Cats are great pets! They are loyal, playful, loving, and incredibly clever. You also don’t need to give them as much attention as they can be independent and self-sufficient. However, they could be quite sensitive to their diet.
Thus, we must be mindful about the food we provide our feline friends. Aside from their advised meat-based diet, giving them modest servings of some fruits and veggies won’t hurt. So, are sweet potatoes safe for cats to eat? Should we feed them this veggie?
Can Cats Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, cats can eat sweet potatoes. As an occasional treat, sweet potatoes are safe for your cat to consume. There is nothing in plain boiled sweet potatoes that might harm your cat. This vegetable has some nutritional content that could be advantageous for your cat’s health.
Your cat will benefit greatly from eating sweet potatoes since they are a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals, and water. Additionally, it contains antioxidants that optimize their health and reduce the chance of developing major illnesses like cancer.
However, giving your cat too many sweet potatoes can result in digestive problems. In addition, even though cats cannot taste sweetness, the sugar content of this vegetable could be bad for their health. If not regulated, some of its nutritional contents may also backfire.
How To Give Sweet Potatoes To Your Cat?
According to the ASPCA, sweet potatoes’ roots, vines, shoots, and stems are not poisonous to cats.
But, make sure only to give cooked sweet potatoes to your cat. Unlike regular potatoes, even uncooked sweet potatoes are not toxic to cats. However, raw sweet potatoes are more likely to cause digestive problems.
Furthermore, avoid offering your cat fried sweet potatoes as this could be high in cholesterol and fats. It is better to give your cat unseasoned, boiled sweet potatoes instead of processed sweet potatoes that may contain additives or other unwanted ingredients.
Sweet potatoes, like other vegetables, should only make up a small fraction of your cat’s diet. Giving your feline pal too many sweet potatoes at once will cause them diarrhea and other health issues.
Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for Your Cat’s Health
Sweet potatoes have lots of nutritional content. As such, your cat will gain the following health benefits from eating this veggie.
Water
Sweet potatoes are excellent for keeping your cat hydrated as they are composed of 77% water.
Cats need water to maintain proper organ functioning and control body temperature. It also helps their kidneys flush toxins and hydrates their skin and fur.
Most importantly, it guards against dehydration by maintaining the proper balance of minerals and fluids in your cat’s body. This reduces the risk of experiencing problems, including exhaustion, muscle cramps, and heatstroke.
Fiber
Even though meat is their primary source of fiber as carnivores, cats might benefit from additional fibers in sweet potatoes.
Fiber aids in your cat’s digestion by ensuring a good balance of good bacteria in their tummy. This reduces the likelihood of digestive problems and encourages regular bowel movements. Additionally, fiber-rich foods help prevent obesity in cats.
Potassium
Sweet potatoes contain considerable amounts of potassium. Cats need to consume 330 mg of potassium daily to prevent potassium deficiency.
This vital electrolyte maintains your cat’s bones, muscles, and cardiovascular health. This also affects several bodily functions, including their cellular and nervous system activities.
Providing adequate potassium to your pet’s diet helps prevent hypokalemia, a disease that results in exhaustion, weight loss, and muscular weakness in cats. Additionally, this can make it difficult for your pet to sustain its natural position, known as ventroflexion.
Manganese
Sweet potatoes also contain manganese. To support various enzyme activities crucial for nutrition digestion, cats require small doses of manganese in their diet. It also enhances their reproductive function and supports their nervous system.
Protein
Surprisingly, sweet potatoes contain small amounts of protein, one of the most important nutrients your pet needs as an obligate carnivore.
This mineral is composed of amino acids necessary for many bodily processes and is the foundation of muscles. Protein also promotes fur growth and nervous system functions. Your cat also uses this as a source of energy to fuel their activities.
Vitamins
Due to the abundance of various vitamins, sweet potatoes are dubbed the superfood. Not all of these, though, are advantageous for your cat.
Vitamin A is one of the vitamins in this vegetable that your cat may benefit from. This keeps their skin, muscles, and nerves operating normally. This vitamin also greatly helps their eyesight.
This vegetable also contains vitamin K. This essential nutrient aids blood coagulation and speeds up wound healing in your cat.
Vitamin E is also included in sweet potatoes. Aside from being an antioxidant, this nutrient helps create red blood cells and maintains a strong immune system. This also supports skin health and is used in managing various skin illnesses.
Antioxidants
Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants. These help your cat combat free radicals and oxidative stress that damages their cells and immune system.
In addition, this vegetable includes the antioxidant anthocyanin. Apart from its typical benefits, research has shown its capability to prevent the growth of cancer cells.
Potential Health Risks of Overfeeding Your Cat Sweet Potatoes
Although sweet potatoes are healthy for your cat in moderation, overfeeding them with this vegetable will cause health troubles.
Sugar
Sweet potatoes contain sugar. Cats may lack the receptors to taste sweetness, but sugar could still impact their health.
Giving them too many sugar-filled treats might result in diarrhea and stomach discomfort. Additionally, it could affect your cat’s appetite and cause problems with their teeth.
