Can I give my dog potatoes?

Video: Mishka says "I want Potatoes!" - Husky Dog Talking

Sharing a potato with your dog is usually harmless, but there are some factors to consider before feeding time. This vegetable has several variations, but most belong to the Nightshade family which should raise eyebrows for pet owners.

Sweet potatoes and yams are nutritionally superior and more appropriate for dogs, particularly if a pet doesn’t agree with nightshades. Carbs and sugars are also considerations for canines. Too much can contribute to obesity and other medical issues later in life.

Don’t get us wrong! You can share veggies, including potatoes, with your dog but just do so with sufficient knowledge. There’s more to learn about this starchy staple before providing it to a precious pet. Keep reading…

Can I Give My Dog Potatoes? Answer: Yes, cooked and in moderation

This famous food contains vitamin A, B & C as well as iron. Nevertheless, keep portions to a minimum and never serve raw.

A high-quality dog food that incorporates potatoes may be the best way to provide this vegetable. For example, there’s an excellent whitefish and sweet potatoes recipe without GMOs or preservatives. When sharing, in whole form, know that sweet potatoes are better than the regular white variety since they fall outside the Solanaceae categorization and contain extra nutrients. Just avoid giving your dog too many carbohydrates since it will tend to make them sluggish.

Diabetic canines shouldn’t partake and, obviously, potato chips and french fries are always out of the question!

Properly Preparing Potatoes

When feeding a straight potato to a dog always wash, peel and boil until soft. Always cook this nightshade vegetable prior to serving. Raw potatoes contain a naturally-occurring chemical called solanine which can be toxic and may adversely affect your dog’s nervous system. So, boil or bake before chow time.

Mashed potatoes can be inappropriate. They often contain added butter, cheese, bacon bits, milk and salt. Take these ingredients into consideration before they’re gobbled up. Your dog will likely wolf down their plain potato portion, in short order, without critiquing the taste.

Carbohydrates For Canines

When you feed Fido cooked potatoes remember that this is a starchy vegetable with high carbs. Active dogs can burn these calories. If your buddy isn’t running around for much of the day then potatoes may weigh them down and they’ll pack on the pounds.

So while potatoes are healthy, and contain some nutrients for dogs, the carbohydrate factor is a concern. That’s why you should limit potatoe portions. In other words, make room for what your precious pet requires to thrive.

A quality dog food will contain the right balance of nutrients which is something potatoes simply can’t do.

Video: Man and husky argue over stolen potato skin

Forget a Vegetarian Diet

Never tip the scales towards a vegetarian diet. Your dog needs meat protein and lots of starchy potatoes just won’t cut it. Again, that’s not to say veggies cannot be beneficial. They just need to remain at secondary status. Protein from meat is much more important for dogs.

Video: Sweet Potato Good or Bad for your dog?

So do not feel bad if your dog doesn’t get to regularly eat healthy vegetables. Potatoes, even though they contain vitamin C and iron, aren’t going to help out your dog as much as you may think.

Conclusion on Potatoes

You can feed your dog a potato or two, but never serve this veggie raw and exclude butter or sour cream. Ration portions due to carbohydrate concerns. Sweet potatoes are more nutritious and a better choice for dogs. Potatoes aren’t the greatest people food for pets, but they’re generally harmless when cooked and fed in moderation. Consider a quality canine-formulated potato recipe for a more balanced approach.

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