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I don’t know that I have ever met a dog that didn’t like sweet potatoes. However, I’ve met plenty of humans to turn up their noses at the mention of this root veggie. I am not one of them! Therefore, I totally have to side with the doggos on enjoying the yumminess of sweet potatoes. And, I get to eat this sweet potato jerky for dogs, too!
They have healthy benefits for both humans and dogs. So, I’m excited to tell you about this sweet potato jerky treat for dogs. In addition, this treat has cinnamon and olive oil to make it yummier and more beneficial to eat. Let’s talk about the benefits and warnings of the ingredients before getting into the recipe.
Sweet Potatoes in Sweet Potato Jerky for Dogs
Although, your dog will absolutely love this root veggie, DO NOT let them consume it raw and unripened. If not prepared first, sweet potatoes and regular potatoes can both be toxic.
You can prepare sweet potatoes for your dog in the following ways:
- boiled
- baked
- or dehydrated
Sweet potatoes can be offered to your doggo as a nutritious snack in moderation. Why in moderation? Because both, sweet and regular potatoes are rich in carbohydrates. Therefore, excessive carbohydrate consumption lays a path toward obesity, pancreatitis, and diabetes for dogs. Even more so when it is derived from vegetable matter.
In addition, too much dietary fiber from plants can put your dog at risk of digestive upset. On the other hand, sweet potatoes provide energy and contain vitamins A, B, and C, which are beneficial. The key to remember, treat your fur baby to this yummy snack in moderation.
Cinnamon
Ceylon and Cassia cinnamons are the most popular of the four kinds of cinnamon. Ceylon is more expensive and is known as true cinnamon, because it is sweeter and lighter in color. On the contrary, cassia is cheaper, darker and regularly found in supermarkets. Whichever one you choose, opt for the organic even though it’s a little more expensive. The flavor is so worth it!
Humans benefit from cinnamon because traditionally it has been used around the world to remedy:
- flatulence
- nausea
- diarrhea
- and painful menstrual periods.
It’s also believed to boost:
- energy
- vitality
- circulation
- cognitive function
- overall brain health
- and to improve the digestion of dairy products.
However, studies have proven that dogs can benefit from eating cinnamon. It helps prevent diabetes regulating blood sugar and raising insulin resistance.
In one study, sniffing cinnamon was shown to result in improved brain function. Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory, so this can help senior dogs with arthritis. In addition, cinnamon has also been proven to be antifungal which can help with yeast infections.
Other studies show that cinnamon can lower blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, cinnamon can slow the growth of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.
As said with the sweet potatoes, just don’t overdo giving your dog cinnamon. Small amounts, such as, a half a teaspoon with meals will do a whole lot of good.
Olive Oil
This product in your kitchen makes a healthy addition to your doggo’s food with some amazing benefits. Moreover, it tastes good and will make their food way less boring.
In addition, the monounsaturated fats in olive oil help with weight loss. For instance, it breaks down the fat inside fat cells. As well as, prevents and lessens the effects of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Olive oil is effective for dogs in defending the immune system due to the high levels of antioxidants. These include polyphenols, vitamin E, chlorophyll, and carotenoids.
Furthermore, olive oil is brain food for dogs helping prevent the cognitive decline due to aging. Plus, it improves circulation, breathing and helps increase blood flow. Olive oil is a great conditioner for a dog’s coat from the inside out.
Making Sweet Potato Jerky Treats
Ingredients you will need:
- 2 sweet potatoes
- cinnamon
- olive oil.
Steps to Take:
Firstly, wash the potatoes, cut the ends off, and cut the potatoes in half.
Secondly, lay the cut halves flat and slice the potatoes as thin as you can, length wise. If you have smaller dogs, after cutting lengthwise, you will want to either slice in strips or in half.
Thirdly, put the slices in a gallon size baggie or a bowl and add the olive oil and cinnamon. I prefer the gallon size baggie over the bowl, because I can zip it closed and shake it, making sure the slices get evenly coated.
Next, layer parchment paper (I didn’t have any, so I used wax paper) on top of cookie sheets, then dump out the slices. Now, if you are super OCD, then by all means do this part how it makes you happy. I just dumped them out and separated any way they would lay.
After that, put the slices in the oven to bake. Some people say put the oven on 250 degrees, while others say 300 degrees, but I went with 275 degrees.
Most of the online posts I found about length of time said to bake for three hours. I took mine out after one and a half hours.
The posts I found about sweet potato jerky did not include the two extra ingredients. They were just the potatoes, so maybe the oil had something to do with it. Also, I did slice them very thin, so that could make a difference as well. Keep that in mind and start checking them at one and a half hours. You might need to leave yours longer.
Then, let them cool thoroughly before giving to your fur baby.
Lastly, let your fur baby enjoy the yumminess. You will want to eat one too!
In Conclusion
When you make this sweet potato jerky for dogs, let us know how it turns out. You can tell us about it in the comments below.
Do you have a sweet potato jerky recipe you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below.
You may enjoy these recipes from to Dog Chef section on our blog:
If you would like to save this post with recipe, you can use one of the following images to pin to Pinterest.
Sweet Potato Jerky Treats
Ingredients
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275°.
- Wash the potatoes, cut the ends off, and cut the potatoes in half.
- Lay the cut halves flat and slice the potatoes as thin as you can, length wise.
- Put the slices in a gallon size baggie or a bowl and add the olive oil and cinnamon.
- Layer parchment paper or wax paper on top of cookie sheets and separate the slices on top.
- Bake at 275° for 1½ hours. (Length of time may vary depending on how thin the slices are.)
- Let them cool thoroughly before giving to your fur baby.
- Let your fur baby enjoy the yumminess. You will want to eat one too.
My 3 fur babies (2 of them 11 weeks and 15 y/o) labs absolutely loved them. I added some baked chicken drippings to the recipe. Yes indeed even I like them. =) May I ask what type of texture am I looking for? I was afraid when they feel wet it was either not cooked or it may cause mold during storage. I ended up leaving them in the oven for 3 hours and the ones that were thinner or smaller in piece did taste burnt. Thank you for taking your time to share this awesome recipe.
Hi Tuanh,
I’m so happy that your three fur babies love the treats. I love that you added some baked chicken drippings. I will have to try that, too! 😊 It’s hard to say on the texture. It should be similar to like beef jerky…a little chewy. You’re right about the wetness causing mold during storage. It’s tricky on cook time because it’s hard to slice them all the same. I think an air fryer might work, too! I keep saying I’m going to invest in one, but haven’t, yet. Ha!
Tell your labs that I said, “hi”!
Jeana
How do you store it afterwards?
Hi Dee,
I store them in the refrigerator in a baggie. They should last up to two weeks if they are cooked thoroughly.
Tell your dog, I said, “Hi!”
Jeana
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