Can dogs eat potatoes?

Updated 18/04/2024

As one of the most popular staples to plates all over the world, we wouldn't blame you for wondering - can dogs eat potatoes? Well luckily for our furry friends, yes, dogs can eat potatoes. But that doesn't mean serving up any old spuds to your pup - read on to find out the safest way for your dog to enjoy potatoes every now and then.

Are potatoes poisonous to dogs?

Can dogs eat potatoes or are potatoes poisonous to dogs? Well if you were considering serving up raw potatoes to your pup, the answer would be yes, potatoes are poisonous to dogs. That's because potatoes contain a substance called solanine (which is also found in tomatoes) that can cause diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy. That's why cooked potatoes are always recommended to dogs - we'll get into the best ways to serve potatoes to dogs below.

Related article: Can dogs eat pecans?

Are potatoes good for dogs?

So, now we're clear on the question - can dogs eat potatoes - is potato good for dogs? Do spuds have any real nutritional benefits for our canine companions? Well potatoes contain a variety of micronutrients, including magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6 and thiamin. So theoretically speaking, yes, potatoes are good for dogs. However, your dog's food should contain all the vitamins, minerals and macronutrients they need, so potatoes would never be a staple in a well-fed dog's diet.

Related article: Can dogs eat blackberries?

Feeding your dog potatoes

Here comes probably the most important part: how to feed your dog potatoes. As we've mentioned, raw potatoes are seriously bad news for dogs, so they'll need to be cooked to avoid those nasty effects of solanine toxicity. To cook potatoes for dogs, completely peel them (as the skin is hard for dogs to digest), and roast them plain. Make sure you don't add any salt, seasonings, butters or oils as a dog's digestive system is a whole lot different to our own, and they simply don't need the extra add-ons, not to mention the high fat content. Now you're in the know about dogs eating potatoes, let's explore a few common questions people have about feeding dogs spuds.  

Related article: Can dogs eat peas?

Can dogs eat potato skins?

Can dogs have potato skins or should you peel them before cooking? Always peel - the skins are really difficult for your dog to digest.

Can dogs eat purple potatoes?

Yes, dogs can eat purple potatoes, so long as they're peeled and cooked plain.

Can dogs have red potatoes?

Yes, dogs can have red potatoes, just be sure to peel them before cooking, so they're not actually red for serving. 

Can dogs eat canned potatoes?

Can dogs have potatoes if they're canned? Generally it's best to steer clear of any processed form of potatoes, as they often have additives like salt or sugar. 

Are raw potatoes bad for dogs?

Can dogs eat raw potatoes or should all kinds of potatoes always be cooked? As we've mentioned, raw potatoes contain solanine which can cause toxicity in dogs and symptoms including vomiting and diarrhea, so always cook potatoes before serving to dogs.

Related article: Can dogs eat pickles?

Other potato products: common questions

Can dogs eat sweet potato fries?

Dogs can't eat sweet potato fries due to the high fat content, but they're safe to eat peeled and cooked sweet potatoes. In fact, they contain a variety of micronutrients including vitamin A, C, B6, calcium, iron and magnesium.

Can dogs eat chips?

Can dogs eat potato chips? Definitely not - their high salt and fat content makes them a seriously unhealthy snack for dogs.

Can dogs eat French fries?

Can dogs eat fries or are they too unhealthy for dogs? Well you'd be right to avoid French fries for your pup - they're far too high in fat.

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?

Mashed potatoes are safe for dogs, so long as they're not mashed with any seasonings or fat.  

Can dogs eat tater tots?

Can dogs have potatoes in the form of tater tots? Certainly not - tater tots are laced with seasonings and are often pre-fried, making them seriously high in fat (which is of course never good news for our furry friends). 

Related article: Can dogs eat asparagus?

Meet our veterinary expert, Hannah

This article has been checked by veterinarian Dr Hannah Godfrey BVetMed MRCV.

Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in mixed practice for a few years before focusing on small animal work. Clinically, she worked in a busy, multi-center hospital practice until 2018, where she underwent training in advanced canine and feline dentistry and began working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She then moved to a local independent practice to care for the pets nearby, allowing more time to focus on other career avenues, which include writing for a diverse range of pet websites, vet practices, drug companies, journals, and veterinary educators.

Other foods that are safe for dogs

So, now we've cleared up the question - can dogs eat potatoes, explore other 'human' foods can dogs eat to find out the safest way to serve them up for your pup. 

• Corn off the cob
• Bananas
• Unsweetened yogurt