Potatoes are one of the most popular and healthy foods for humans but before giving it to your dog, you might want to know…
Can dogs eat potatoes?
While these vegetables may seem harmless and full of nutritional value, feeding them to your dog might cause them some health issues.
Alongside rice, corn and wheat, potatoes have been grown for thousands of years and more. They belong to the nightshade family which we have to realize, that they may pose some risks to our dogs when consumed unripe or raw.
Dogs are carnivorous by nature but, they can also consume a variety of veggies in different ways. Some dog foods and dog treats, especially the expensive brands even have vegetables as food ingredients.
However, there are health risks and factors to consider if your dogs eat potatoes. Know the pros and cons and possible issues when feeding them to your canine buddy.
Are Potatoes Good for Dogs?
While dogs have a digestive system suitable for meats and bones, they are now living as omnivores which can both eat meats and plants.
Dogs don’t actually need carbohydrates, but it is one of the necessary ingredients for making kibble or dog foods.
Potatoes and sweet potatoes are the better sources of carbohydrates compared to corn and wheat thus, many dog food manufacturers include these ingredients.
Assorted vegetables are recommended to provide your dogs their nutritional requirements. Potato can also be given to them but in moderation.
Giving your dog a small portion of sweet potatoes is highly encouraged. You can also bake, boil or cook them to be given as a nutritious treat for your pet.
It contains vitamins A, B and C and packed with iron which is essential for dog growth. Sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of antioxidants and with lower glycemic index.
Simply, they don’t contain as much sugar like white potatoes so you can make sure your dog’s blood sugar level won’t get affected. Whilst, white potatoes are relatively cheaper than sweet potatoes, it has a higher glycemic index.
You can still make nutritious dog foods at home using white potatoes and sweet potatoes but give them to your dog on occasion.
Why Are Potatoes Bad for Dogs?
Like other root crops, potatoes are also high in carbohydrates.
Although it provides energy to your dogs, excessive consumption may lead to obesity, diabetes, and pancreatitis. Sweet potatoes are rich in starch that may cause gain weight if given to your dog frequently.
Moreover, dogs require meat proteins to keep them healthy and sustain proper functioning so it shouldn’t be a regular thing to feed them with vegetables such as potatoes. Keep in mind that potatoes and its variants can impose a number of health risks to your dogs.
Sweet potatoes contain more sugar than the required amount your dog needs. They may not be able to properly digest and filter this food and only adds empty calories. Likewise, excessive dietary fiber from vegetables in a single meal may result in a digestive upset.
Raw and unripe potatoes, as well as immature potato plants, usually contain solanine, a defensive poison found on the plant’s stems, leaves and in the potato skin.
Solanine can have a detrimental effect on your pet’s nervous system. It can slow their heart rate, blur the dog’s vision or obstruct proper digestion.
On the other hand, sweet potatoes may not be in the nightshade family but in some instances, it can still be toxic to our dogs. It should not also be given raw or unripened. While many of us enjoy potatoes in
Keep them away from potato chips, baked potatoes with flavorful toppings, French fries, and potato skins. Some of our potato recipes may include salt and oil which are not also healthy for dogs.
Seasonings can also result in an upset stomach. Potato skins, pies, and baked potatoes are usually served with cheeses, sour cream, and butter which are all harmful to our dog’s health.
Don’t feel upset if you will not feed your dog with vegetables regularly. Although veggies like potatoes are extremely beneficial and healthy for humans, these nutritional benefits are not similar to dog requirements.
Same goes with food flavorings and potatoes are no different. The problem with most dog parents, we want to pamper our dogs and give them delicious meals, comfortable environment, and a great life.
Our dogs are just happy to walk with us on a regular basis, enjoy lots of play time and tend to munch whatever it is that we give to them.
My dog ate Potatoes! What to do now?
Overall, potatoes can still be given to dogs on occasion and this should not be a problem.
However, for dogs that are not accustomed to eating potatoes, they might develop mild diarrhea or vomiting. Make sure to give him plenty of clean water to avoid dehydration.
Check for other signs of sickness. If this is the case, monitor your dog’s condition.
For worse case scenarios such as your dog has eaten raw potato or has consumed potatoes in a large amount, call the veterinarian immediately.
As they say, prevention is better than cure. Dr. Mike Sagman also suggests that one should limit their dog fiber intake to less than 10% of its daily diet.
Read the food labels or take note of the ingredients when making dog food at home.
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Whether it is sweet potato or white potato, these foods should be only given to dogs as occasional treats.
Although they have plenty of vitamins and minerals to offer, they also impose certain health risks.
