Yam

Cats do not need vegetables, so a little cooked yam is at most a novel treat with some fibre.

One small piece per serving without reducing main-diet intake.

Peel and steam or boil until soft, then dice or mash with no seasoning, sugar or honey.

Raw yam irritates a cat's mouth, so always cook it first and contact a vet if the cat drools or paws at its mouth after tasting it; a complete cat food already covers every nutritional need.

Cooked yam provides fibre and a little potassium, has a soft texture and very little fat, so it works as an occasional vegetable treat.

1-2 small pieces per serving (half a piece for a small dog), within roughly 10% of daily energy intake.

Peel with gloves, steam or boil until soft, then cut into small pieces or mash; add no sugar, honey, oil or condensed milk.

Raw yam holds needle-like calcium oxalate crystals that itch the hands when peeled and irritate the mouth if eaten, so always cook it and contact a vet if a pet drools or paws at its mouth; honey-glazed yam is far too sugary.