Dehydrated Sweet Potato Dog Treat Recipe
I love me some sweet potatoes! And you know who else loves sweet potatoes – your dog! Not only that, but they also love jerky. This Dehydrated Sweet Potato Dog Treat Recipe combines both tasty treats into one barking-good snack. You’ll need a dehydrator for this one, but they are quite inexpensive (I bought mine for $40). I find that it’s a good investment, and it’ll pay for itself once you stop buying the jerky and make it yourself.
Dehydrated Sweet Potato Dog Treat Recipe
Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes
Meat-flavored dog-safe seasoning (Optional)
Directions:
- Wash and peel sweet potatoes. Slice the sweet potato into ¼-inch slices.
- Sprinkle with dog-safe seasoning (optional). I used Crump Natural Liver Sprinkles
- Using a dehydrator, use the high setting and place slices on trays.
- For chewy treats, leave in dehydrator for 6 to 8 hours. For a crunchier treat, leave in for 10 to 12 hours.
- Store in air-tight container or Ziploc bag to preserve freshness.
Benefits of Sweet Potato for Your Pup
Not only is this single ingredient treat a great choice for dogs that are faced with food allergies, but this easy-to-make treat is packed with nutritional value. They are an incredible source of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B5, and C, beta-carotene, dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, copper, and iron.
Vitamin A plays an important role in your dog’s health and well-being. It helps to improve the health of your dog’s skin and coat, resulting in a smooth, shiny appearance. Vitamin A also supports the optimal function of your dog’s muscles and nerves, necessary for daily movement. Finally, this vitamin can help maintain healthy eyesight by protecting the retina.
Beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A, has been found to lower the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer. It, along with vitamin C, will boost your dog’s immune system helping to prevent and fight off illnesses. Select sweet potatoes that are more orange in color for higher levels of beta-carotene.
The high potassium levels will help to regulate blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease.
If you have a dog that has been experiencing digestive problems, the dietary fiber will help to regulate the digestive system. It slows the speed that food passes through your dog’s system, allowing it to absorb more of the nutrients present in his meals. It also improves the health of the colon, bulks up stool (relieving diarrhea), and regulates the bowels.
Sweet potatoes are low-fat treats that can be enjoyed in moderation. Just be careful not to give in to those puppy eyes too often as they are high in carbohydrates, which can cause weight gain.
Amy Tokic, Editor of PetGuide.com, is a passionate animal lover and proud pet parent of Oscar, a Shih Tzu/Chihuahua cross, and Zed, a Japanese Chin. Her love of animals began in kindergarten, when she brought her stuffed dog Snoopy into class with her every day. Now, she writes about her adventures in pet ownership and tirelessly researches products, news and health related issues she can share with other animal enthusiasts. In her free time, Amy loves perusing used book and record stores, obsessing over the latest pet products available and chasing squirrels with wild abandon (a habit attributed to spending too much time with her pooches).
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