- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
You’re enjoying your favorite mashed potatoes or crispy French fries with your dog waiting nearby, eyes wide, tail wagging, clearly hoping for a bite. Should you share?
Potatoes are a common ingredient in many commercial dog foods and treats, and they’re safe for dogs to eat—but dogs shouldn’t eat all forms of potato.
Dogs should only eat potatoes in moderation, and the potatoes should always be cooked and unseasoned, according to Dr. Bethany Hsia, veterinarian and co-founder of CodaPet.
Here’s what to keep in mind before offering your pup some of your spuds.
How To Safely Feed Your Dog Potatoes
If you want to give your dog some potato, here’s how to do it safely:
Make sure your dog is a good candidate
Potatoes have a high glycemic index, so they’re not a good food for dogs who are diabetic or overweight, says Dr. Antje Joslin, veterinarian consultant at Dogtopia.
If your dog has any health issues, check with your veterinarian before offering potatoes as a treat.
Dr. Hsia adds that even if your dog is healthy, it’s important to only offer potatoes as an occasional treat, not a daily staple. “A general guideline is that treats, including potatoes, should not make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake,” she explains.
Choose a safe type and form of potato
You can offer potatoes to your dog in the following forms, as long as the potatoes are plain and unseasoned:
- Boiled or steamed chunks: Peel the potato, cut it into bite-sized pieces, and boil or steam until soft. Let it cool completely before giving your dog a piece.
- Mashed potatoes: Boil peeled potato chunks until tender, then mash the chunks without adding any butter, milk, salt, or seasonings. Set aside a plain portion for your dog before seasoning the rest for yourself.
- Baked potato flesh: Bake the whole potato until soft. Let it cool completely and remove the skin before offering a piece to your dog.
Stick to small portions
When treating your dog to a piece of potato, follow these general serving suggestions:
- Toy dogs (12-20 pounds): 1 teaspoon daily
- Small dogs (21-30 pounds): 1-2 teaspoons daily
- Medium dogs (31-50 pounds): 2-3 teaspoons daily
- Large dogs (51-90 pounds): 1-2 tablespoons daily
- Giant (91+ pounds): 3-4 tablespoons daily
Always mash the potato or cut it into pieces appropriate for your dog’s size to reduce the risk of choking.
Watch for any signs of intolerance
If you’ve never given your dog potato before, pay attention for any signs of vomiting, gas, bloating, or diarrhea. These reactions suggest your dog doesn’t tolerate potatoes well.
If your dog appears unwell, contact your vet or an emergency vet for more guidance on what to dog next.
Health Risks of Potatoes for Dogs
While plain, cooked potatoes can be an occasional treat, dogs shouldn’t eat all types of potatoes.
Dr. Hsia says to avoid feeding your dog any of the following:
- Raw potatoes
- Green potatoes
- Fried potatoes
- Mashed potatoes with butter, garlic, onion, or milk
- Seasoned potatoes
- Potato chips
- French fries
- Potato skins
- Any preparation with garlic or onion (raw or dried)
These types of potatoes can lead to a range of health issues, including:
- Choking hazards: Large potato chunks or tough skins can get stuck in your dog’s throat, especially if your dog is a small breed or eats quickly.
- Solanine toxicity: Raw or green potatoes contain solanine, a natural toxin that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms, lethargy, weakness, and confusion. Solanine is concentrated mostly in the potato’s skin and just beneath it. While solanine rarely causes toxicity in dogs because they would need to eat a large amount in order to get sick, it’s still best to avoid giving dogs raw potatoes.
- Salt poisoning: Potatoes prepared with a lot of salt can cause increased thirst, dehydration, and, in severe cases, salt poisoning.
- Digestive upset: Rich or greasy potato preparations, like fried potatoes or mashed potatoes with butter, can trigger nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in some dogs, especially those with sensitive stomachs.
- Obesity: Fried potatoes or potatoes prepared with cream and butter have a lot of fat and calories, which can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of obesity-related health issues over time. Even plain potatoes can add too many calories to your dog’s diet if you give them potatoes too often or in large amounts.
Can potatoes cause DCM?
Some pet parents worry about a possible link between potatoes in dog food and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This concern stems from reports that grain-free dog foods, which often use potatoes or legumes as fillers, may be associated with DCM in certain dogs.
However, Dr. Joslin says the exact link between grain-free diets and DCM in dogs remains unknown. If your dog’s food has potatoes as one of the top ingredients and you have any concerns about DCM, Dr. Joslin suggests asking your vet for more information.
Giving your dog a small amount of plain potato occasionally as a treat won’t raise their risk of developing DCM.
What About Sweet Potatoes?
Dogs can eat sweet potatoes, as long as you fully cook the potatoes and serve them plain. Like regular potatoes, sweet potatoes are another common ingredient in many commercial dog foods and treats.
Dr. Joslin considers sweet potatoes healthier for dogs than white potatoes because they contain more fiber, have a lower glycemic index, and provide the added benefit of vitamin A.
That said, only offer sweet potatoes as an occasional treat, and only after your vet gives their approval.
