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Can Dogs Eat Potatoes? Can Dogs Eat Potato Skins?

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes
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Can Dogs Eat Potatoes? It actually depends on various factors and the answer is Yes in short. Potatoes contain many nutrients that your dog needs such as magnesium, iron,  vitamin B6, and vitamin C.

The principal factor is whether they are cooked properly and the right quantity is fed or not.

Are Potatoes Safe For Dogs? - Infographics

Infographics

 

Can Dogs Eat potatoes Infographic

Are Potatoes Good For Dogs?

A dog does not need carbohydrates, but for dog foods or kibble, it is one of the necessary ingredients. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are rich in carbohydrates so most dog foods include these ingredients.

As a nutritional treat, you can feed a small portion of sweet potato baked or boiled. Sweet potatoes are rich in lower glycemic index and antioxidants, but they don’t contain a large amount of sugar so, it will not affect your dog’s sugar level.

Can Dogs Eat Potato Skin?

No, potato skins for that matter are extremely unsafe to your dog.

Why Potato Skins Are Dangerous For Your Dogs?

  1. Potato skins or peels contain oxalates. These oxalates are compounds that are severely unsafe to your dog.
  2. Oxalates can affect your dog’s –
  • Nervous system
  • Urinary tract
  • Kidneys
  • Digestive systems
  1. Green potatoes also look completely unsafe for dogs because they too contain oxalates.
  2. Raw potatoes are canine hazards.

Side-effects of Potato Skin Toxicity

Potato skin toxicity in dogs:

  • Seizures
  • Tremors
  • Fatigue
  • Depression
  • Throwing up
  • Runny and loose stools
  • Arrhythmia

Take your dog to a vet for a precautionary checkup.

Green parts of potatoes consist of solanine (a toxic compound) and when your dog eats too much of this it could result from –

  • Change in behavior
  • Severe sleepiness
  • Widened pupils
  • Throwing up
  • Feebleness
  • Diarrhea
  • Reduced appetite
  • Central nervous system
  • Disorientation

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Potato Skins?

Yes, plain potato cooked and served in small quantities are best. You can also feed your dog with a small portion of peeled tuber but cooked potatoes are always preferred.

Possible food toxicity to dogs is almost infinite and it’s really important to stop feeding your canine new items without consulting your vet.

Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes?

Yes, mashed potatoes are actually good for your dog. Seasonings of any kind must be totally avoided.

Potatoes are mostly rich in magnesium, iron, vitamin B6, vitamin C. These minerals and vitamins strengthen your dog’s absorption, nervous system,  and immune system.

For dogs suffering from diabetes, eating potatoes can raise their blood sugar level.

Serving Tips:

You can feed mashed potatoes-

  • Like a food topping
  • Included in a home-based meal
  • Unseasoned mashed potatoes without any onion, garlic, and salt because garlic and onion powder are dangerous to dogs.
  • Dogs can become dehydrated if they consume too much salt.

Keep an Eye on Dairy Products!

Avoid feeding mashed potatoes if it includes sour cream, milk, or butter.

1. Prepare mashed potatoes at home without adding any dairy or seasoning.

2. Dairy products such as sour cream, butter, and milk are toxic to dogs. Dogs suffering from lactose intolerance may show signs of –

  • Skin problems
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloating
  • Digestive discomfort

3. Sour cream and butter also consist of large amounts of fat. Excessive intake of fat causes heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other health issues in dogs.

4. Never feed dairy products without consulting your vet at any cost.

Can Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes?

No, you should stop feeding raw potatoes to your dog.

Why Dogs Should Not Eat Raw Potatoes?

  • White potatoes also come from the nightshade family which includes the likes of tomatoes.
  • Raw potatoes like tomatoes consist of solanine that is highly toxic to dogs.
  • A cooked potato contains lower levels of solanine concentration.
  • If you decide to feed your dog with a potato, it’s safe to feed them with boiled or baked potatoes.
  • A dog’s body can eat take only small amounts of potatoes.

Can Dogs Eat Potato Chips?

No, dogs should avoid eating junk foods like potato chips or Pringles chips. If chips are not good for us, then what about our four-legged companions?

Foods human consume in moderation are totally restricted to dogs.

  • Most flavors won’t cause much of a concern as long as your eats only one or two chips.
  • Potato chips offer dogs zero nutritional value. They contain plenty of trans-fat and some chips contain high amounts of sugar.
  • A high-fat diet can lead to pancreatitis, diabetes, heart problems, and obesity in dogs.
  • Potato chips contain a high level of salt and salt has the capacity to damage your dog’s arteries and heart. Salt can also cause sodium ion poisoning.

Signs of Sodium Toxicity in Dogs

Some of the signs of sodium toxicity in dogs include-

  • Seizures
  • Laziness
  • Vomiting
  • Dehydration
  • Diarrhea

These signs can manifest shortly after your dog eats potato chips and a vet can only give a proper diagnosis.

How to Stop My Dog From Eating Potato Chips?

The biggest worry you should get if your doggie consumes chips is nothing but salt poisoning.

As per reports, an adult dog weighing around 33 lbs can consume 14 g and 200 mg of fat and salt respectively on a daily basis.

