Can Dogs Eat Potatoes? Thinking about giving your dog potatoes? So keep reading our super full article and check out if the potatoes are good and safe to feed your 4 legged children!
Is the potato safe for dogs?
This is what we are going to investigate in this article, providing all the answers you are looking for!
For many people in this modern world, the white potato or potato may be too much of a caloric energy source.
This is because the potato is a starchy vegetable, that is, a food that is a source of starch, one of the dreaded carbohydrates!
But does this rule apply to dogs too?
It is important to know the correct answer because when it comes to the health of our furry children, we take this issue seriously.
And to make sure our pets stay happy and healthy, we should have detailed information about what foods we can share with them.
For while some foods are good for humans, they can have harmful effects on dogs.
So, thinking of all these issues, we have prepared a complete article to let you know if a dog can eat potatoes and if this food is good for your dog.
In this article you will learn:
- After all, can dogs eat potatoes?
- Potato Key Benefits
- Dog Potato Care and Restrictions
- How to Give Potato to Your Dog
The short answer to this question is yes, the dog can eat potatoes.
Dogs can consume potatoes as part of their regular diet or as a snack.
Potatoes are a good source of carbohydrates and are often already included in certain dog foods.
In a natural diet, potatoes are often used as one of the options as a source of carbohydrates.
Although sweet potatoes are a better option, English potatoes can also be used.
That said, some considerations must be made.
The potato is part of a plant of family nightshade, plants that are termed Solanaceae as well as tomatoes.
Plants of this species contain potentially toxic substances such as Solanine.
These substances are present in higher concentration in the stem and leaves, that is, mainly in the green parts.
But raw potatoes and green potatoes also contain a certain concentration of Solanine.
Signs of Solanine poisoning can usually be associated with stomach and intestines, such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea.
But they can also cause more severe signs such as dilated pupils, excessive salivation, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, and poor motor coordination.
That is classic signs of serious intoxication.
Potatoes have high digestibility and are good sources of energy.
They contain some good dog nutrients like Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Iron, Potassium and Magnesium.
The vitamin C acts on the immune system and is an excellent antioxidant, slowing the aging, for combating cellular degeneration.
Vitamin C also improves the appearance of the skin and joint function as it participates in collagen production.
The vitamin B6 plays multiple roles in the production of proteins, hormones, and neurotransmitters and therefore is essential for the mental and physical health of your dog.
It may also be beneficial for treating kidney stones.
Some studies indicate a protective function of vitamin B6 on cancer r.
Iron is an essential nutrient for the body. It is responsible for the formation of hemoglobin, an essential element for transporting oxygen throughout the body, including the heart.
The potassium is an essential nutrient for the heart health of your dog. In the event of a lack of potassium, your dog is at risk for a heart attack or heart failure.
The Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal known in nutrition as an essential element because of the large amount needed by the body, i.e., can not miss!
Magnesium is one of the constituent elements of the skeleton, providing rigid consistency.
Magnesium is also essential for the proper functioning of nerve transmissions and muscle contractions.
As stated above, the potato contains high levels of carbohydrates and therefore should avoid eating obese dogs with this food.
Another group of dogs that should not be fed the potato are diabetic dogs.
Potatoes contain high carbohydrate content and can alter blood glucose in these dogs.
If you decide to give your dog potatoes, we recommend that you take the following precautions:
- Potatoes should be cooked so that the toxic amount of solanine is reduced to safe levels.
Never offer raw potatoes to your dog.
- Make sure the potato is fully ripe.
Signs such as greenish bark mean it is not fit for consumption and contains solanine.
Even cooked, green potatoes may still contain Solanine, so it is not safe.
- Give in moderation, because carbohydrates and starches in large quantities can result in obesity or other health problems for your dog.
And if you’re the type who likes to grow your food in your backyard, we recommend that you protect your dog’s plantation from eating the potatoes directly from the plantation or chewing on the stems and leaves.
My Dog Ate Raw Potatoes, What To Do?
If you are suspicious that your dog may have eaten raw potatoes by mistake, go to the vet immediately and report the case.
The veterinarian is the only one able to assess the severity of the situation in each dog.
Never feed your dog chips, the dog may eat potatoes, but not the chips.
Potato chips are usually loaded in oils and are highly greasy and harmful to health.
If you choose to offer your dog potatoes, it is recommended that they are cooked, as stated above in the Care and Restrictions section.
You can serve them in pieces or in puree form without adding anything to it such as butter or salt.
As we have also said, dogs can consume potatoes as part of their regular diet or as a snack.
If you are interested in providing a balanced natural diet for your dog, talk to your veterinarian so that he can prescribe an appropriate natural diet.
Or offer it from time to time as a snack.
Important: Our content is produced by veterinary professionals and is informative.
But there are some particular issues with your dog that you should ALWAYS contact your trusted vet.
Therefore, it in no way replaces the guidance of a veterinarian.
Whenever your dog shows abnormal signs, take him to the veterinarian.
We hope that in this article you have found all the information you were looking for.
After all, your dog’s health is very important to us.
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