Can Dogs Eat Ube (Purple Yam)? Are They Toxic to Dogs?

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To provide the best nutrition to our dogs, sometimes we may have to supplement its diet beyond traditional dog food. This can be especially challenging for people who own a picky eater. Can dogs eat ube as a tasty snack? Let’s find out.

For this reason, some owners may go out looking for other things to add to their dog’s diet. Have you ever heard of ube? Ube is a tuberous root vegetable – purple yam. It is sweet and originates in the Philippines.

Dioscorea alata is the scientific name for the tuber. Some also call it water yam or violet yam. It can be found in Asian markets and can sometimes come pre-made as a frozen treat.

Many owners have asked, “Can dogs eat ube?”. Let’s learn more about the benefits and potential risks of feeding ube to dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Ube (Purple Yams)?

The short answer is yes! Dogs can eat ube. Ube has several benefits:

• Providing fiber for more regular bowel movements
• Helping with canine obesity by suppressing appetite and increasing metabolism
• Protecting against cancer through antioxidant activity
• Reducing inflammation throughout the body

As dogs can eat ube, it is in some commercial dog foods. However, dogs may develop an intolerance to the regular diet and gain excess weight over time.

If you are interested in adding ube to your dog’s diet, then it is best added when transitioning from the old food to the new food, so as not to cause stomach upset.

Benefits of Ube For Dogs

Is purple yam good for dogs? Absolutely, in moderation! Ube can be a great source of fiber. Fiber can aid in digestion and can even reduce your dog’s chances of contracting colon cancer by helping them to maintain regular bowel movements.

Ube can provide an extra energy boost to help dogs stay fit. So if the dog is dealing with obesity, ube is an excellent way to get it up and exercise.

Ube can also be great for dogs with arthritis because it contains high amounts of antioxidant activity, which help reduce inflammation in the body.

Nutritional Content Of Ubes

The exact nutrition content varies depending on the type of ube that one eats, but it can contain vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting. Potassium aids with muscle function and nerve transmission. Magnesium helps regulate heart rhythm and muscles contraction.

Manganese is essential for bone formation and function. Thiamin is good for cancer prevention, while erythritol assists in the synthesis of collagen. Ube can also contain tryptophan which can help calm stress-related behavior.

Ube can be used as an alternative to carrots in homemade dog treats because it has a similar consistency but can provide more nutritional benefits like natural sweetness and fiber content. It can also act as a thickener for wet food dishes or be added to dry kibble or treats for an extra boost of flavor or nutrients.

What to Look for When Purchasing Ube?

An ube looks like a yam, but it is purple. The flesh of the ube will also be a deep purple color. For the finest Ube, go for ones solid all around and have no squishy areas. The skin shouldn’t be TOO wrinkled. 

Ube comes both raw and cooked. If you want to purchase it cooked, make sure that you check the labeling to ensure no additional ingredients like sugar or salt have been added.

Ube can sometimes be found pre-made as a frozen treat like ice cream. Frozen treats should not be given to pets often. Dogs generally cannot digest ice well and it can cause them to become sick.

If you are looking to purchase ube in the freezer section, be sure that it does not contain any added sugar or artificial ingredients.

How Should Dogs Eat Ubes?

When you give your dog this purple yam, make sure to prepare it properly. You should peel the skin and cut it into small pieces. Cook the ube by steaming or boiling it and ensure that the yam pieces are small enough for your dog to eat.

Ube also comes in other forms like powder and drinks so look out for these when shopping for treats or supplements. The owner should be mindful that while ube can provide many benefits, it is very high in calories. Always monitor your dog’s intake.

As mentioned earlier, ube is a source of fiber. Because of this, it can often have a laxative effect on dogs over time. To avoid this, watch the amount you feed it – avoid feeding them too much at once or too close together.

Is Purple Yam Safe for Dogs?

Yams are a whole food with food health benefits. In moderation, purple yam is safe for dogs as long as you properly prepare it and give only a small portion to the dog.

However, this does not mean specific pups won’t experience allergies. If you notice your dog is experiencing any side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, reluctance to eat, or other unusual symptoms, it would be best to take them to the vet or animal hospital immediately.

Conclusion – Can Dogs Eat Ubes?

While ube is not toxic to dogs, it should still be given in moderation since it contains naturally occurring sugars. Since dogs have a natural sweet tooth, ube can be a nice treat for your dog.

Don’t give it to dogs raw or keep it in their reach because the raw form contains small amounts of cyanide. This cooks out, though.

An owner should note that while ube may be tasty not all dogs will enjoy its taste or texture. While some dogs can eat ubes, others can experience an upset stomach.

In conclusion, Ube can be a delicious, healthy snack for your dog. Prepare it correctly before giving it to your pet so they are safe from its potential side effects. Even healthy items need moderation.