Can dogs eat potatoes?

CONDITIONAL: Cooked plain potatoes can be an occasional safe treat for most dogs if prepared correctly. Raw, green, or seasoned potatoes and large portions can be toxic or unhealthy.

CONDITIONAL: Dogs can eat potatoes, but only when they are cooked plain and served in appropriate amounts — raw or green potatoes contain solanine and can be toxic.

Quick Safety Summary

- Cooked, plain white and sweet potatoes are safe as occasional treats for most dogs. Do not feed raw, green, sprouted, or seasoned potatoes.

- Avoid added salt, butter, oils, garlic, onions, and spices (many seasonings are toxic).

- Watch portion size: potatoes are starchy and calorie-dense. Adjust amounts by dog weight.

- If your dog eats green potatoes, large amounts of raw potato, or shows symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, seizures), call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline immediately (ASPCA APCC: 888-426-4435; Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661).

How potatoes affect dogs: short answer

Cooked white potatoes and cooked sweet potatoes can be fed to dogs in moderation as plain, unseasoned treats or mixed into meals. Raw potatoes — especially green or sprouted potatoes — contain solanine (a glycoalkaloid) that can cause gastrointestinal and neurologic signs. Always avoid added fats, salt, and toxic seasonings such as garlic or onion.

(ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center notes potatoes can cause poisoning when raw/green or when seasoned with toxic ingredients: https://www.aspca.org)

Nutritional comparison: white potato vs sweet potato (per 100 g, cooked)

• White potato (boiled, no salt): ~87 kcal, 20.1 g carbs, 1.9 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 1.8 g fiber, 425 mg potassium, vitamin C present in modest amounts.
• Sweet potato (boiled): ~90 kcal, 20.7 g carbs, 1.6 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 3.3 g fiber, 337 mg potassium, rich in beta-carotene (vitamin A source).

Toxicology: solanine and when potatoes are unsafe

Solanine is a naturally occurring glycoalkaloid concentrated in the leaves, stems, sprouts, and green-skinned areas of potatoes. Levels increase in potatoes exposed to light or that have sprouted. Solanine interferes with the nervous system and can cause:

• Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain
• Lethargy, weakness, ataxia (stumbling)
• Tremors, seizures, confusion, elevated heart rate in severe cases

Preparation rules: how to make potatoes safe for dogs

• Cook thoroughly: boil, bake, or steam until soft. Cooking reduces solanine exposure compared with raw potato (but does not remove it entirely if potato is green or sprouted).
• Peel if skin is green or damaged: discard green, sprouted, or moldy potatoes.
• Serve plain: no salt, butter, oil, sour cream, cheese, garlic, or onion. Garlic and onion are additional household toxins for dogs.
• Mash or chop into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking in small dogs.

Serving sizes and frequency (general guidelines)

Potatoes are a treat, not a staple. Use these conservative portions as occasional treats only (no more than 10% of daily calories from treats):

• Toy/very small dogs (up to 10 lb / 4.5 kg): 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 g) cooked potato
• Small dogs (11–25 lb / 5–11 kg): 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 g) cooked potato
• Medium dogs (26–50 lb / 12–23 kg): 1/4 cup (40–60 g) cooked potato
• Large dogs (51–90 lb / 24–41 kg): 1/2 cup (100–120 g) cooked potato

Potatoes and the grain-free/DCM investigation

In 2018–2019 the U.S. FDA investigated a possible association between certain grain-free commercial diets (many using potatoes or other legumes as primary carbohydrate sources) and increased reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The investigation found the situation complex: many implicated diets contained legumes or potatoes as main ingredients, but a direct causal link to potatoes alone was not established. The FDA, veterinary cardiologists, and pet food manufacturers continue to study nutritional and ingredient factors that might contribute to DCM risk. (U.S. FDA: Investigation into potential link between certain diets and canine DCM: https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/fda-investigation-potential-link-certain-diets-and-canine-dilated-cardiomyopathy)

Practical advice:

• Don’t assume potatoes alone cause DCM.
• If your dog is on a grain-free diet with potatoes/legumes as main ingredients and has cardiac symptoms (coughing, exercise intolerance, fainting, difficulty breathing), see your veterinarian promptly.
• Discuss diet history with your vet; they may recommend cardiac testing and dietary changes.

Common mistakes and hazards to avoid

• Raw or green potatoes (solanine risk).
• Seasoned potato dishes (garlic, onion, chives, excessive salt). Garlic and onions are toxic to dogs in small amounts.
• Potato skins with mold, rot, or heavy green coloring.
• Fried potatoes, chips, or heavily salted/fatty preparations that add calories and may trigger pancreatitis.

What to do in an emergency

If your dog eats green potatoes, a large amount of raw potato, or potato seasoned with toxic ingredients (onion, garlic), or shows symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, tremors, seizures):

If your dog is having seizures or is unresponsive, seek emergency veterinary care immediately.

Final considerations

Potatoes — when cooked plain and given in small amounts — can be a safe occasional treat for most dogs. Sweet potatoes add fiber and vitamin A precursors, while white potatoes are a neutral starchy option. Avoid raw, green, sprouted, or seasoned potatoes, and be mindful of overall calories and any pre-existing health conditions. If you have concerns about your dog’s diet and heart health (especially if feeding grain-free diets high in potatoes or legumes), consult your veterinarian.

Key Takeaways

• CONDITIONAL: Cooked plain potatoes are safe in moderation; raw/green potatoes can be toxic due to solanine.
• Sweet potatoes offer more fiber and beta-carotene; white potatoes are higher in potassium.
• Avoid added fats, salt, garlic, onions, and seasonings.
• Follow conservative portion sizes by weight and limit potatoes to an occasional treat (<10% of daily calories).
• If your dog ingests green potatoes, large raw quantities, or shows signs of poisoning, contact your vet and a poison hotline immediately (ASPCA APCC: 888-426-4435).

Frequently Asked Questions