Potatoes are a well-known favorite among humans, how can they not be? And it’s so tempting to offer your pup a little taste! However, can dogs eat potatoes? And what about the peels and sweet potatoes?
We all want the very best for our furry and four-legged besties. Let’s investigate if potatoes are good for them so that you can share your heart-warming dishes with a worry-free mind!
Is It Okay For Dogs to Eat Potatoes?
Yes, but only if you cook them first. Don’t give your dog any uncooked potatoes. They contain a toxin called solanine and are therefore classified as a nightshade family member. “Nightshades” is a group of vegetables that all contain small doses of different sorts of alkaloid compounds. Other than potatoes, this group includes eggplants, tomatoes, and peppers. These plants produce these compounds as a means of defense and are consequently toxic. Dog owners who grow their vegetables should also keep their pets away from the potatoes they grow.
You can safely feed your dog cooked, unseasoned potatoes; in fact, many commercial dog diets include potatoes as an ingredient.
What Are the Nutrition Benefits of Potatoes?
Potatoes are an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. They are beneficial to both the immune system and the nervous system of your dog.
However, potatoes contain a high carbohydrate content, which translates to many calories. Your dog can gain weight if you feed them an excessive amount of potatoes or anything else that’s high in carbohydrate content. If you absolutely give your pet potatoes, do so in moderation at the very most.
Constipation is a common side effect of eating excessive potatoes in dogs, just like in people. Because of their significant amount of carbohydrates, a dog’s diet should not center around these foods.
Instead of ordinary potatoes, more people are opting for the more nutritious and delicious sweet potato. They include a higher concentration of vitamins, and most canines adore the somewhat sweet flavor. Raw sweet potatoes are simpler to digest than cooked ones, and it is not unsafe for a dog to gnaw on one since sweet potatoes do not have the same toxins as regular potatoes.
Will Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes?
Potato is toxic to dogs in its raw form; thus, you should never offer them to your dog. Raw white potatoes, like raw tomatoes, carry solanine, a chemical that is harmful to dogs.
However, solanine levels are diminished by cooking a potato. Therefore, make sure it’s cooked or boiled and plain. Dogs shouldn’t eat french fries, potato chips, or any other form of fried potato. Nor should they eat potatoes that have been buttered or salted. Potatoes, which can rapidly increase blood sugar levels, should be avoided if your dog has diabetes.
Since the structure of a dog’s body is such that it is best able to derive the majority of the nutrients it needs from animal protein, providing your canine companion with potatoes that have been baked or boiled should only be done so sparingly. Providing an excessive amount of carbs to a dog can lead to obesity as well as other health issues.
Should Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Because they have a significantly higher concentration of nutrients, sweet potatoes are a far better choice for your health than white potatoes. They are rich in various nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and B6, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron.
As each dog is unique, you should begin by giving your dog a very little potato to ensure that it won’t have any trouble digesting it. Before starting your canine companion off on a new diet, you should always discuss the matter with your dog’s regular veterinarian.
Is it Possible for Dogs to Eat Potato Skin?
A small amount of potato skin is perfectly fine, although sharing potatoes that have had the skin removed is preferable. Oxalates are abundant in potato skins, and if your dog consumes a significant amount of oxalates, this could lead to kidney problems. It should be noted that they need to eat quite an excessive amount for this to happen; skin-on potatoes that equal fifty percent of their body weight.
Should Dogs Eat Cooked White Potatoes?
You should only give your dog a small amount of well-cooked, plain white potato. Dogs shouldn’t eat potato chips, French fries, or mashed potatoes because of their high fat and salt content.
Do not feed potatoes to a diabetic dog since they can create dangerously high blood sugar levels.
Small amounts of potato given as a reward could be added to your dog’s total number of treats, but should never exceed 10% of its daily caloric intake.
Can You Give Mashed Potatoes to Your Dogs?
Mashed potatoes are dog-friendly, but they won’t be the same as the ones you serve your family. Your dog only wants basic, unseasoned mashed potatoes, so that’s what you should offer them. You shouldn’t season it with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, or anything else. Onion and garlic powders are among the ingredients that can be poisonous to dogs and lead to anemia if ingested. Furthermore, high quantities of salt can cause rapid dehydration. As a tasty reward, you can give your dog a little bit of plain mashed potatoes.
Can You Feed Your Dog Baked Potatoes?
Of course, you can give your dog a bite or two of your baked potato! The baked potato your dog eats must be unseasoned, cooked properly, and peeled. Worry not if you forgot to make a special baked potato for your dog. If you want to feed your pet a potato, you must wash it and peel off the skin. You shouldn’t feed your dog a baked potato you’ve flavored it before baking.
Do Potatoes Have Effects on Their Blood Sugar Levels?
Carbohydrates, such as potatoes, are converted into glucose, which gives your dog energy when they eat them. Glucose enters cells after the secretion of insulin. An issue arises when starchy carbohydrates like potatoes make up a significant portion of your dog’s diet. They lead to surges in blood sugar, necessitating continual insulin secretion to stabilize glucose levels. As time passes, your dog may grow less sensitive to insulin, prompting the pancreas to generate more insulin than necessary. It may cause insulin resistance and diabetes in the long run.
If your dog has insulin resistance, they are at risk for thyroid illness and certain cancers. Your dog may acquire weight because insulin plays a key part in fat storage. When his body isn’t correctly controlling their intake of carbohydrates, weight loss can be difficult.
How to Serve Potatoes for Your Dogs?
For some, potatoes are best when smothered in butter and cheese, while others prefer fried and salted. Dogs shouldn’t consume those kinds of concoctions, though. It’s fine to give your dog a few french fries here and there. However, the extra salt and fat we like to add to potatoes aren’t healthy for your dog, so limit the number of treats he gets from them.
Potatoes should be served to dogs, boiled and unseasoned. You can bake, steam, or mash the potatoes for them.
What is the Right Quantity of Potatoes for Your Dog?
Follow the 10% rule when giving your dog treats, such as potatoes, and remember that treats can account for up to 10% of your dog’s total daily calorie intake. About 130 calories can be found in a potato with its skin peeled off, about the size of a golf ball.
Conclusion
Although potatoes are rich in nutrients that are good for your dog, you shouldn’t make them a regular part of his diet. Solanine, a chemical found in raw potatoes, harms dogs in large enough doses. Never feed raw potatoes to your dog.
Negative health effects from eating raw potatoes include gastrointestinal irritation, fatigue, tiredness, and even weight gain. Before adding anything new to your dog’s diet, it’s always best to have their vet’s approval.
Thank you for reading this article! If you are curious about other foods that could be potentially dangerous for your loyal companion, read our post: Can Dogs Eat Cherries?
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