The short answer: Yes, but only occasionally.
The long answer: Cats can occasionally enjoy sweet potatoes in either raw or cooked forms. Unlike potatoes that belong to the nightshade family and cannot be eaten raw, sweet potatoes belong to the morning glory family. Additionally, ASPCA notes that sweet potato vine is non-toxic to cats.
Sweet potatoes contain high amounts of fiber, so consuming it will not give your cat the daily nutritional benefits she needs. Feeding her too much carbohydrates may also cause vomiting, upset stomach, or diarrhea. If fed regularly, it may also cause weight gain.
How to feed sweet potatoes to your cat: Though raw sweet potatoes are harmless for cats, it may be better to cook them before feeding them to your cat. You can prepare them in many ways: boiled, steamed, baked, or mashed. When cooking sweet potatoes for your cat, make sure they do not include salt, sugar, garlic, onion, and other seasonings.
Here are three ideas for sweet potato treats your cat will love:
- Make a birthday cake out of sweet potato puree for Kitty’s special day.
- Try this yummy pumpkin and sweet potato balls recipe.
- Whip up homemade cat food using sweet potato, chicken liver, carrot, and spinach.
In summary: Cats are obligate carnivores that need meals packed with animal meat to get through the day. Unseasoned and cooked sweet potatoes may be fed to her at times to provide variety to her meals and treats. The starchy root vegetable may also help alleviate constipation.
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