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Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?

Updated on July 18, 2024
Reviewer Profile Photo
Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team

Yes, when they’re cooked and offered in moderation. Potatoes contain many vitamins and minerals, and are a good source of fiber and protein. But dogs eating a commercially available, nutritionally balanced dog food should not need added vitamins and minerals. In fact, feeding them too much of even a nutritious food can throw off this nutrient balance and cause health problems. And as with any new food, remember to consult your vet first to ensure it’s appropriate for your particular pet.

Answering the question of whether dogs can eat potatoes often leads to even more questions. Can dogs eat baked potatoes? Can dogs eat cheese on their baked potato? What about the skin? Read on for answers to some common potato-related questions.

Are potatoes good for dogs?

The nutritional value of potatoes is complex.

The carbohydrates in potatoes can be a great energy source for active pups who spend extended periods running and exploring. However, even for active, growing dogs, their main diet should be nutritionally complete and balanced commercially available puppy food, and potatoes should only be an occasional treat. Plus, if your canine is more of an indoor dog or doesn’t have room to freely exercise throughout the day, the extra carbohydrates in potatoes can lead to weight gain. Potatoes are also high in starch – a carbohydrate - and generally shouldn’t be given to dogs with diabetes, as they can cause blood sugar elevations. Otherwise, potatoes can be an appropriate snack for your dog in small amounts on occasion for dogs whose vets give them the green light to eat them.

Potatoes contain several nutrients, including::

  • Vitamin C An important antioxidant
  • Vitamin B6 This essential vitamin has many vital functions: helping make glucose, aiding in hormone regulation, assisting red blood cells in doing their job, and supporting nervous and immune systems function
  • Iron Your pup’s body needs iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body
  • Magnesium This nutrient is used in energy production throughout the body. It plays a role in hundreds of biochemical reactions throughout the body, from the heart to the brain
  • Fiber This is great for your dog’s digestive tract. It can help regulate the microbiome in your pup’s gut and improve the consistency and regularity of their bowel movements

Keep in mind, however, that even nutrient-rich treats and snacks, such as potatoes, should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s total daily dietary caloric intake. A small serving of potatoes shouldn’t be viewed as a nutritional boost for your dog but rather a fun and tasty occasional treat.

» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.

 

How to feed potatoes to your dog

Can dogs eat potatoes? The answer tips is yes, when offered in small amounts and prepared properly:

  • Peel the skins If your peeling isn’t perfect, don’t worry. While small amounts of skin aren’t likely to cause any issues for your pup, potato skin contains oxalates which, when consumed in large amounts or too often can be contribute to kidney problems
  • Cook them thoroughly Can dogs eat raw potatoes? No. Like several other veggies, potatoes should be boiled or baked before they’re fed to your dog. Potatoes contain small amounts of a toxic compound called solanine—the same toxin that’s found in other nightshade-family plants. Cooking reduces solanine to safer levels. Mash the cooked potatoes, or cut them into bite-size chunks so they don’t present a choking hazard to your dog.
  • Avoid oils and butter Can dogs eat fried potatoes? Can dogs eat potato chips? No to both questions. The frying process typically involves using oils or butter, that can add tons of unnecessary fat and calories, to your dog’s diet and can lead to unhealthy weight gain. High-fat butter and oil also cause pancreatic inflammation, strain on joints from weight gain, and gastrointestinal upset.
  • Say no to add-ins These include milk, cheese, salt, pepper and toxic ingredients like garlic and onions, all of which are tasty toppers on potatoes that can cause illness and even death in dogs.

FAQs about feeding your dog potatoes

That can depend on how the potatoes were prepared and how much of them your dog consumes. If your pet consumes a large amount of raw potatoes or potatoes prepared with toxic ingredients like onions and garlic, contact your veterinarian or call pet poison control immediately. If they eat a significant amount of potatoes cooked in heavy oils, butter or seasoning, your dog may experience stomach upset. If your pup consumes plain boiled or baked potatoes, they’ll likely be fine. However, potatoes can cause blood sugar spikes, so if your pup has diabetes, so, they’re not recommended as snacks.

Can my dog eat potatoes in large amounts? Can they eat them every day? Potatoes should be considered a treat, and treats should make up more than 10% of your pet’s total daily caloric intake. While potatoes have some nutrients in them, they are high-calorie and should not be offered to your dog, even in small amounts, every day. To help you determine how much potato is appropriate as an occasional snack, consult your veterinarian, and remember that a golf ball-size peeled potato is about 130 calories.

As long as you don’t prepare them with onions or garlic—or any other ingredients, including seasonings or lots of high-fat butter or oils that can be toxic to dogs—cooked potatoes generally won’t harm your pet. Even a small amount potatoes fried in oil, salt, or butter probably won’t hurt your dog but can contribute unnecessary calories to your dog’s diet that may cause weight gain and other health issues over time. Baked or boiled potatoes are best when it comes to feeding your pup an occasional potato snack. Mash them up or cut them into bite-size chunks to reduce the risk of choking.

Can dogs eat potato skin? Potato skins contain a potentially harmful toxin called oxalate. Cooked potato skins can be OK if consumed in moderation, but they can cause stomach upset if eaten in large amounts, just like raw potatoes. If you really want to make your dog a tasty baked potato, peel it, bake it, let it cool, mash it or cut it into bite-size chunks, and then top it with a protein such as la bite or two of lean meat cooked without spices or oils.

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