Can Dogs Eat Potatoes? Are Potatoes Safe For Dogs?

Written by: Bojana Radulovic
Are baked, raw, or roasted potatoes safe for dogs? Find out if dogs can eat potatoes and if dogs should eat french fries or not.

Can dogs eat potatoes? You may be a huge lover of french fries, but does it mean that your dog should enjoy that famous dish as well?

Potato is a big part of the human diet, but did you know that potatoes are often included in dog gry food, as well?

Not only that potato comes with certain nutrients, but it also makes the dog food’s texture much more delicious. Plus, potatoes are used as a great source of carbohydrates.

Does this mean that dogs can eat potatoes? Yes. Dogs can eat potatoes when prepared the right way and when served right.

Dogs should not eat potatoes in every form, and never with salt or with any form of seasoning.

Let’s elaborate on this one further.

Are Potatoes Good For Dogs?

Now that you know that dogs can eat potatoes, let’s learn about its benefits for the dogs and why dogs should never eat raw potatoes.

Are potatoes ok for dogs? When prepared the right way, potatoes are ok for dogs as they offer several benefits to dogs.

As a vegetable potatoes are packed with:

  • Iron
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin B6

Potatoes offer many minerals, vitamins, and healthy nutrients that dogs can benefit from, as long as potatoes are prepared properly.

If you miss preparing potatoes well, if they are undercooked, or raw, or if Fido eats too many, know that your dog will experience an upset stomach, diarrhea, or even worse health issue.

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes Cooked?

Cooked potatoes are the safest form for your dog to chew. Cooked potatoes with no seasoning are safe for dogs when served occasionally and as a treat.

Do not change the dog’s regular food to a full potato meal. You can use it to enrich your dog’s daily food a bit and make bites more fun.

A canine’s body is specially designed to get most of its nutrients from animal protein. Therefore, feeding with potatoes should only be done in moderation.

Good to know: Feeding your dogs too many carbohydrates can eventually lead to obesity or other health problems.

The best way to feed your dog potatoes is to serve them cooked and plain. What about fried potatoes?

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes Chips?

If potato chips are homemade and plain with no salt or any other ingredient, it should be safe for your dog to eat chips or two.

What about deep-fried food?

Can Dogs Eat French Fries?

Dogs should not eat french fries, especially salty ones, as that food may fall hard on their stomach.

When made for humans, french fries are high in fat and salt making them a highly dangerous food for canines.

Can dogs eat french fries without salt?

If your dog grabs one or two fries salt-free he should be fine. However… If given regularly, french fries can lead to several health-related issues, such as obesity.

You are a big lover of french fries and you know that your dog will try to snatch a bite whenever you are not looking?

If that is the case you want to know how many french fries can a dog eat. A few french fries without seasoning on rare occasions should be fine.

Bear in mind that although they might eat a few french fries it doesn’t mean that they should. If possible avoid giving Fido french fries.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes?

You should never serve raw potatoes to your dog. Raw potatoes contain solanine, which is toxic to dogs in general.

Only by cooking potatoes, levels of solanine are being reduced.

Keep it simple. Keep it plain, and cooked.

Moreover, if your dog has medical problems already, especially diabetes, potatoes should be avoided by any cause.

Why? Potatoes are known for increasing blood sugar. For information about dogs and ketchup, you can check this link.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes With Skin?

This is another no as dogs should not eat raw potatoes, with skin or without.

Raw potatoes contain high levels of solanine, while potato skin contains oxalates which are also toxic to dogs and as such present a high risk to your dog’s health.

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?

If you insist on introducing potatoes to your dog’s diet, you should think about healthier options.

For example, sweet potatoes are a far healthier option than any red or white potatoes, regardless of the dosage.

Compared to regular potatoes, sweet potatoes are far more nutritional.

Sweet potatoes contain:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin B6
  • Calcium
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Iron

Since every dog is different, it would be best to start with a small amount first.

It will be easier to increase the amount with time. You want to make sure that your dog shows no issues with ingesting potatoes.

Also, you should always consult your veterinarian before you start any nutrition changes.

Furthermore, you should always talk to your veterinarian first, before you make any change in the dog’s diet.

Not sure if your dog should eat yams? Check this article for a precise answer on dogs and yams.

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes Chips?

Sweet potato chips made for humans can contain salts or some sort of artificial ingredients that can be harmful to dogs.

Since they are not safe, may lead to some health disturbances, such as diarrhea, or even worse, salt poisoning.

Are Potatoes Safe For Dogs?

As long as you always serve cooked or baked potatoes, this delicious vegetable should be safe for your dog.

However, you should never change your dog’s regular food (dry, wet, or raw food) with potatoes.

Using potatoes in a dog’s diet should be occasional, and to make the regular food more appealing.

Adding human foods in moderate dosage is ok, as long as it comes to enrich the existing food taste.

A canine’s body is specially designed to get most of its nutrients from animal protein. Therefore, feeding with potatoes – again – should only be done in moderation.

Also, giving your dogs too many carbohydrates can eventually lead to obesity or other health problems.

Alternative To Potato For Dogs

Sweet potato is always a good potato alternative, although you can make even healthier choices.

If you really want to offer your dog a variety of treats and food, there are some delicious and healthy human foods other than potatoes that you can give.

Think about introducing the following fruit and vegetable into the digs every diet:

Don’t forget that only 10% of od dogs’ daily diet should contain fruit and vegetable.

Naturally, always check with your veterinarian before you add anything new to the dog’s diet.

Below you may find additional tips to make you’re providing your canine with a well-rounded diet:

  • Dogs need a balanced diet, so always include fats, fibers, and vegetables.
  • Keep veggies and fruit to 10 percent of a canine’s diet.
  • Serve your dog food rich in protein.
  • Moisture your dog’s food by topping it with vegetables and fruits such as apples or broccoli.

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes – Summary

If your dog has any medical issues related to diabetes, you should never give your doggo potatoes, in any form.

On the other hand, if his general health is OK you can serve him some baked, cooked, or roasted potatoes – and in those forms only.

Never give your dog raw potatoes. Potatoes are energy food and they are highly digestible, as long as you serve them occasionally and in moderation.

Frequently Asked Questions Of Serving Potatoes To Dogs

1. How Much Potatoes Can I Give My Dog?

Serve your dog only cooked potato and only as an occasional treat. Use one cooked potato to mix it with dry dog food and add a bit of olive oil for easier digestion.

In general, safe human foods should not make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.

If your dog suffers from diabetes, you should avoid potatoes as this item may cause blood sugar spikes.

2. Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes?

As long as potatoes are well-cooked without salt or seasoning you can serve them to your dog.

There should not be any milk or butter. Never serve your dog food as you would serve it to yourself or your family members.

Know that dogs cannot benefit tremendously from eating only mashed potatoes and that they need food specially created for them.

3. Can Dogs Eat Potato Leek Soup?

Leeks are highly dangerous for dogs, and should never be served to dogs. Members of the Allium family are also onion, chives, and garlic, each being highly toxic to dogs.

4. Can Dogs Eat Roast Potatoes?

Roasted potatoes should not be included in a dog’s diet, as they are always prepared with seasoning.

Roasted potatoes are rolled not only in salt but often in garlic or spicy ingredients that make them so delicious for humans, and highly dangerous for dogs.