Do you feel like sharing a slice of potato from the dinner table with your dog? We know you do because those large eyes are on you! Not all meals, however, are safe for our dogs. Potatoes, for example, appear to be harmless, but can dogs eat potatoes?
Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?
Can dogs eat potatoes? The short answer is that it depends. They do include vitamin C, vitamin B6, magnesium, iron, as well as a variety of other essential minerals for dogs. However, if they are not prepared properly or if you give them to your dog in excess, there may be negative health consequences.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat Raw Potatoes?
Never feed a raw potato to your dog. White potatoes are a member of the nightshade family, which also includes tomatoes. Raw potatoes, like tomatoes, contain solanine, a toxin to certain dogs. However, boiling a potato diminishes its solanine content.
If you do decide to give your dog a potato, it should be roasted or boiled plain. Potatoes that have been cooked in oil, like chips or fries, or potatoes that have been seasoned with butter or salt, are not healthy for dogs. Potatoes should be avoided if your pooch has diabetes, as they can trigger blood sugar rises.
Because a dog’s body is built to obtain the majority of its nutrition from animal protein, feeding your pooch baked or boiled potatoes should be done sparingly. Providing an excessive amount of carbs to a dog might result in obesity or other health conditions.
What About Instant Mashed Potatoes?
Instant mashed potatoes are not a good idea to feed your pup since they include several components that are highly harmful, especially for young puppies.
Instant mashed potatoes require milk, which may cause serious digestive problems in lactose-intolerant dogs.
Instant mashed potatoes include a high sodium content. Additionally, they frequently include additional spices, chives, and garlic.
Instant mashed potatoes may have a high cheese content depending on the flavoring used.
Is It Safe for Dogs to Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are a more healthful alternative than white potatoes. They are high in vitamin A, B6, and C as well as potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, etc.
Each dog is unique, so begin with a tiny bit of potato to ensure that your dog has no difficulty digesting it. Consult your veterinarian prior to adding a new food to your pup’s diet.
Health Advantages of Potatoes
As mentioned earlier, potato nutritional list includes vitamin C, iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, etc. Some of the health benefits of potatoes are as follows:
Vitamin C: It is a potent antioxidant that is well-known for its ability to combat free radicals that can cause cell death. Additionally, it boosts your dog’s immune system and helps senior dogs combat cognitive ageing.
Potassium: A nutrient that helps keep your dog’s kidneys healthy. Additionally, it promotes effective heart and muscle function, as well as a healthy digestive system.
Magnesium: It is a trace mineral that aids in the breakdown of proteins and fatty acids. Additionally, it is necessary for energy generation and ligament and bone repair.
Iron: It is a necessary ingredient for the synthesis of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Hemoglobin transports oxygen throughout the body and is responsible for energy production.
Calcium: It is a necessary mineral for the development of strong bones and teeth, as well as for blood coagulation, wound healing, and the maintenance of normal blood pressure in your dog’s body.
Fiber: It is necessary for the digestive system to operate properly. If your dog is experiencing diarrhea or constipation, the fiber in potatoes can assist in resolving these issues. It also prolongs the sensation of fullness following a meal. This is advantageous for an overweight dog.
The Dangers of Eating Potatoes
Potatoes, like tomatoes, and eggplant, are nightshade vegetables. The nightshade plants have a high concentration of Solanine, a compound that is extremely harmful to both animals and humans.
Solanine is found in the potato plant’s skins, roots, stems, and leaves. It is used to defend the plant against fungus and is poisonous if consumed.
Because the potato is the edible tuberous root of the plant, fully heating it decreases the solanine content to a level that is safe to consume. The stem and leaves of plants are never safe to consume.
Green Potatoes: Have you ever bought a bag of potatoes and discovered that many of them had green skin? When light is not properly stored, it activates the chlorophyll in the skin, turning it green.
Green potato skin contains a high concentration of solanine. They are poisonous and should not be consumed by people or animals. Cooking potatoes with green peel DOES NOT lower the amount of solanine in the potatoes.
The level of solanine toxicity varies according to the amount consumed, but excessive use can result in death in as little as 14 hours.
The following are symptoms of solanine toxicity:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea or digestive discomfort
- Weakness
- As it enters the central nervous system, confusion or loss of coordination occurs.
If you produce potatoes in your garden, construct a dog-proof barrier to keep dogs away from the plant. If you believe your dog has consumed a raw potato or any other part of the potato plant, immediately contact your veterinarian.
Additionally, you may reach the Pet Poison Hotline at 855-764-7661.
Which Dogs Are Prohibited From Eating Potatoes?
Numerous limited-ingredient and grain-free pet diets use white potatoes as the primary source of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are believed to have a very high glycemic index; however they provide energy to your dog’s body.
However, because carbohydrates are converted to glucose to provide energy, an excess of carbs can result in weight gain or dangerously high blood sugar and insulin levels, making them unsuitable for diabetic dogs and overweight dogs.