Can dogs eat potatoes? Tips & tricks for feeding
The healthy tuber has become a staple in our human diets. No wonder, since with its low fat content, high protein and fiber as well as essential nutrients it’s a real all-rounder. But what about our four-legged friends? Can dogs eat potatoes and are they even valuable as an ingredient in their bowl? The answer is: Yes, absolutely.
The myth that dogs only need meat has long been disproven. That’s why plant-based, carbohydrate-rich components are also making their way into the bowl – like potatoes, for example. But be careful, there are some things you need to consider when feeding them. Only cooked potatoes are digestible, raw potatoes on the other hand, are toxic for dogs.
This is why raw potatoes are toxic for dogs
Peeling potatoes and snacking on them raw? For us, that’s inedible and it’s the same for your furry friend. In addition, the peel contains the toxin solanine, which is also found in unripe tomatoes and is toxic for your dog. If the potato is well cooked, solanine loses its toxic effect.
If your furry friend snatches a raw potato while you’re cooking, it can lead to serious side effects and, depending on the amount eaten, even be dangerous for your dog to consume. Symptoms your dog may show after eating a raw potato include:
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Tremors
Apathy
heavy panting
Seizures
If your dog has eaten a raw potato, you should contact your trusted veterinarian to be on the safe side. Depending on the amount consumed, an emetic may need to be administered so that the raw potato doesn’t reach the intestines in the first place. Under no circumstances should you try to induce vomiting yourself, but only rely on veterinary advice.
Raw potatoes are inedible for dogs due to the toxic solanine. Not every food that is suitable for humans is also tolerated by a dog's stomach.
Boiled, pureed, mashed – how to feed potatoes to your dog
Boiled potatoes are always safe for your dog and a real benefit as an ingredient in their bowl. Just like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, broccoli or carrots most dogs not only enjoy the taste of these foods a lot, but they’re also very healthy. If you want to feed your dog potatoes, you can serve them cooked as chunks, puree, or mashed potatoes. Keep in mind that your furry friend’s meal, as part of a species-appropriate dog diet should be varied and diverse, and should be based on the principles of a healthy meal for dogs.
Health in the bowl – this includes high-quality components such as crunchy fruits and vegetables that provide nutrients and support the immune system.
Feed potatoes as a side dish, not as a complete meal. Especially dogs that already suffer from overweight can quickly gain weight due to the high carbohydrate content . It’s also important to adjust the feeding amount. If you feed your dog wet or dry food, you can occasionally enrich the food with a bit of potato, but if you feed it regularly, you should reduce the recommended amount accordingly.
Are you looking for a food that already contains potato? In our Pets Deli wet food we use healthy vegetables like potatoes & more to create real culinary delights in your dog’s bowl!
Our wet food: Refined with potatoes and other vegetables
4 reasons why potatoes are good for dogs
Easy to digest: Potatoes are gentle on the stomach and are suitable if your dog has diarrhea or is vomiting. For sensitive dogs, potatoes are an easily digestible treat!
Ideal for allergies: Some dogs develop food allergies. Luckily, potatoes are considered very well tolerated and provide your dog with healthy proteins and carbohydrates, even if they have to avoid many other ingredients.
Pure energy: Potatoes provide your dog with energy by supplying the body with a high carbohydrate content. The plant-based protein also gives an extra energy boost!
Nutrient-rich snack: Potatoes are packed with potassium, iron, and magnesium, which benefit healthy heart function and also muscle function. Vitamins B1 and B2 as well as vitamin C are important for energy metabolism, stimulate the production of red blood cells, and help maintain nerve function.
