As a pet owner, you’re always looking for ways to make your dog’s diet interesting. And now, you’re trying to do so with potatoes.
Wondering how safe this vegetable is for your dog? Go through this article and find out if your little pet can have this vegetable.
Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?
What Happens If A Dog Eats Potatoes?
Are Potatoes Good For Dogs?
Potato Poisoning in Dogs
How Many Potatoes Should I Feed My Dog?
Frequently Asked Questions
> My Dog Ate A Raw Potato. What Should I Do?
> Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?
> Can Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes?
> Can Dogs Eat Potato Skins?
> Are Potato Chips Safe For Dogs?
Potatoes are one of the most common vegetables available in the market that can be fashioned into different foods. They serve as core ingredients for hundreds of foods like french fries, tater tots, wedges, hash browns, etc. If you’re wondering if your dog can have a few potatoes and if it’s healthy for your dog? Continue reading to find out.
Dogs can’t eat raw potatoes and deep-fried potatoes with added seasoning. However, cooked potatoes are safe for dogs but they should only be fed in moderation. If you want to feed your dog potatoes, ensure that they’re boiled or baked, without seasoning.
Feeding your dog baked or boiled potatoes in moderation is fine. However, raw potatoes should be avoided at all costs. Raw potatoes contain a compound called solanine which is harmful to dogs. The amount of solanine present in potatoes isn’t enough to harm humans, but it is dangerous for dogs, depending on how much they’ve consumed.
That’s why you should feed your dog only cooked potatoes. Cooking potatoes significantly reduces the amount of solanine present in them, making them less toxic for dogs.
Potatoes should only be fed in moderation. They are a great source of Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, magnesium, and iron. These nutrients are required by both humans and dogs. Therefore, giving your dog a piece of cooked potato is alright. However, you shouldn’t make potatoes a staple component of its diet.
If you’re also wondering, ‘is mashed potato okay for dogs?’ The answer is no. Potatoes may be a healthy treat for your dog, but you must never feed them raw potatoes or potato-based snacks like chips or mashed potatoes. They also contain large amounts of carbohydrates which can lead to diabetes or obesity.
As mentioned earlier, raw potatoes contain high levels of solanine, a compound that organically prevents small insects from eating the vegetable from the inside and this compound is toxic for dogs, especially if they consume them in large quantities.
Potato poisoning or solanine poisoning is known to cause gastrointestinal issues, heart problems, and difficulty in breathing. Moreover, raw potatoes and their skins contain a chemical called chaconine which can impair the function of the kidneys, cause problems in the nervous system, and create irritation in the digestive system. That is why you should never let your dog eat raw potatoes or any part of the potato plant.
It’s okay to feed your dog potatoes, but you must be wary of the quantities you feed them. So, if you were wondering ‘can I feed my dog potatoes every day?’. The answer is no. Potatoes should only be fed as a treat. You should not be feeding your pet the vegetable every day. Nevertheless, you should ideally follow the 10% rule.
This rule states that only 10% of your dog’s total caloric intake in a day can come from treats. For example, if your dog consumes 1000 calories a day, then 10% of that would be 100 calories and one cooked potato without the skin has 130 calories. Therefore, you should only feed your dog one potato as a treat. However, it’s advisable to consult your vet before including potatoes in your pet’s diet.
Here is a list of the most commonly asked questions around can my dog eat potatoes and how healthy they are for dogs.
As we’ve mentioned before, eating raw potatoes is extremely unhealthy and dangerous for dogs. But, if your dog happens to munch on a raw potato, then here are some symptoms to look out for.
If your dog is suffering from any of these symptoms, then contact your vet immediately. Don’t try diagnosing and treating the problem on your own because you could end up aggravating the issue. Let your vet know about the symptoms and let them take the necessary steps to treat your dog.
Yes, dogs can eat sweet potatoes. This vegetable is often found on lists of healthy foods for dogs. Moreover, the health benefits of sweet potatoes are the same for humans and dogs. Sweet potatoes are an amazing source of fiber and help the digestive system function smoothly, and they also reduce the chance of heart diseases and some forms of cancer.
However, always serve your dog cooked sweet potatoes without any seasoning. Raw sweet potatoes can cause digestive problems and intestinal blockages if eaten raw.
You should never allow your dog to eat raw potatoes or any part of the plant. Raw potatoes contain high levels of solanine which is toxic for dogs and other animals. However, the solanine levels reduce drastically after cooking. That’s why you should always feed your dog only cooked potatoes.
Cooked potato skins can be extremely crunchy and delicious. But you should only feed this occasionally. Potato skins are rich in oxalates which are healthy in moderation. Therefore, if you’re wondering ‘can dogs eat cooked potato skins?’, then yes, they can. However, consuming too many potato skins can cause kidney problems.
Dogs can eat potato chips in moderation. However, potato chips and other such fried snacks offer no nutritional value and are only packed with loads of processed ingredients that are unhealthy for dogs. If you’re wondering ‘can dogs eat potato chips?’, then yes, they can, but ideally, you should stay clear of the snack.
The answer to the question ‘can my dog eat potatoes’ is slightly tricky. Raw potatoes are extremely toxic to dogs but cooked potatoes aren’t. However, potato-based snacks should be avoided. If you want to feed your dog some potatoes, then you should bake or boil them!
Check out this article to see if dogs can eat onions.
A digital marketing expert by profession, Andrews is a gifted writer and animal lover at heart. A self-confessed "pawrent", Andrews is well-versed in all things dogs. He uses his years of experience of raising puppies into show-quality dogs to help guide first-time pet parents. He believes in spreading the joy that comes with being a dog dad and advocates more families to adopt pets.
