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Can dogs have potatoes?


Potatoes are a common staple food for humans, but can our canine companions eat them too? The short answer is yes, dogs can eat potatoes in moderation. However, potatoes should always be fed to dogs cooked, without seasonings and served in small portions.

Are Potatoes Safe For Dogs?

Potatoes themselves are not toxic or poisonous to dogs. However, there are some things to be aware of when feeding potatoes to dogs:

  • Raw potatoes – Raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound that is toxic to dogs if consumed in large quantities. Always cook potatoes before feeding to dogs.
  • Green potatoes – The green skin or flesh of a potato contains higher levels of solanine and can be dangerous to dogs. Avoid feeding potatoes with any green coloration.
  • Rotten potatoes – Rotting potatoes can grow mold which can cause gastrointestinal upset if eaten by dogs.
  • Potato plants – The green tops of potato plants contain solanine and should be kept away from dogs.

As long as you feed your dog cooked, peeled potatoes without any green parts, they are perfectly safe in moderation.

Nutritional Value of Potatoes for Dogs

Cooked potatoes can provide some key vitamins, minerals and nutrients for dogs:

  • Carbohydrates – Potatoes are a source of carbohydrates and fiber for energy.
  • Vitamin C – Potatoes contain vitamin C which supports immune health.
  • Vitamin B6 – Potatoes have vitamin B6 which aids metabolism.
  • Potassium – Potatoes provide potassium which is important for muscle and nerve function.
  • Magnesium – Magnesium in potatoes helps bone development.
  • Iron – Potatoes have small amounts of iron which helps transport oxygen in the blood.

However, potatoes should not make up the bulk of a dog’s diet as they do not provide complete and balanced nutrition on their own. They should be fed occasionally and in moderation along with a high-quality commercial dog food.

Benefits of Potatoes for Dogs

When fed in moderation, cooked potatoes can provide some benefits for dogs:

  • Energy – The carbohydrates and fiber in potatoes can provide dogs with lasting energy.
  • Digestion – The fiber in potatoes may help some dogs have more regular bowel movements.
  • Muscle function – The potassium in potatoes supports healthy muscle function.
  • Immunity – Vitamin C helps strengthen dogs’ immune systems.
  • Metabolism – B vitamins like B6 aid dogs’ metabolic processes.

Again, it’s important to emphasize that potatoes should only make up a small portion of a dog’s diet. But when fed occasionally in reasonable amounts, potatoes can provide helpful nutrition and health benefits.

Potential Risks of Feeding Potatoes to Dogs

While potatoes are not toxic to dogs, there are some potential downsides to be aware of when feeding potatoes:

  • Weight gain – Potatoes are high in carbohydrates and calories. Feeding too many may lead to obesity.
  • Blood sugar spikes – The starch in potatoes may cause blood sugar spikes in diabetic dogs.
  • Gastrointestinal issues – Too much potato could lead to gas, bloating or diarrhea in dogs prone to these issues.
  • Allergies – Some dogs may have potato allergies and experience itching, stomach upset or skin issues when fed potatoes.
  • Nutrient deficiencies – Relying too heavily on potatoes could lead to deficiencies in important vitamins and minerals.
  • Choking hazard – Cooked potatoes can be a choking hazard for dogs, especially if fed in large chunks.

To avoid these risks, potatoes should be fed cooked, peeled, mashed or diced and only make up a small portion of your dog’s diet. Discontinue feeding if any allergic reaction is observed. Monitor your dog’s weight and energy level when adding potatoes.

How Much Potato Can Dogs Eat?

There is no single definitive amount of potato that is safe and appropriate for all dogs. The amount of potato you can feed depends on your dog’s size, weight, activity level and overall health. Some general feeding guidelines for potatoes for dogs:

  • Small dogs – No more than 2 tablespoons of cooked potato per day.
  • Medium dogs – Up to 1/4 cup of cooked potato per day.
  • Large dogs – Up to 1/2 cup of cooked potato per day.
  • Active dogs – May be able to handle slightly more potato.
  • Overweight dogs – Avoid potatoes or feed less than suggested amounts.
  • Diabetic dogs – Consult your vet on appropriate potato serving sizes.
  • Senior dogs – Feed less than suggested amounts due to decreased activity and metabolism.

