Dog Tips

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?

Varieties of potatoes abound, and so do the methods of preparation. You can fry them, bake them, mash them, or turn them into French fries, hash browns, or tater tots. These are only a few of the methods for cooking potatoes.

Many of us enjoy potatoes with our meals on an almost daily basis. Does your fur baby give you his best puppy dog eyes while watching you eat? That can lead you to wonder, “Can dogs have potatoes?” Let’s learn if potatoes are food we can share with our furry friends.

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?

Potatoes are part of the nightshade family which has something called solanine in them. Because of that, you can give your dog potatoes, but don’t give them raw potatoes. You should also keep them away from the potato plants.

Can Dogs Have Potato Skins?

Dogs can have a little potato skin, but potatoes without skin are better. The oxalates in the skin can cause kidney problems. Of course, your dog would have to eat a lot of skins for that to happen unless he already has kidney issues.

Should Potatoes Be Raw or Cooked If I Give Them to My Dog?

Never give your dog raw potatoes. The solanine in them can be highly toxic for dogs. Cooking potatoes helps to reduce the solanine levels. Stick to baked, boiled, or steamed potatoes when feeding them to your pup.

Potatoes like fries, potato chips, or those made with butter, salt, and other seasonings, like mashed potatoes often are, should not be offered to your pet. Pay attention to the skin on any potatoes you want to feed your dog. A potato with green skin has excessive amounts of solanine, and you should not give it to your dog. Mashed potatoes that are made without seasonings can be given to your dogs. Avoid salt, garlic, onion, or other seasonings in your potatoes. Small amounts of baked potato are also a good treat for your fur baby. Just remove the skin, and make sure you give thoroughly cooked bite-sized pieces.

Is It Safe to Give My Dog Potatoes?

Here is the tricky part of the can dogs have potatoes question. The answer to whether potatoes are safe is yes and no. Just like in humans, too many carbohydrates can make dogs gain weight. Also, believe it or not, dogs can develop diabetes; if they have diabetes, they should avoid potatoes.

As with many other vegetables or traditionally human foods, potatoes should only be consumed in small amounts and occasionally. Raw potatoes, parts of the potato plant, and the skins should be avoided. All of these parts have solanine and oxalates that are unhealthy for dogs.

What About These Different Fruits & Vegetables? Can Dogs Have Them?

  • Asparagus: Asparagus is a no for your dog. Raw is too hard to chew and cooking it enough for it to be palatable to your pup makes it have no nutrients left.

  • Bell pepper: These naturally protect the immune system because they have three times Vitamin C than oranges. You just need to avoid spicy peppers because they can cause indigestion.

  • Broccoli: Potassium, vitamin K, and Vitamin C are in broccoli which help to improve heart health.

  • Carrots: These are safe for dogs and contain vitamins A, K, B6, biotin, and potassium.

  • Cauliflower: This is a cruciferous vegetable that can cause gas. You can give small amounts of lightly steamed cauliflower to your pets.

  • Lettuce: Cut lettuce into small pieces before offering it to your pet. It does help promote hydration because of the high water content.

  • Onions: Aromatics like onions and garlic are toxic for dogs. They can cause iron levels to deplete and hurt the dog’s kidneys.

  • Cucumbers: These veggies have antioxidants and offer anti-inflammatory benefits for your dog.

  • Pickles: While these are okay for your dog, the vinegar and salt in the pickling compound can be harmful, so it’s best to either avoid them or only give them in moderation.

  • Celery: Antioxidants in the form of vitamins A and C can help keep your dog acting healthy and young.

  • Can Dogs Eat These Fruits?

  • Bananas: Monkeys can eat bananas, and so can your dog. They are full of fiber, biotin, and potassium but also high in sugar, so they should be an occasional treat.

  • Blueberry: Antioxidants in blueberries help to prevent cell damage, and these berries are great treats for your dogs.

  • Orange: Don’t give the peel or the seeds, but you can provide orange pieces. Some dogs might not like the smell or taste, so be aware of that.

  • Melon: Remove all the seeds and rinds from melons before sharing them with your dog, but they are okay in moderation.

  • Pumpkin: Only give your dog pure pumpkin with the seeds and strings removed. Avoid giving them any pumpkin that has been seasoned, such as pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin is good for digestion and can help their coat look better.

  • Apple: Older dogs, in particular, can benefit from you sharing your apple with them. Apples are wonderful sources of Vitamins A and C as well as fiber.

  • Kiwi: This fruit has more potassium than a banana and more vitamin C than an orange, so feel free to share them with your pet in moderation.

  • Dates: Too many dates can lead to an obese dog, so only give them occasionally.

  • Cherry: Dogs do not need cherries! The seeds are poisonous to dogs and humans because they contain cyanide.

  • Cantaloupe: An occasional snack of cantaloupe is okay, but it has a high sugar content and is a good source of fiber.

  • Papaya: Avoid giving your dog the seeds of papaya because they contain cyanide. However, you can offer bite-sized chunks of the fruit occasionally.

  • Sweet Potatoes: Features a high amount of fiber, which is great for promoting gut health in your pooch.

For your benefit, we have compiled a list of all the fruits & vegetables a dog should and should not eat so that your dog is always safe!

Can Dogs Have Seafood?

  • Canned tuna: Occasionally, you might want to give tuna to your dog as a treat. Ensure that you only choose tuna packed in water, though.

  • Salmon: Full of Omega 3s, salmon, is suitable for your dog’s immunity levels, and your pup will likely enjoy the flavor.

  • Seaweed: Don’t allow your dog to eat raw seaweed on the beach, but you can give them seaweed snacks as long as there is no garlic, onion, or other toxic seasonings in the snacks.

  • Shrimp: High cholesterol levels make shrimp an occasional snack only.

  • Crab: Dogs can typically have crab meat in small amounts, but you should be aware that there is a potential for allergic reactions to crab.

  • Lobster: Simple preparation is the key to adding lobster to your dog’s diet. You should consult your veterinarian to be sure your dog doesn’t have issues that keep it from eating lobster.

Always ensure that seafood is thoroughly cooked before feeding it to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Beans?

Beans can be great sources of dietary fibers and proteins which are necessary for a dog’s health.

  • Green beans: These beans are full of fiber but low in calories. They have iron, calcium, and Vitamins A, B6, C, and K. They are a good choice for your dog.

  • Black beans: Only give them in moderation, as they can be gas-inducing.

  • Lima beans: Nutritionally sound and a good source of potassium, magnesium, and folate, but they can cause your dog to have gas.

  • Pinto beans: Like black beans, these should only be given in moderation. These beans are full of protein and other nutrients but can cause gas.

  • Garbanzo beans: Great sources of fiber and protein as long as you stick with unseasoned varieties to best avoid accidental toxins.

Can Dogs Have Dry Fruit and Nuts?

There are many fruits that dogs can eat:

  • Almonds: It’s best to avoid almonds because dogs can’t digest them easily.

  • Cashews: Usually, cashews are safe for your canine friends, but you might want to check with your vet.

  • Pistachios: These nuts help with brain function and growth and provide an excellent source of B6.

  • Raisins: Keep raisins and grapes away from your dog because they can cause kidney damage.

Closing Thoughts

Many of us like to feed our dogs from the table or make food for them rather than providing them kibble. When those sweet puppy dog eyes look up at us, it’s difficult to say no. When you’re eating potatoes, you can share them if they’ve been cooked without seasoning, and there’s a plethora of other fruits and vegetables you can share with your pet.

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