for your pups in the long run.
Flavonoids to manage blood sugar
Flavonoids are also antioxidants, which means these compounds also apply to what we’ve discussed above. But apart from its anti-inflammatory properties, flavonoids can also manage blood sugar levels, thanks to ube’s low glycemic index.
Glycemic index (GI) is a number assigned to different foods that correspond to how quickly they increase blood sugar upon consumption. The GI scale ranges from 0 to 100, and ube has a glycemic index value of 24, which belongs to the lower half of the scale.
Are there any risks of eating ube for dogs?
While the purple flesh of ube is safe for dogs to eat, the skin should be removed before feeding it to your dog. Aside from possible pesticide chemical residues, the skin might be too bitter for your dogs to like.
Additionally, some yam varieties contain oxalates and solanine, which can cause vomiting, tremors, and seizure, among other symptoms. Proper cooking of yams inactivates these compounds, making them safer to consume.
Raw or undercooked ube can also cause choking or intestinal blockage. It is important to cook ube properly before giving it to your pooch to save you the hassle of going to the vet.
Overfeeding your dog ube can also lead to some digestive issues like diarrhea or vomiting. As discussed above, ube is high in carbohydrates. Too much intake of carbohydrates can lead to weight-related problems and may cause other health problems in the long run.
Remember, moderation is key, so ube should not be a part of their regular meals.
How To Prepare Ube For Dogs
The best and safest option to prepare ube is by boiling or steaming them properly until they are soft. But before that, remember to wash and peel the ube completely.
You can mash the cooked ube, like mashed potato, or slice them into smaller bite-sized pieces. You can either feed them small portions of ube or mix them with their usual food.
Commercially available ube, like the ube halaya (ube jam) in jars, contain added sugar and preservatives. So you might want to stick with a home-cooked ube treat, rather than buying canned ube from the grocery.
As a general rule, always feed your dogs small portions when introducing a new food. You can always consult with your trusted veterinarian for safety precautions.
Conclusion
Just remember that ube should only be given to dogs in moderation. Letting them eat too much ube can cause stomach issues such as diarrhea. It is also important to cook the ube properly before feeding it to your pups!
If you found yourself asking the question, “can dogs eat ube?” we hope this article helped you a lot.
It’s important to note that just because something is safe for humans doesn’t mean it’s safe for pets. Dogs have different nutritional needs than humans, and some foods that are perfectly fine for us aren’t good for our furry friends.
If you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s diet, make sure to talk to your trusted vets!