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Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?

It is not a secret that most dog owners love to share food with their dogs, but not all human foods are safe for dogs. If you are a dog owner, you may be wondering which human foods are safe for your dog and which may be harmful. We’ll say this now: anything with garlic is not good for your dog.

Well, there are many vegetables that your dog can eat, but it is important to use them moderately. Remember that most human foods should be served only as occasional treats to your dog.

In this article we will deal with potatoes. We will tell you if it is safe to feed your dog this starchy vegetable. You will also find out how many potatoes your dog can eat and how to introduce this food into your dog’s diet.

If you have a dog and if you want to feed your dog potatoes, read this article carefully. We are sure that you will find interesting and useful information. After reading this article, you can decide whether you will feed your dog potatoes or not. You can also do the same for lentils.

More about Potatoes

A potato is a member of the nightshade family. It is a starchy vegetable which is used in cuisines all over the world. A potato is considered one of the largest food crops in the world, including also wheat, maize and rice. There are more than 100 varieties of potatoes and they are different in size, color, flavor and shape.

Potatoes are a favorite vegetable of most people, regardless of whether they are baked, fried or mashed. Potatoes are available during the whole year and they can be prepared on many ways. Due to their mild starchy flavor, potatoes may be a great addition to other meals.

Potatoes are known for their high carbohydrate content, especially for their starch content. But, potatoes are also rich in vitamins and minerals, so their nutritional value is very high.

Also, potatoes are high in calories and they have a high glycemic index, so they are not recommended to people with diabetes and those who want to lose weight. Fried potatoes are the worst option for obese people because they are loaded with fats.

However, potatoes have many health benefits for people. They are high in antioxidants which fight against free radicals. This way, potatoes may reduce the risk of many diseases. It is proved that potatoes can lower high blood pressure and improve brain health. Due to their high content of vitamin B6, potatoes have essential role in producing new cells in our bodies.

Studies have shown that potatoes are good for cardiovascular health, but it is recommended to eat boiled potatoes. French fries should not be eaten too often because of their high fat content.

As you have seen, potatoes are healthy for people if they are eaten in moderation, but what about dogs? Can we share our favorite vegetable with our dogs? Just continue reading this article and you will find out.

Are Potatoes Safe for Dogs?

If your dog has already eaten a certain amount of potatoes, you don’t have to panic immediately. Nothing bad will happen to your dog. It is known that potatoes are generally safe for dogs. However, you should take in consideration some things before feeding your dog potatoes.

As we have already mentioned above, potatoes are a great source of vitamins and minerals which are necessary for your dog’s health. Due to their vitamin C content, potatoes will boost an immune system of your dog and they will prevent many diseases.

It is important to wash potatoes thoroughly before using them for your dog. Peel the potatoes and boil them until they become soft. If you decide to feed your dog potatoes, you should always choose cooked potatoes.

You should know that raw potatoes may contain solanine, a chemical that is toxic to dogs. Raw potatoes may be very dangerous for your dog, so you should avoid them. Because of that, it is necessary to boil or to bake potatoes before serving them to your dog. Only in this case potatoes will be beneficial for your dog.

When it comes to mashed potatoes, you have to be careful. You should never feed your dog mashed potatoes because they usually contain salt, milk, butter or cheese. Mashed potatoes may also contain added bacon bits. All these ingredients may have a bad impact on your dog’s digestive system, so we recommend you to avoid mashed potatoes.

There’s another thing you should know before feeding your dog potatoes. Although potatoes are healthy, there is something that you should be worried about. As you probably know, potatoes are a starchy vegetable so they have a high level of carbohydrates.

We all know that carbohydrates may lead to obesity, especially if they are eaten in large amounts. If your dog is active, he will burn excessive calories, so you don’t have to worry. But, if your dog is not very active, it may lead to weight gain and other health problems.

It is especially recommended for dogs to eat sweet potatoes. Studies have shown that sweet potatoes offer more nutrients than other types of potatoes.

How Many Potatoes Can Your Dog Eat?

You should have in mind that too many potatoes may be dangerous for your dog. Large amounts of potatoes may lead to weight gain, diabetes and other health issues.

If you are wondering how many potatoes your dog can eat, we can tell you that a potato or two are enough for your dog. It is recommended to feed your dog potatoes once or twice a week. Your dog will certainly enjoy this delicious snack.

Potatoes are healthy for your dog only if eaten in moderation. It is true that potatoes will provide protein to your dog, but protein from meat sources is the most important. You should know that dogs are carnivores by nature, so potatoes and other vegetables can be used only as an addition to a dog’s diet.

You should also have in mind that a dog’s digestive system is different from ours. Although potatoes may seem harmless, they can cause some health issues to your dog, especially if eaten in large quantities.

If you want to introduce potatoes into your dog’s diet, you should start with small amounts and watch how your dog reacts. If you see that your dog likes potatoes and if he is feeling good, you can safely use this vegetable as an occasional treat for your dog. This way you will provide him a healthy and balanced diet.

But, if you notice any side effects after feeding your dog potatoes, you should bring your dog to the vet. Some dogs may experience stomach upset after eating too many potatoes.

Summary

As you have seen in this article, you can feed your dog potatoes, but you should be careful. Although potatoes are generally safe for dogs, they may cause some problems. Dogs should eat potatoes only in small amounts and not too often. Potatoes are on the list of the foods that are safe for dogs, but you should be careful.

As we have told you, your dog should never eat raw potatoes because they can cause digestive and other health issues. Cooked potatoes are the best choice for your dog and they can be a great snack for him. Also, you should not add any toppings to your potatoes if you want to serve them to your dog.

Due to their high carbohydrate content, potatoes should be eaten in moderation. This way you will avoid your dog to gain weight and you will also reduce the risk of many health issues in your dog.

At the end of this article we can say that potatoes are not the best choice for your dog, but they are harmless in general. You should keep in mind that you are responsible for your dog’s health, so you need to provide him healthy and balanced diet.