Your pet uses sugar, a carbohydrate, as a source of energy. So, giving them an excessive amount of sugar may result in hyperactivity. They may also be unable to metabolize vast amounts of sugar in their diet, which might lead to diabetes.
Obesity
Even though sweet potatoes are low in carbs, giving your cat too much of this can make them gain weight. Cat obesity has been a growing problem for owners. This raises the possibility of liver disorders, decreased mobility, and kidney issues. Additionally, this puts a strain on their bones and cardiovascular system.
Excess Vitamin C
Vitamin C may be beneficial for cats, but they don’t need to get this nutrient from their diet as they naturally produce it.
Excess Vitamin C may be problematic for your pet. This is flushed from their system and not metabolized. Hence, it is likely that your cat will develop urinary tract stones. This will cause kidney issues that need urgent medical intervention.
Hyperkalemia
Potassium is an essential nutrient for cats. However, ingesting too much of this will cause hyperkalemia.
This surge in potassium causes muscular degeneration and exhaustion. Additionally, it affects your pet’s cardiovascular health and raises blood acidity.
If your pet develops this condition, they will need extensive medical care. As such, make sure to regulate your cat’s consumption of sweet potatoes to avoid this issue.
Digestive Issues
Cats shouldn’t consume huge amounts of veggies. They are carnivores; thus, their digestive systems are not suited to metabolize vegetable-based meals.
If not regulated, sweet potatoes may cause stomach problems. This vegetable’s high water and fiber content might result in dehydration due to more frequent bowel movements. It might also lead to an imbalance of enzymes in their digestive system.
Though, giving small portions of sweet potatoes to your cat as a treat once in a while is unlikely to have any adverse effects.
What Should You Do If Your Cat Eats Sweet Potatoes?
Your cat is unlikely to have problems if they accidentally ate some sweet potatoes. Feeding your cat this vegetable in moderation is safe and improbable to cause issues. However, keep an eye out for potential adverse reactions and bring your pet to the veterinarian if they display such symptoms.
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach Aches
- Soft and Watery Stools
- Stones in their Urine
- Reduced Appetite or Energy
Which Vegetables Could You Give To Your Cat?
As an obligate carnivore, your cat doesn’t need to have vegetables on a daily basis. Unlike humans, they can naturally produce most of the nutrients they need. However, if they like to, they may still enjoy veggies as an occasional treat and gain additional health benefits. Some of the vegetables safe for cat consumption are:
Pumpkin
Pumpkins are a healthy treat to feed to your feline friend. Your pet may eat plain, cooked pumpkins and benefit from this vegetable’s vitamin A and K content.
Additionally, it contains fiber and water, which are beneficial for facilitating your cat’s digestion. Various minerals, such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, are also abundant in this vegetable which may be advantageous for your cat.
Broccoli
Another harmless vegetable treat for your pet is broccoli. The high nutritional value of this vegetable may aid your cat’s digestion and normalize their bowel movement. Additionally, its antioxidants safeguard your cat from the damage that free radicals may induce.
You can safely feed your cat raw or cooked broccoli. But, it is advisable to give them plain cooked ones to avoid stomach problems. Additionally, this vegetable is an occasional treat and should only comprise a tiny portion of their diet.
Carrots
Carrots are also a safe option for cats. Modest amounts of unseasoned cooked carrots are harmless to your pet and may benefit their health.
Vitamins A, K, and E are present in this vegetable. Additionally, it includes various nutrients, including dietary fiber, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium. This vegetable also contains antioxidants, which improve your cat’s health and prevent illnesses brought by oxidative stress and free radicals.
Lettuce
You might also want to consider giving your cat some lettuce. This vegetable is not toxic to cats, and several varieties contain nutrients beneficial for your cat’s health. It has low-calorie content and is excellent for hydration. Additionally, it is rich in fiber and vitamins A and K, which makes this vegetable beneficial for your cat’s health.
Green Beans
Another vegetable rated non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA is green beans.
This vegetable is rich in protein and fiber, nutrients that are crucial for your cat’s diet. This also aids with digestion and includes other healthy nutrients for your cat. Green beans are also beneficial for obese cats who need to lose some weight.
Like other vegetables, ensure that the green beans you feed your cat are properly washed and cooked. Just make sure to regulate how much green beans are included in your cat’s diet to avoid issues.
Conclusion: Can Cats Eat Sweet Potatoes?
You may occasionally feed your cat sweet potatoes. No components in this vegetable could be harmful to your cat. It also has several health advantages your cat could benefit from, including vitamins, minerals, and cancer-preventing antioxidants.
However, cats are not supposed to have a vegetable-focused diet. Giving them too much of this vegetable may result in health problems. This might make your cat overweight and may induce digestive issues. Furthermore, its nutritional components could also be problematic if not regulated.
Therefore, be careful not to overfeed your pet with sweet potatoes. This is a treat meant to be enjoyed every so often. Moreover, it is better to cook this vegetable before feeding it to your cat to prevent digestive issues.
Doing this can ensure your cat’s safety and protects them from potential health problems. If you’re unsure about giving sweet potatoes to your cats, make sure to consult with your vet!