For centuries, potatoes have been a staple of the human diet, with no shortage of preparations designed to make them delicious: fried, mashed, boiled, the list goes on and on.
But is it safe and healthy for you to feed your dog potatoes? For many owners it seems like an appealing option: potatoes are abundant, inexpensive, and (depending on the preparation) healthy.
So if you’re wondering if dogs can have potatoes, here’s what you need to know.
Can Dogs Have Potatoes?
It depends on the potato. You see, raw potatoes and potato skin are bad for dogs, while cooked potatoes are safe. However, you can only give your dog cooked potatoes without any seasoning and served in small portions only.
Raw potatoes contain solanine, a chemical that’s toxic to dogs. This can also be found in other produce, like tomatoes and ground cherries. Potato skis are bad news too because they contain oxalate which can make dogs sick when consumed.
Some cooked potatoes should be avoided as well, depending on how they’re prepared.
How To Serve Potatoes
If you’re a big fan of potatoes and you want to share your love of them with your dog, the best way to serve them is baked or boiled, with nothing else added to it. No skin, no butter, no salt, no pepper. It might sound downright plain to you, but it’s the healthiest option for your dog.
It’s important to remember that you can only give a small serving of potatoes to your dog. Eating too much of it will make them sick, or worse, it’ll make them fat and overweight!
But just because you can only feed your dog plain potatoes doesn’t mean it has to be boring!
You can make it more exciting for your dog by mixing it with their favorite snacks! You can mix potatoes with other veggies like carrots, cauliflower, or celery.
Another way to do it is to combine it with a good source of protein like meat. Pick the meat that your dog loves the most and mix it with mashed potatoes.
When feeding potatoes, you can play around with a recipe that your dog will enjoy. Just remember that potatoes should only make up a small percentage of your dog’s diet.
Benefits of Eating Potatoes
When prepared the right way, potatoes have nutrients that benefit dogs the same way they benefit people. Here are some of the vitamins and minerals that are present in potatoes:
Magnesium
It’s a mineral that aids in muscle regeneration, organ health, and contributes to the overall mental and emotional well-being of dogs. If you have dogs that get anxious frequently, magnesium can help calm them down.
Iron
It’s another mineral but this time it’s responsible for bringing oxygen and nutrients throughout the system so that your dog has the energy it needs for its day-to-day activities.
Vitamin C
This vitamin acts as an antioxidant that gets rid of bad free radicals in your dog’s system and boosts their immune system.
Vitamin B6
This vitamin’s role is to make sure the nervous system and red blood cells are functioning well. It’s also responsible for glucose generation and hormone regulation.
Zinc
This mineral works hand in hand with Vitamin C to improve the immune system. Zinc acts as an armor that can prevent your dog from getting sick.
Weight Problems
While it has its benefits, there are things you should watch out for when feeding potatoes. Because potatoes are mainly composed of carbohydrates, having too much of it will lead to health problems. A dog’s diet is mainly composed of protein and not carbs. So even if dogs can eat potatoes, it shouldn’t be on the top of your grocery list. Here are some of the dangers of feeding your dog too many potatoes:
Weight Problems
Because a dog’s body doesn’t require carbs, too many potatoes can lead to obesity. A dog’s body is built to digest carbs effectively, causing an increase in weight. This can be a major concern for breeds that are prone to obesity. It’s also a watch out for dogs that have longer backbones like Dachshunds, Corgis, and other breeds. The excess weight can cause spine, hip, and joint problems.
Blood Sugar Spikes
The carbs in potatoes turn into sugar. This causes the blood sugar level of dogs to spike. This can lead to diabetes and other health problems. Diabetic dogs must stay away from potatoes and other starch at all times.
Digestive Problems
If your dog accidentally eats raw potatoes or potato skin, they might experience digestive problems. Watch out for the following symptoms :
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Lethargy
If you see any of these symptoms after they ingest raw potatoes, be sure to call or visit your vet immediately.
Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy
There’s new research that showed how eating pet foods containing lentils, peas, and other legume seeds, and potatoes as the main ingredient may lead to canine dilated cardiomyopathy. It’s a disease that decreases the heart’s pumping action and increases heart size. While only recently discovered, it’s best to stay on the safe side and be cautious with the number of potatoes you serve your pet dog.
Can I Feed My Dog Sweet Potatoes?
If you prefer not to give your dog potatoes, an alternative is to feed them sweet potatoes! Sweet potatoes are safe for dogs and are a better food option than potatoes. However, like potatoes, sweet potatoes are a source of carbohydrates too. This means that it should be served on the side and in moderation.
Benefits of Sweet Potato
Although sweet potatoes aren’t really potatoes, this root vegetable is more nutritious and is a healthier treat for dogs than potatoes. Here are a few benefits we get from eating sweet potatoes:
High in Fiber
It’s a fiber-rich food that supports healthy digestive functions for a regular bowel movement. This also increases the feeling of fullness which lessens unnecessary snacking or eating to help with weight loss or weight maintenance. If you have a dog who’s prone to obesity, this will surely help them maintain their weight and keep them from overeating.
Calcium
It’s well-known that calcium builds strong bones and this is especially important for breeds that have big and muscular bodies. A strong skeletal system is the foundation of a strong body. But aside from strong bones, calcium also supports healthy nails, teeth, and coats.
Vitamin A
This vitamin is also abundant in sweet potatoes. It helps improves your dog’s vision for them to run and play without running into things. It also contributes to bone growth and skin health, working hand in hand with calcium.
Beta-Carotene
Sweet potatoes are loaded with this antioxidant and this is a big deal because it decreases the risk of getting certain types of cancer. It also defends against heart diseases. Another benefit of beta-carotene is that it allows the body to absorb more vitamin A.
The Final Word on Potatoes
Can dogs have potatoes? Yes as long as it’s boiled, mashed, steamed with no skin, and free from seasoning. The same goes for sweet potatoes. Between the two, sweet potatoes provide more health benefits and taste better too!
But at the end of the day, both potatoes and sweet potatoes should make up a small part of our diets. Should you decide to give your dog either or both, the important thing is to feed it in moderation and small amounts only.