Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?

Potatoes are a beloved comfort food. They’re consumed in many ways, including mashed, roasted, fried, and even baked. But the question that every pet owner wants answers to is whether or not potatoes are safe for dogs.

The answer is not as simple and straightforward as a "yes" or "no," which can be a little confusing. But don’t worry, in this article, we’ll try our best to cover all aspects and talk about the dos and don'ts of feeding potatoes to your furry friend. So, let's dive in…

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?

It depends on how you have prepared the potatoes - dogs can eat cooked, unseasoned potatoes in small amounts. But if the potatoes are prepared with other ingredients and toppings like salt and butter, they won’t be so healthy for your little pup.

Also, you shouldn’t feed raw potatoes to your dog as they contain solanine which is a natural toxin (we’ll talk more about this later in the article). It’s recommended to cook the potatoes as that will reduce the amount of solanine and makes the vegetable safe for consumption.

Additionally, if your dog has any health problems like diabetes or obesity, you should refrain from adding potatoes to their diet and talk to your veterinarian about other healthy food options.

Are There Any Health Benefits of Feeding Potatoes to a Dog?

Potatoes have an impressive nutrient profile which makes them a staple in many dishes around the world. Some of the key nutrients that can be found in potatoes include:

1. Carbohydrates

Potatoes are a rich source of carbohydrates, which can be a great source of energy for active outdoor dogs that love running and other physical exercises. This nutrient also helps support digestive health and brain function in dogs.

2. Fiber

Potatoes contain dietary fiber that can help support your dog’s digestive health. It can help keep the food moving through the digestive tract and absorbs excess water in the stomach, which prevents irregular bowel movements, constipation, and diarrhea. Fiber can also help promote the growth of good bacteria and prevent the overgrowth of bad bacteria in your dog’s gut.

3. Vitamins

Potatoes contain a variety of vitamins, including immune-boosting vitamin C, which is also a powerful antioxidant, and vitamin B3, which is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. They also contain small amounts of vitamin B6, which is required for healthy brain function and the synthesis of DNA.

4. Minerals

Potatoes also contain several minerals, including calcium, which helps in building strong bones and teeth, iron which is required for the formation of red blood cells, and magnesium which supports proper muscle movement. They’re especially rich in potassium which helps maintain proper nerve function and heart health.

5. Antioxidants

Potatoes contain carotenoids and polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants. They help protect a dog’s body against the harmful effects of free radicals that can lead to oxidative stress and cause damage to cells, proteins, and DNA. These antioxidants can also help prevent various inflammatory diseases like pancreatitis and IBD.

How to Feed Potatoes to a Dog?

Potatoes are an incredibly versatile vegetable, and you can cook them in so many different ways, but not every way is safe for dogs. Below we have briefly discussed the best ways to feed potatoes to a dog:

Raw Potatoes

You should never feed raw potatoes to your dog because they contain solanine. It’s a natural toxin that the potato plant uses as a defense mechanism against pests and predators. This toxic chemical is found in varying amounts in different parts of the potato plant, including the leaves, stems, and skin.

You should also know that a damaged potato plant produces more solanine, which often results in green patches or sprouts in a potato. This makes them more harmful than regular raw potatoes.

Now in small amounts, solanine won’t cause any adverse reaction in your dog. So if you have a healthy dog who has accidentally eaten some raw potato, there’s nothing to panic about. You just need to monitor their condition and look out for signs of digestive distress, like vomiting or diarrhea. You should contact your veterinarian for advice only if you notice anything unusual.

But to avoid any risks and unforeseen consequences, keep your dog away from raw potatoes and especially avoid potatoes that are visibly green or sprouted.

Mashed

Cooking potato breaks down solanine and makes it less harmful to dogs. Thus it’s always recommended to feed your dog cooked potatoes, and mashed ones are the best option. All you have to do is boil and mash a small potato without adding any other ingredients like milk or butter. You should also refrain from adding any seasoning, like salt, pepper, garlic, and onion.

Your dog doesn’t need these seasonings to add flavor to their food. Also, these additional ingredients and seasonings can be harmful to their health as they can lead to many digestive problems, vomiting, diarrhea, and other health complications.

Fried

Fried potato dishes like french fries, potato wedges, and hash browns are popular human foods. But it’s not recommended to share these treats with your dog as they’re cooked in a lot of oil and may contain seasonings, which can be harmful to dogs if consumed in excess.

Moreover, fried foods can lead to gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea in some dogs. In the long run, these kinds of foods can also cause weight gain, pancreatitis, and other major health problems.

Roasted

Roasted potatoes made for humans aren’t considered healthy for dogs as they contain excessive oil or butter. But you can make dry roasted or air-fried potatoes for your dog without any oils. You just need to be careful about not adding any seasoning like salt and pepper and feed only a small amount of these roasted potatoes as an occasional treat.

