There are different types of dog food, but we know dogs love eating meat. In the battle of being omnivores or carnivores, some might think they are carnivores due to their life for beef. In reality, dogs can stay healthy by eating animal- and plant-based food. The question is, can dogs eat potatoes?
After knowing if dogs are omnivores or carnivores, we understand that eating vegetables is not prohibited for dogs. However, some plant-based foods might upset their stomach. We know that vegetables like broccoli are healthy for dogs. So what about potatoes?
Table of Contents
Is Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy Related to Potatoes?
The UC Davis School of Medicine is the institute that researched canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). They reported how DCM was caused in dogs that eat foods based on ingredients like potatoes, peas, lentils, and legumes.
This report scares some owners, but it is a statistical result. DCM is a heart disease found in dogs that increases the size of their heart and reduces muscle movement and proper pumping.
This problem in the heart’s function might be related to a dog’s diet, but mainly, it is transferred genetically. Its dependence on the diet factor is very rare. Although, it does happen in some cases.
Are Humble Potatoes Poisonous for Dogs?
Potatoes are so versatile that they can create many delicious foods, including french fries, tater tots, and hash browns.
Potatoes are not just tasty and versatile; they are also very nutritious and healthy for humans. So, what about dogs? Can a dog eat potatoes?
Well, this depends on whether they are good for dogs or not. If we get into details, you will find Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Iron, and other nutrients your dog must have.
So here, the dog can be fed potatoes, but there can be some side effects that we can’t ignore because dogs are like our babies. You can use potatoes as a topping for your dog food.
Buy Potatoe Cooker From Amazon
Can dogs eat raw potatoes?
Never. Always keep in mind that you should not feed raw potatoes to your dog. They are not healthy for several reasons. The family of white potatoes is a nightshade, and tomatoes are also included.
So, just like tomatoes have some toxic things in raw form, so do raw potatoes. They contain solanine when they are not cooked. So, if you properly cook the potatoes, the solanine level can be reduced.
Don’t Add Seasoning or Additional Ingredients
When cooking your potatoes for your puppy, you must select from the options of baking or boiling. Can a dog eat potatoes? It can be answered positively depending on the way of cooking.
Ensure you don’t add flavor and ingredients like garlic and any seasoning because that is unhealthy for your furry friends. Please don’t make them eat fried potatoes with excess oil, butter, or salt added to them because that will not benefit the dog.
If you think your dog has diabetes, make sure to avoid such food because it can increase the sugar level in its blood. Most of the nutrients in a dog’s diet come from animal protein, like chicken jerky.
So, ensure you only give your dog a small number of potatoes, not too much, because they don’t need that for proper growth.
Buy Purina Dog Food from Amazon
Are Sweet Potatoes Fine for Dogs?
After getting the answer to whether dogs can eat potatoes, the next question is whether dogs can eat sweet potatoes. Well, the list of nutrients increases in sweet potatoes because they have potassium, magnesium, and all other parts of white potatoes.
Iron is also present in moderate amounts. Most holiday foods except turkey, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes are good for dogs.
Dogs are different from each other, so feed a very small amount of plain cooked potatoes to your dog, not a high amount. Before you add anything new to your dog’s diet, consult the veterinarian for better advice.