Can dogs eat potatoes?
Yes. Your dog can have some potatoes.
Can dogs eat raw potatoes?
No. Never give them unripe or raw potatoes.
It is okay to feed your furry friend with some holiday leftovers with potatoes but again, this should be limited and in smaller portions.
Always remember that your dog’s nutritional requirements, digestive system, and food pyramid are different from ours.
Remember, what could be sumptuous and healthy for us could be harmful to them.
Hi my puppy has just eaten half a raw potatoe. Should I be worried?
Hi Natalie,
If your dog has eaten a small sized potato, then this should not be a problem. Most dogs are fine eating potatoes in a small amount. Although, some dogs may experience mild diarrhea or vomiting. The first thing you should so is to make sure to give him plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Be calm and monitor your dog’s condition. Check for other signs of sickness. If your dog experiences any sickness, visit your veterinarian immediately.
My dogs love eating raw potatoes….they are 8 and 9 years of age. Is it dangerous?
Hi Evelyn,
Most dogs are fine eating potatoes, but this should be limited and in smaller portions. Avoid giving them unripe or raw potatoes. Start with very small quantity and monitor your dog for any signs of sickness.
My dog got into approx. 2 cups of cooked potatoes with onions lastnight. He has vomited almost all it out this morning. Should I take him to the vet?
He’s only a year old
Read the article smart girl!
Yes you should. Although cooked potatoes are not usually harmful to the dog, onions may be fatal. However, if the onions were only used for seasoning, then there shouldn’t be enough to harm the dog badly.
What should I do my yorkie got a raw pat and ate some of it and Noew reading all the don’t let them have raw potato I crying and scared what should I do?
Hi Denise,
First, you need to calm down. Potatoes for dogs are not as harmful as other human food, such as onion or nuts.
If your dog ate a potato, then he might develop mild diarrhea or vomiting. Make sure to give him plenty of clean water to avoid dehydration.
Check for other signs of sickness and monitor his condition. If his condition changes, call your veterinarian immediately.
Grow up maybe! Should you have a dog?
jerry, Stop being rude or judgemental. Accidents do happen, even to Vets.
Great reply to the very rude person
Idiot, you are a very rude person. Grow up
People come here for help, not ridiculed! Jerry, why don’t YOU grow up and find something useful to do.
My 10 month old pit bull ate almost an entire raw sweet potato. No skin thankfully. How worried should I be?
Hi Kate,
Potatoes for dogs are not as harmful as other human food, such as onion or nuts. If your dog ate a potato, then he might develop mild diarrhea or vomiting. Make sure to give him plenty of clean water to avoid dehydration.
And check for any other signs of sickness. If his condition changes, call your veterinarian immediately.
Sir I hve a pom n he has been eating raw potatoes since d past 8years..he was also diagnosed to b suffering from hepatitis…i m very tensed…wat to do???
Hi Shreya,
Take your dog to a good veterinarian immediately.
My Yorkie eat raw patatoe does this cause skin eratation
Over a period of 7 years
Not necessarily.
My 13 week old puppy ate almost a whole baked potato four days ago and has vomited twice and had diarrhea twice and will rarely get out of her bed. she will not eat but is drinking water. what should i do?
After eating potatoes, the dog might develop mild diarrhea or vomiting. Make sure to give her plenty of clean water to avoid dehydration. And monitor your dog’s condition.
If her condition worsened, I would recommend you to take her to a vet immediately.
Years ago my two dogs, mother and daughter, had gotten into a 10lb bag of potatos and gallon jug of water while I was at work. I had mud through out my kitchen from the potatos and water. Between the 2 dogs they ate all but about a pound of potatos. Neither of them got sick in any way from all those potatos. Did I mention both dogs love potatos. When they knew I was peeling potatos they would come running.
Great replies, except from the very rude ahole
Potatoes are not fruit and they do not ripen, just like carrots. Baby potatoes are the same as larger ones, just smaller. A fruit is something that contains the plant’s seeds, so this means that an eggplant or a tomato are fruits.
Potatoes are reserves of nutrients for the plant and will sprout to grow a new plant, but they do not carry seeds. So they do not ripen. In fact, you can start a new potato plant from a small, so-called ‘baby’ potato as well as from a piece of a larger one, as long as it has at least one eye on it.
I gave cooked potatoes to my dogs; it is true that too many will soften the stools a little, but just a few to a large dog or a few pieces to a small dog have not been a problem. Even then I always give them whole with the skin because it contains the most nutrients.
Thanks for adding your thoughts Annie. I appreciate it. 🙂