Baked

Dogs can eat plain baked potatoes in moderation. But you have to make sure these potatoes don’t contain any toppings like butter, sour cream, cheese, or other seasonings, as that can be harmful to a dog’s health.

Packaged Potato Products

Packaged potato products like chips are also not considered healthy for dogs. They contain a lot of preservations, fats, and seasonings that can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive system. Some of these treats also contain onion and garlic, which can be toxic for dogs.

Potato Salad

Potato salad contains boiled potatoes, so are they safe for dogs? The answer depends on your salad recipe. A typical potato salad might contain ingredients like onion, garlic, or mayonnaise, which aren’t considered safe for a dog. But if you have prepared a potato salad with dog-safe ingredients, you can share a spoon full with them.

Are There Any Risks of Feeding Potatoes to a Dog?

In small amounts, cooked potatoes are safe for dogs. But before going ahead, let's discuss a few caveats about adding this vegetable to your dog’s diet:

Overeating

The biggest danger with potatoes is overeating. This vegetable contains high amounts of carbohydrates and starch, which can lead to weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and digestive problems. They can also cause nutritional imbalance or malnutrition in dogs.

Therefore, you should consider potatoes an occasional treat only. Also, if you’re trying to figure out the appropriate serving size of potatoes for your dog, try to follow the 90/10 rule that states 90% of your dog’s daily calories should come from a healthy and well-balanced diet while the remaining 10% of their daily calories can come from treats like potatoes.

Furthermore, you can also talk to your veterinarian to determine the exact amount of potatoes to add to your dog's diet.

Potato Peels

Dogs can eat potato peels, but it’s generally not recommended as they can cause some digestive distress. Also, potato peel contains oxalates, which are fine in small amounts, but when eaten in large amounts, it can lead to kidney problems in dogs.

To avoid anything unforeseen, we’ll recommend you remove the peel of the potatoes before feeding the vegetable to your little pup.

Poisoning

While it’s not that common, your dog can still get poisoning from raw potatoes as it contains solanine. If, in case, they have accidentally eaten a large number of raw potatoes, they might show symptoms like:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal pain
Lethargy or weakness
Seizures

If your dog shows any of these symptoms of solanine poisoning after eating potatoes, take them to a veterinarian immediately.

Allergic Reaction

Although it’s rare, dogs can have an allergic reaction to potatoes. Thus it’s best to gradually introduce them to new foods and keep a close eye for any signs of an allergic reaction, including:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Excessive itching
Hives
Swelling on the face, eyes, and ears
Biting of paws
Ear infections
Excessive licking

If you notice any of these signs of potato poisoning, consult with a veterinarian immediately.

Summing Up

Dogs can eat potatoes if they’re cooked without any seasoning or additional ingredients. They contain high amounts of dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can perfectly supplement your dog's diet.

You just need to be cautious about portion sizes, as potatoes contain high amounts of carbohydrates and starch. Consider them as an occasional treat, and make sure it doesn’t exceed 10% of your dog's daily caloric intake.

If you have any further doubts or questions, feel free to consult with a veterinarian before adding potatoes to your dog’s diet.

FAQs

Let’s answer some frequently asked questions about feeding potatoes to a dog:

1. Can dogs eat potatoes?

Yes, dogs can eat plain cooked potatoes but in moderation. This vegetable contains many nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and antioxidants. The only thing you need to be careful about is that the potatoes are cooked completely, as raw potatoes contain solanine, a natural toxin. Also, avoid adding any seasonings or topping to the potatoes before feeding them to your dog.

2. How much potato can I feed my dog?

A potato should be an occasional treat in your dog’s diet. Ideally, the appropriate serving size will depend on your dog’s size and health condition, but you can also follow the 90/10 rule that states 90% of your dog’s daily calories should come from a healthy and well-balanced diet while the remaining 10% of their daily calories can come from treats like potatoes.

Do make sure your dog isn’t overindulging, as potatoes contain high amounts of carbohydrates and starch, which can lead to weight gain, blood sugar spikes, and digestive problems. They can also cause nutritional imbalance or malnutrition in dogs.

3. Can dogs eat potato chips?

Potato chips aren’t considered healthy for a dog as they contain a lot of preservations, fats, and seasonings which can lead to many health issues, including obesity, blood pressure, and even pancreatitis in dogs.

If your dog accidentally eats one or two potato chips, there won’t be any immediate harm. But in the long run, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog potato chips or any other processed human food.

4. Can dogs eat potato skin?

Dogs can eat potato peels, but it can cause some digestive distress. It also contains small amounts of oxalates, which, when eaten in large amounts, can lead to kidney problems. To avoid any unforeseen situation, it’s recommended to remove the peel of the potatoes before feeding the vegetable to your dog.

5. Can dogs with diabetes eat potatoes?

Potatoes contain a high amount of carbohydrates, which can result in blood sugar spikes. Therefore it’s best to avoid feeding them potatoes and consult with a veterinarian before making any changes to their diet.

You can also talk to your veterinarian about other healthy treat options for your sick pup.