Can dogs eat 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 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.

So yes, dogs can eat potatoes, and the answer to the question can I give my dog potatoes, is, once again, yes. They may not be as nutrient-rich as some vegetables, but they can still make a valuable contribution to your dog’s overall diet.

How to feed your dog potatoes

Importantly, 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!

While we’re on the subject of vegetables for dogs, if you’re looking for a simple way to add vegetables to your dog’s diet, why not try my new dog food topper. It’s a simple and cost effective way to add carrots, broccoli and other vegetables to your dog’s diet. Simply pour, rehydrate with a little hot water, and serve!