Most dogs do enjoy them, so I bet you’ve shared a dollop of mashed potatoes with your furry friend at some point. White potatoes, sweet potatoes, baking potatoes, baby potatoes, and even colorful potatoes are among the varieties of potatoes that are available. The term “starchy carb” or “carbohydrate” is sometimes used to describe potatoes. Not all potatoes are created equal, so let’s learn which ones are best to feed your dog. While some varieties can be a great fresh food addition to your dog’s diet,
There are several varieties of potatoes, some of which are significantly better options than others, even though the short answer to this is “yes,” as was already mentioned. The main difference is between white potatoes and sweet potatoes. White potatoes are a member of the nightshade family.
These vegetables contain solanine and can exacerbate inflammation. Additionally, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, or simply “DCM,” is a diet-related heart disease that is thought to be exacerbated by white potatoes. White potatoes and legumes like chickpeas and lentils interfere with the absorption of taurine, an essential amino acid. Taurine is vital for the functioning of a healthy heart. For these reasons, it is typically advised that dogs avoid consuming any significant amounts of white potatoes.
Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, do not belong to the nightshade family and are not connected to DCM. Sweet potatoes are a great addition to a dog’s diet because they are higher in fiber and have a slightly lower glycemic index than white potatoes. We’ll talk a bit more about the benefits below.
One thing to consider when including any starchy carb in a dog’s diet is the additional calories. Overdoing it can lead to weight gain and even obesity. A cup of sweet potatoes has about 200 calories and 41 grams of fat. They have 4 grams of carbohydrates, making them a very calorie-dense food; a little goes a long way.
Important Information: You should avoid giving your dog foods high in oxalates, like sweet potatoes, if they have a history of calcium-oxalate stones.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked White Potatoes?
If you choose to give your dog a portion of a white potato, make sure it is thoroughly cooked and free of butter or seasoning. Products made from potatoes like potato chips, French fries, or mashed potatoes sometimes have excessive amounts of fat and salt that are bad for dogs.
Feeding potatoes to your dog with diabetes can result in blood sugar spikes.
Even small amounts of potatoes given as treats should be added to other treats to make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
Guidelines For Using Potatoes for Dogs
Use of the 20% rule for human foods as supplements to commercial pet foods is a good rule of thumb. That means that no more than 20% of your dog’s diet should consist of fresh food “toppers.” This means that if you feed your dog 2 cups of commercial food, you can substitute up to 20% of it with 0 4 cups or 3. 2oz – with fresh foods, like sweet potatoes. Green beans, broccoli, and spinach are additional low-calorie, easily digestible vegetables that are suitable for dogs.
If your pet has a history of calcium-oxalate stones, please refer to the warning above.
Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes For Dogs
Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of fiber and a good source of beta-carotene when cooked correctly by boiling and mashing them. Never give your dog raw vegetables, including sweet potatoes, as most uncooked vegetables are unpleasant for dogs to eat.
Because beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A (retinol), the body must process it before it can be used. Sweet potatoes are advantageous despite dogs’ limited capacity to process this conversion because they are high in antioxidants that shield your body from free radicals.
Sweet Potatoes also contain the following vitamins and minerals:
FAQ
Can I feed my dog potato everyday?
Because even an excessive amount of cooked, unseasoned potatoes can poison your dog with solanine, you shouldn’t give him potatoes every night. To maintain their health, dogs should only occasionally consume potatoes.
Can I feed my dog cooked potatoes?
The nightshade family of vegetables, which also includes tomatoes, includes white potatoes. Like tomatoes, raw potatoes contain solanine, which can be toxic to some dogs. However, cooking a potato reduces the levels of solanine. If you do give your dog potatoes, make sure they are baked or boiled without any additional ingredients.
What happens if a dog eats potatoes?
If your dog consumes a raw potato with the highest solanine content, they may experience nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting as a result of their upset stomach.
How much raw potato is bad for dogs?
Despite the fact that potatoes are a nutritious vegetable for humans, it is best to avoid giving your dog any raw potato or potato skins due to the toxins they contain. As a natural defense against insects, the potato and other plants, including tomatoes and eggplant, produce solanine.