Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?

Potatoes are so underrated and nutritious! and dogs can safely enjoy them as long as they are cooked, baked, or mashed without extra fat, seasonings, or spices! They are a simple source of vitamins and minerals and low in calories, which makes them an excellent addition to protein-based meals!

Table Of Contents

Can dogs eat baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes?
Potato health benefits for dogs
What happens when dogs eat raw potatoes or raw potato skins?
Can dogs eat French fries, and why are fried potatoes the worst option for dogs
Should dogs with diabetes or pancreatitis eat potatoes?
Are potato-based dishes like potato salad and potato soup safe for dogs?
Types of potatoes and how good they are for dogs
FAQs

I adore potatoes! I spent my whole adolescence avoiding potatoes like the plague thanks to misinformation in beauty magazines… but potatoes are so healthy, tasty, and nourishing, especially when you don’t drench them in oil and deep fry. And they can be good for dogs as well!

Dogs can usually eat most of our potato-based dishes and cooked potatoes, but some extras like butter, salt, or seasonings may not be the best choice for them, so stay with us and read more about the best potato options for dogs.

Can dogs eat baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes?

Dogs can eat baked and boiled potatoes, especially if you prepare a small portion without extra salt, butter, oil, or seasonings. Baked potatoes are nourishing and rich in potassium.

There’s nothing in baked or boiled potatoes that would make them unsafe, and these types of cooking methods really preserve the nutrients. In contrast, deep frying burns off anything that’s healthy.

If you ever wondered if dogs can eat mashed potatoes, you had an overly enthusiastic dog licking your plate with mash and gravy! The good news is that dogs can eat mashed potatoes!

It’s just important to remember that mashed potatoes have milk and butter, which some dogs don’t digest well. The combination of butter and potatoes—fat and starch—is not ideal for dogs, as their sensitive tummies can have a hard time digesting them. But if your dog tolerates milk just fine, you can make some mashed potatoes without butter, and your dog can enjoy them.

Can dogs eat instant potatoes or potato flakes?

The good news is that instant potatoes, potato flakes, potatoes from the box, and other variations don’t have any harmful ingredients, and your dog can eat them just fine.

But please remember that instant versions are highly processed, and we can safely categorize them as empty calories, so they are not recommended for dogs. Instant mashed potatoes can also have additional fats, oils, or additives that can upset your dog’s stomach. This type of food can also make your dog fat if you give it to them regularly.

Instant mashed potatoes are not the best choice for dogs

Homemade is always better, but if you’re eating instant mashed potatoes and sharing with your dog, make sure to read the labels, as there can be lots of added salt, spices, or flavorings.

Potato health benefits for dogs

I already mentioned how much I love potatoes; they are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. I love baked and cooked potatoes with olive oil and garlic powder, and that’s my go-to comfort food! I share cooked potatoes with my dog but without any oil, garlic powder, or salt!

Here are my favorite health benefits that are true for both us and our dogs!

Baked potatoes are a complex carb, so they provide energy for an extended period of time. This can be good for dogs that tend to overeat, as potatoes will help them feel full for longer.

Potatoes are rich in vitamins B6 and C, which are important for brain health and overall immune function. They have minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron that are essential for muscle health and healthy blood cells.

Another benefit is that baked potatoes are easy on a dog’s digestive system. Potatoes support healthy bowel movements and can help with digestion, which is great for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

What happens when dogs eat raw potatoes or raw potato skins?

It really depends on the amount of raw potatoes and skins your dog ate and the size of your dog.

It’s important to know that raw potatoes aren’t safe for dogs because they contain a compound called solanine, which can be harmful in large amounts.

There are higher solanine concentrations in raw potatoes, especially if they have green spots. If a dog eats too much solanine, it can lead to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and even weakness. But don’t panic if your dog gets a small bite of raw potato—it would take a larger amount to cause serious harm. Still, it’s best to avoid giving your dog raw potatoes altogether.

Just like raw potatoes, raw potato skins can be dangerous for dogs due to their solanine content. The potato skins tend to have more solanine, especially if the potato has been exposed to light, turned green, or if it’s sprouting!

Can dogs eat French fries, and why are fried potatoes the worst option for dogs

While it’s not the end of the world if your dog sneaks a French fry or two, they’re really not a good option for dogs. French fries are loaded with fat, salt, and sometimes even seasonings or oils that can cause digestive upset. Here’s a breakdown of why you should never give your dog fried potatoes, like French fries:

High in unhealthy fats: French fries are fried in oil, which adds a lot of unnecessary fat to your dog’s diet.

Too much salt: Fries are always super salty! Dogs don’t need extra salt in their diet, and too much can lead to dehydration, excessive thirst, and, in more severe cases, sodium poisoning.

Empty calories: French fries are empty calories for dogs. While potatoes have nutritional benefits, frying them strips away most of the good stuff, leaving behind a calorie-dense, unhealthy snack.

So, stick to baked, boiled, or even steamed potatoes without any seasoning. Your dog will still get the health benefits from the potatoes without the unhealthy fats and additives.

Should dogs with diabetes or pancreatitis eat potatoes?

This is the question for your vet. Dogs with diabetes or pancreatitis need special diets, so your vet will tell you more about their foods and meals.

