Like many fruits and vegetables, potatoes contain essential nutrients that your dogs need to eat in order to maintain a healthy and happy life. However, the high-calorie content in potatoes makes them bad for dogs to eat as it can lead to undesired weight gain. Therefore, you should only give your dogs potatoes in moderation.
Potatoes aren’t healthy for your dogs in all forms. It really depends on how the potatoes are prepared. Ideally, you should serve your dogs mashed or baked potatoes without any additional toppings or seasonings since the added butter, garlic, salt, or bacon can be unhealthy for them. Never give your dog raw potatoes and also avoid French fries or potato chips since they have a ton of added calories. To answer all your questions, we have created a comprehensive guide on whether it’s safe for dogs to eat potatoes.
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Are Potatoes Safe For Dogs To Eat?
Yes, potatoes are loaded with nutrients and healthy for us to eat in moderation, but this is not the case for dogs. Potatoes belong to the nightshade family, and this is a family of plants that can pose risks to dogs when eaten raw or not fully ripened. Plants in this family contain solanine, which can be toxic to dogs.
However, this does not mean that you can’t give your dog potatoes at all. It is just important to make sure that they are fully ripe, and that they are completely cooked. Do not put butter and salt on them. Dogs don’t need the added salt, fat, and calories, and they aren’t going to miss the flavor. They will enjoy the potatoes as they are.
Potatoes and sweet potatoes are also good sources of carbohydrates and can often be found in a lot of dog foods. Although they are both listed, sweet potatoes are better for dogs. Many vets even encourage people to give baked or boiled sweet potatoes to their dogs regularly.
Health Benefits of Potatoes For Dogs
Potatoes, particularly sweet potatoes, are high in vitamins A, B, and C, and they are loaded with iron, which dogs need for healthy growth. Sweet potatoes are also loaded with antioxidants, and oddly enough, they don’t have as much sugar as white potatoes, even though they are called “sweet” potatoes. You can make your own dog food at home using a blend of white and sweet potatoes, along with unseasoned meat and other vegetables.
Just be sure not to give your dog too much potato or sweet potato. It can lead to obesity, as well as health issues such as diabetes and pancreatitis. Also, potatoes are high in sugar, so make sure that your dog only gets a little bit, as too much sugar can lead to digestive issues.
How Much Potato Can Dogs Eat?
The amount of potato you can feed your dog depends on a couple of factors: the size of your dog, and how much sugar is already in his diet. If your dog doesn’t have a lot of sugar in his diet, it should be okay to give him ½ cup or so mixed in with meals, two to three times per week.
Yes, Dogs Can Eat Potatoes in Moderation
Dogs should not have a diet that consists solely of vegetables but adding some to their meals can have very strong positive effects on their overall health. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are excellent sources of many important nutrients, and dogs love the way they taste. Like anything else, just be sure to give your dog potatoes in moderation.