Start with small amounts of potato to assess your dog’s tolerance. Adjust serving sizes up or down as needed to maintain ideal body weight and health. Avoid feeding potatoes every day or making it a significant part of the diet.

Best Ways to Prepare Potatoes for Dogs

The best and safest ways to prepare potatoes for dogs include:

  • Boiled or baked potatoes – Thoroughly boiling or baking helps break down complex starches into more digestible forms.
  • Mashed potatoes – Mashing cooked potatoes provides a soft texture dogs can easily eat and digest.
  • Diced potatoes – Dicing cooked potatoes into small, bite-sized pieces reduces choking risk.
  • Plain potatoes – Avoid adding butter, oils, salt, pepper or other seasonings.
  • Cooled potatoes – Let potatoes cool down before feeding to prevent mouth burns.

Never feed dogs raw potatoes or potatoes that have turned green. Stick to plain cooked potato prepared through boiling, baking, mashing or dicing. Allow potatoes to fully cool before serving to your dog.

Can Dogs Have Sweet Potatoes?

Sweet potatoes are another starchy root vegetable similar to regular potatoes. But are they safe for dogs to eat too? The answer is yes, dogs can eat sweet potatoes.

Some key differences between sweet and regular potatoes for dogs:

  • More fiber – Sweet potatoes contain slightly more fiber.
  • Higher vitamin A – Sweet potatoes provide more vitamin A than white potatoes.
  • Better source of carotenoids – Sweet potatoes are rich in antioxidants like beta carotene.
  • Slightly fewer calories – Sweet potatoes are a little lower in calories than white potatoes.

Sweet potatoes make an excellent occasional treat or supplement for dogs. They provide similar health benefits to regular potatoes and are generally very safe for dogs to consume when cooked. Follow the same preparation guidelines, serving sizes and frequency recommendations as you would for regular potatoes. Both varieties can be fed to dogs in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Potato Recipes for Dogs

Here are some simple, healthy potato recipes you can make at home to feed your dog:

Chicken and Potato Dog Food

Ingredients:

  • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup brown rice
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

  1. Boil or bake diced sweet potato until very soft.
  2. Cook rice according to package instructions.
  3. Saute chicken and spinach in olive oil until chicken is cooked through.
  4. Shred chicken into small bits.
  5. Mix all ingredients together, adding chicken broth as needed for moisture.

This recipe provides protein from chicken, fiber from sweet potatoes and spinach, and carbohydrates from rice for a balanced doggie meal.

Pumpkin Potato Dog Treats

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium baked sweet potato
  • 1/4 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mash cooked sweet potato until smooth.
  3. Mix in pumpkin, peanut butter and egg.
  4. Stir in flour 1/2 cup at a time until a dough forms.
  5. Roll out dough and cut into bone shapes using a cookie cutter.
  6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until hardened.
  7. Cool completely before serving.

These baked treats give your dog the benefits of sweet potato, fiber and protein for a healthy, homemade snack.

Can Dogs Eat Potato Chips?

It’s best to avoid feeding your dog potato chips or other processed potato products like french fries. Here’s why potato chips are not recommended for dogs:

  • High fat content – Potato chips are cooked in oil and loaded with fat dogs don’t need.
  • Salt content – The high sodium levels found in chips can be harmful to dogs.
  • Preservatives – Chip ingredients like citric acid and sodium bisulfite are not good for dogs.
  • Lack of nutrients – Chips provide empty calories without vitamins or minerals.
  • Choking hazard – Chips can be difficult for dogs to chew and may cause choking.
  • Artificial flavors – Onion and garlic flavors can be toxic for dogs.

Occasionally allowing your dog a small piece of plain potato chip probably won’t hurt. But potato chips really provide zero nutritional value and pose multiple risks you’re better off avoiding on a regular basis.

Can Dogs Eat Potato Skins?

It’s fine to feed your dog small amounts of cooked potato skins in moderation. Some key things to keep in mind when feeding potato skins:

  • Cook thoroughly – Raw skins may contain solanine or pesticide residue.
  • Avoid seasonings – Don’t feed skins with added salt, butter or spices.
  • Remove fat – Trim excess fat before feeding potato skins to dogs.
  • Chop into pieces – Cut skins into small, bite-size pieces dogs can chew safely.
  • Limit quantity – No more than 2-3 strips of potato skin per day for small dogs.