Maybe potatoes are not the best choice for dogs with these issues. Potatoes are high in carbs, and all carbs cause blood sugar spikes. This can be problematic for diabetic dogs, but then again, it doesn’t have to mean anything. The best thing to do is to consult your vet about starchy foods and see if you can share potatoes with your dog.

For dogs with pancreatitis, potatoes can also be tricky. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas often caused by high-fat diets. But potatoes are not high in fat, so they can be okay for dogs in these cases. That’s true unless you add a lot of butter or oil, which can make symptoms worse.

But I don’t see a problem with sharing plain cooked or baked potato with your dog if that’s their thing. Just make sure to follow your vet’s guidance in treating pancreatitis, and you’re all good.

Are potato-based dishes like potato salad and potato soup safe for dogs?

Now, this is the big question, especially around the holidays when we tend to share food, and our dogs end up overeating (just like us). It can be tough for dogs to handle all the Thanksgiving food and Christmas dishes, so it’s good to know what foods we can safely share. The good news for them is, they don’t have to worry about squeezing into post-holiday jeans! But if they pack on the pounds, guess who’s going to be exercising with them? Yep, you are!

Potato-based dishes like potato salad, potato soup, and hashbrowns aren’t toxic or harmful to dogs, but they are not recommended, mainly because of the added ingredients. We’re talking about onions, extra salt, extra fat, mayo, and other heavy creams, butter, and oils that absolutely do not belong in your dog’s diet.

Potato salad

Dogs shouldn’t eat potato salad as it usually contains mayonnaise and onions, both of which are bad for dogs. Traditional potato salad also has mustard, which, contrary to popular belief, isn’t toxic to dogs, but it is acidic and can upset their stomach. Then there’s bacon, which dogs naturally love, but it’s fatty and salty and will likely cause stomach upset, especially when combined with mayo.

Potato soup

Most potato soups are made with butter and heavy cream that are high in both calories and fat. Plus, there are added cheese and bacon toppings, so the combination will be too rich for dogs to handle and cause stomach issues. Skip the potato soup, please!

Hashbrowns

I’ve written about why hashbrowns are a poor choice for dogs. They are typically fried in oil and seasoned with salt and sometimes herbs and spices that can irritate dogs. This all makes them unhealthy and difficult for dogs to digest. They are also high in fat and can make your dog fat.

Potato skins

Dogs shouldn’t eat potato skins! They are traditionally made with toppings that are not good for dogs. To make the potato skins, first, you need to cook or bake potato halves, scoop most of the potato, and fill the skins with cheese, bacon, butter, and sour cream.

All of these ingredients are not toxic or harmful, but together, they are a fat bomb that’s really harsh on your dog’s stomach. Sour cream is safe for dogs but not recommended. Bacon and cheese are both tasty and very popular among dogs, but they are high in fat. So, this dish is really not okay to share.

As I said at the beginning, most of our potato-based dishes are horrible for dogs, and honestly for us as well, as we use too much fat and salt. So, stick to plain cooked potatoes as the best option.

Types of potatoes and how good they are for dogs

There are several types of potatoes, and while most of them are safe for dogs when cooked, each variety offers different nutritional benefits. Let’s break down some common types of potatoes and see how they stack up for your dog.

Red potatoes are nutritious for dogs when prepared correctly. The thin skins are packed with nutrients, so you can leave them on when you cook them. If you’re wondering whether dogs can eat red potatoes, the answer is yes, but stick to boiled or baked versions without any seasonings. The fiber in red potatoes helps with digestion, and the vitamin C gives a nice boost to their immune system.

Russet potatoes are bigger and starchier than other varieties. Dogs can eat russet potatoes, but moderation is key because of their higher starch content, which could lead to weight gain if you overdo it. They’re also a good source of potassium, which is great for muscle and nerve function. Just remember to cook them plain, without oil or seasoning, to keep them safe for your dog.

White potatoes are similar to russets nutritionally, but they tend to be lower in calories. They’ve got vitamin C, B6, and potassium, all of which support your dog’s overall health. Dogs can safely eat white potatoes as long as they’re cooked and served plain.

No matter which type of potato you’re serving, it’s important to always cook them properly—boiled or baked—and serve them plain without added salt, butter, or seasonings. Like cooked pumpkin, the best food for dogs with upset stomachs, potatoes can also help with digestion, but again, only in moderation. So you can choose any type that you usually eat and prepare a small amount for your dog!

Love, life, and fur forever!

FAQs

Can dogs eat potato peels?

No, dogs can’t eat potato peels. Raw potato peels contain solanine, which can be harmful to dogs, so keep the trash away from them!

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes with gravy?

Mashed potatoes with gravy are a horrible combination for dogs. The butter, cream, and gravy are full of fat and salt, which can cause digestive problems or lead to weight gain. If you want to share mashed potatoes with your dog, stick to plain ones without the extras.

Can dogs eat canned potatoes?

Canned potatoes often have preservatives, salt, or other additives that aren’t great for dogs. While nothing bad will happen if your dog eats some, it’s not the best idea to share canned potatoes with your dog. Plain, cooked potatoes are still the best option, as you can control the sodium.