Potatoes for Dogs: A Complete Guide
Arguably Peru’s most famous export after Paddington Bear, the potato is by some measure the world’s most popular root vegetable.
After Spanish explorers brought the potato from South America to Europe in the 16th century, it gradually became a staple crop for working-class humans. As history tells us, whatever has been a staple for human beings over the course of the last 35,000 years, has also been a staple for their dogs — legumes in Central and South America, rice in Southeast Asia and the humble potato in Northern and Eastern Europe from the 18th century onwards. Largely superseded by sweet potatoes in the modern homemade canine diet, white potatoes still deserve a place in your dog’s food bowl.
Can dogs eat potatoes?
Yes, dogs can safely eat potatoes says our in-house dog nutritionist. They must be fully cooked though and have any sprouting eyes removes first. Raw or green potatoes are toxic to dogs because they contain solanine, a compound that can damage their nervous and digestive systems. I also recommend washing rather than peeling your dog’s potatoes because most of their nutrients are close to the surface.
Health benefits of potatoes for dogs
Potatoes provide dogs with a highly digestible source of complex carbohydrates, essential vitamins and minerals that support energy levels, immune function and digestive health.
Key nutritional benefits
- Sustained energy: the complex carbohydrates in cooked potatoes provide active dogs with a slow-release energy source to maintain stamina.
- Digestive support: potatoes contain dietary fibre that regulates the gut microbiome, improves stool consistency and helps resolve mild constipation.
- Immune & skin health: potatoes are rich in vitamin C which helps fight ageing and vitamin B6 which supports nervous system and metabolic functions.
- Muscle & heart function: potatoes contain potassium and magnesium, essential minerals that aid heart performance, muscle contraction and nutrient absorption.
- Hypoallergenic alternative: for dogs with sensitivities or allergies to grains like wheat or corn, plain potato serves as an excellent alternative carbohydrate source.
White potatoes vs sweet potatoes
While both are safe when cooked, sweet potatoes are generally considered a healthier option.
How much potato can dogs eat?
Follow the 10 percent rule of homemade dog food. Individual ingredients such as potatoes should not make up more than 10 percent of your dog’s overall caloric intake.
Other dog-safe vegetables
- Broccoli. Nutrient-dense canine superfood.
- Sweet potatoes
- Carrots
- Green beans. Low calorie, high fibre, vitamin rich.
- Leafy greens
- Parsnips
- Celery
- Beetroot
See the full range of dog-safe vegetables here.
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How to feed a dog potatoes
Ask my dog nutritionist the question, can dogs eat potatoes, and he’ll no doubt start by telling you potatoes were the staple food of the Incas. Then he’ll go on to tell you that if the Incas ate potatoes, their dogs ate potatoes. Why? Because the Incas and their dogs ate the same food. Because the Incas loved their dogs. And because since the beginning of the First Agricultural Revolution, man and dog have shared the same diet. It’s one of the things that cemented the bond between us. Our ability to enjoy and benefit from the same foodstuffs.
Importantly though, you must cook your dog’s potatoes and they must never be green. Green potatoes are toxic to dogs because of the presence of solanine!
That aside, dogs can eat potatoes baked, steamed or boiled and mashed. I generally add them to one of my homemade dog food recipes along with the other ingredients so that everything cooks together. They are best cooked with their skins on. Potato skins contain so many lovely nutrients it seems a shame to waste them!
Here are four creative, dog-safe ways to incorporate potatoes into your dog’s diet:
1. Silky Potato & Turkey Comfort Mash
When boiled for a long time, plain white potato mashes into a smooth, starchy paste that is exceptionally gentle on a dog’s stomach lining and acts as an excellent, easily digestible energy source.
- Chop a potato into cubes and boil until mashable. Mash it thoroughly with a fork using a few tablespoons of bone broth.
- Let it cool to a warm temperature then ladle a spoonful directly over your dog’s food. It coats the food in a rich, comforting texture that encourages senior dogs or fussy eaters to finish their food.
2. Frozen Potato & Yogurt Snowballs
Because mashed potato holds its structural shape well when chilled, it serves as a fantastic filling base for creating simple, dual-textured frozen treats.
- Mix 4 tablespoons of cooked and cooled mashed potato with 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt until it forms a uniform dough.
- Roll the mixture into tiny, marble-sized balls or press them flat into a silicone mould. Freeze for 3 hours. Pop them out as a refreshing summer snack that delivers clean carbohydrates and gut-healthy probiotics simultaneously.
3. Sticky Potato Boredom Buster
The thick, sticky consistency of mashed potato takes a dog a long time to lick out of a puzzle toy, making it an ideal ingredient for extended mental stimulation.
- Take a tablespoon of mashed potato and mix it with a tiny pinch of ground ginger which is excellent for soothing wind or mild motion sickness.
- Use a spoon to pack the sticky mixture firmly into the internal walls of a rubber enrichment toy like a Kong. Freeze the toy for 2 hours before giving it to your dog to help keep it mentally stimulated and calm during stressful events like fireworks.
4. Two-Ingredient Grain-Free Potato Pancakes
You can use mashed potato as a grain-free binding base to pan-fry soft morning treats that can be easily pinched into non-crumbling training treats.
- Whisk one medium chicken egg in a bowl. Fold in 4 tablespoons of cooled mashed potato until it forms a workable batter.
- Drop small tablespoons of the batter into a warm, non-stick frying pan with a tiny drop of coconut oil. Cook for 2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Allow them to cool completely before slicing into bite-sized training treats.
White potatoes have a very high glycaemic index, meaning they cause a rapid spike in blood sugar. If your dog is sedentary, managing canine obesity or has been diagnosed with diabetes, you should avoid white potatoes entirely and opt for low-calorie alternatives like cucumbers or green beans.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Can dogs eat potatoes?
A. Yes, dogs can eat potatoes providing they are cooked first.
Q. Can dogs eat raw potatoes?
A. No. Raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound toxic to dogs. Cooking destroys solanine, making the potato safe.
Q. Can dogs eat potato skins?
A. Yes they can. Most of the nutrients are close to the surface. Do not peel your dog’s potatoes and waste all those lovely nutrients.
Q. Can dogs eat green potatoes?
A. No. Green skin indicates high solanine levels. Cut out any green parts completely.
Q. Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
A. Yes they can.
Q. Can dogs eat French fries or potato chips?
A. No, ideally not.
Q. Are sweet potatoes better than white potatoes?
A. Yes. Sweet potatoes have more vitamins and fibre.
Q. How much potato can my dog eat?
A. Potatoes should make up no more than 10% of daily calories.
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