Potato skins provide extra fiber dogs can benefit from. But be cautious of choking hazards with this treat and do not overfeed. Monitor stool consistency when adding this new food. Discontinue use if any digestive upset occurs.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes?

It is not recommended to feed dogs raw potatoes. Raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound that is toxic to dogs when consumed in excess. Solanine poisoning can cause:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weakness
  • Confusion
  • Trouble breathing (in severe cases)

Consuming small amounts of raw potato likely won’t seriously harm most dogs. But there is no benefit to feeding raw potato when cooked potato is safe. Always cook potatoes thoroughly before feeding to dogs to avoid solanine poisoning. Discard any potatoes with green coloring due to higher solanine concentrations.

Potatoes Dogs Can and Can’t Eat

Here is a quick recap of which types of potatoes are safe for dogs and which should be avoided:

Can Eat Avoid
Cooked white potatoes Raw potatoes
Cooked sweet potatoes Potato plants and leaves
Plain mashed potatoes Green or sprouted potatoes
Low-salt baked potatoes Moldy potatoes
Small amounts of cooked skins Potatoes fried in oil

Focus on feeding dogs plain, cooked potato without any added seasonings. Avoid raw potatoes and those with signs of mold or solanine toxicity.

Signs of Potato Poisoning in Dogs

Monitor your dog closely when first introducing potatoes to watch for any signs of intolerance or allergic reaction. Discontinue feeding potatoes if any of these signs develop:

  • Excessive drooling
  • Upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea
  • Red, itchy skin or hives
  • Swelling of face, lips, eyes or tongue
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Weakness or shaking
  • Dilated pupils

Seek veterinary care immediately if your dog shows any concerning symptoms after eating potatoes. Potato poisoning from solanine is also possible and can cause:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Confusion
  • Weakness
  • Rapid breathing
  • Collapse

Avoid solanine toxicity by never feeding dogs potatoes that are raw, sprouted, green or peeling. Seek emergency vet assistance if solanine poisoning is suspected.

Potato Allergy in Dogs

Some dogs may have potato allergies and experience signs of allergic reaction when consuming potatoes. Symptoms of a potato allergy can include:

  • Skin irritation
  • Face, mouth or ear swelling
  • Itchy feet
  • Upset stomach
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Gas

If your dog shows any allergic symptoms after eating potatoes, discontinue feeding immediately and consult your veterinarian. They can perform allergy testing to confirm or rule out a potato allergy.

Most dogs tolerate potatoes well but allergies are possible. Go slowly when first introducing potatoes and be alert for subtle signs of sensitivity or intolerance.

Potatoes and Dog Diets

When incorporated properly, potatoes can be included in many types of dog diets:

For puppies

– Only feed small amounts of mashed potato to puppies over 12 weeks old. Avoid giving potatoes to young puppies.

For adult dogs

– Healthy adult dogs can eat limited potatoesmixed into a balanced commercial dog food.

For senior dogs

– Older, less active dogs may need portion sizes restricted to prevent weight gain.

For overweight dogs

– Avoid feeding potatoes to overweight or obese dogs trying to lose weight.

For diabetic dogs

– Consult your vet on appropriate potato serving sizes for dogs with diabetes.

For dogs with allergies

– If your dog has potato allergies, eliminate potatoes completely from the diet.

For dogs with gastrointestinal issues

– Only feed bland mashed potatoes during episodes of vomiting or diarrhea.

Work with your veterinarian to determine if and how potatoes can be incorporated into your individual dog’s diet.

Conclusion

In moderation, potatoes can provide health benefits to dogs as part of a balanced diet. When feeding potatoes, always cook them thoroughly, serve them plain without seasonings, and dice or mash to reduce choking risk. Avoid feeding potatoes raw or make them a large part of your dog’s diet. Monitor your dog for any signs of potato intolerance or allergy. Overall, both white and sweet potatoes can be an enjoyable treat for most dogs when fed properly in limited amounts. Check with your vet if you have any concerns over incorporating potatoes into your dog’s meals.