Keep in mind that 15 slices of potato chips consist of 10 g and 170 mg of fat and sodium respectively.

Can Dogs Eat French Fries?

No, dogs do not need French fries to remain healthy. Salty, tasty, and greasy is how we humans want to eat our French fries.

If you decide to feed your dog with fried potatoes with extra salt and oil, then that could seriously harm your pets.

Can Dogs Really Eat French Fries and Get Away With It?

The most important lesson is that you should avoid feeding your dog human foods. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and French fries consist of rich amounts of fat and salt for your dog companion.

While eating a fry or two won’t cause much harm but feeding your dog larger amounts of French fries can cause severe gastroenteritis.

The signs of French fries toxicity may include-

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Bloating
  • Abdomen pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pancreatitis

Can French Fries Lead to Weight Gain in Dogs?

  • High-fat calorie-rich foods like French fries may lead to obesity in dogs. Diabetes also cannot be ruled out in the future.
  • Eating these foods on regular a basis can cause stomach ache in dogs.
  • Foods like French fries can prolong the process of emptying your dog’s stomach leading to bloating.
  • Based on your dog’s genetic trait, breed, and size, even a small amount of fat-rich food can cause digestion problems.

Can Dogs Consume French fries along with sauces or ketchup?

Seasonings and condiments are strictly a no-no mainly due to the presence of sodium.

Your dog requires just a very small quantity of sodium per day and one spoon of ketchup contains 154 milligrams.

These yummy toppings can cause irritation to your dog’s nasal and mouth membranes.

Barbecue sauce sold at eateries contains garlic and sugar that are toxic to dogs in general.

Finally,

French fries do not contain anything healthy that your dog actually requires. They only contain salt, oil, and potatoes.

Feeding your dog one or two French fries is not bad but better to remain wise and completely avoid them totally.

How To Feed Potatoes To Your Dogs?

  • Stop feeding raw potatoes. Raw potatoes also contain traces of solanine like tomatoes which is toxic to any dog.
  • Feed your dogs only with boiled or baked potatoes and not with any kind of salted, butter-coated potatoes, and fried items like potato chips or French fries.
  • A dog’s body can take only limited amounts of carbohydrates and excess intake might lead to obesity and lifestyle-related
  • Diabetic dogs should not be fed with potatoes since they increase the blood sugar level.
  • Sweet potatoes are a better choice than white potatoes since they contain iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin A among other nutrients.

Overall, as long as potatoes are baked or boiled, they can be fed to your dogs in moderation. Start with a small portion of potatoes, and see how their bodies react.

Dog Potato Poisoning

Potatoes are healthy for humans but it is better if you stop feeding potato skins and raw potatoes because they produce toxic chemicals such as solanine.

What To Do? – My Dog Ate Potato

It will not be a problem when your dog ate a small quantity of potatoes. If it is large, then it will cause diarrhea and vomiting. To avoid dehydration, feed your dog with plenty of clean water. If you notice unmanageable signs, call a veterinarian.

What is solanine poisoning in dogs?

Solanine refers to a cholinesterase inhibitor that somehow stops the progress of a neurotransmitter such as acetylcholine.

This poisoning causes the nervous system to function at half the capacity and also damages the liver.

Green potato poisoning happens when a canine eats too much solanine present in the potato skins, raw potatoes, and foliage.

Solanine poisoning leads to gastrointestinal upset, difficulty in breathing, and heart problems. Potato skins and raw potato consists of chaconine compound that is also toxic to dogs in general.

Signs of Green Potato Toxicity In Dogs

Signs may vary based on the quantity of chaconine and solanine in potato skins and potatoes your dog actually ate. The signs will be light unless your dog is a teacup breed, sick, or if an excessive quantity of potatoes is consumed.

Signs of potato(green) toxicity to dogs include-

  • Weakness
  • Vomiting
  • Vision troubles
  • Trembling
  • Swelling of lips or tongues
  • Slowed breathing
  • Slow pulse
  • Shock
  • Seizures
  • Progressive paralysis
  • Burning sensation and numbness of the lips, mouth, and tongue
  • Dizziness
  • Dilated pupils

Causes of Potato Toxicity In Dogs

The solanine chemical can cause problems to the intestinal tract, nervous system, and lead to cell membrane damage.

Solanine chemical is ideally present in-

  • Potato sprouts
  • Raw potato skins
  • Potato foliage
  • Green potatoes

 Diagnosis or Detection of Potato Toxicity In Dogs

Narrate your dog’s entire history to your vet. Your vet will carry out a thorough checkup which will include breathing rate, blood pressure, reflexes, pulse, height, weight, and temperature.

Treatment of Potato Toxicity In Dogs

The treatment of potato toxicity to dogs include-

  • Administering apomorphine to induce immediate vomiting
  • Activated charcoal can absorb any leftover toxins in your dog’s stomach
  • Oxygen therapy and IV fluids will be given depending on the condition
  • Pilocarpine and physostigmine can also be given by the vet

Recovery of Potato Toxicity In Dogs

The speed of recovery actually depends on your dog’s solanine absorption, calm and kind support at home along with proper medical care.

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