Can Dogs Eat Potatoes? Raw vs Cooked Makes All the Difference

Potatoes are one of those foods that sit in a gray area for dog owners. You see them listed as an ingredient in commercial dog food, yet you have also heard warnings about potatoes being dangerous for dogs. Both of these things are true, and the difference comes down entirely to how the potato is prepared.

Raw Potatoes: Not Safe

Raw potatoes contain solanine, a glycoalkaloid compound that is toxic to both dogs and humans. Solanine is concentrated in the skin and any green parts of the potato. It is the plant's natural defense mechanism, and it can cause serious gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms in dogs.

Signs of Solanine Toxicity

• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Lethargy and weakness
• Confusion or disorientation
• In severe cases: tremors, difficulty breathing, cardiac effects

Cooked Potatoes: Generally Safe

Cooking breaks down the majority of solanine, making cooked potatoes safe for dogs in moderate amounts. However, how you cook the potato matters:

• Boiled or baked (plain): The safest options. No added butter, salt, oil, or seasoning.
• Mashed: Only if made plain. Mashed potatoes with butter, milk, garlic, or cheese are not suitable, dairy can cause digestive upset, and garlic is toxic.
• Fried (french fries, chips): Too much fat, salt, and often additional seasonings. Not appropriate for dogs.
• Roasted with seasoning: Onion powder, garlic powder, and other common roasting seasonings are toxic. Plain roasted is fine.

White Potatoes vs Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are often considered the better option for dogs, and there are good reasons for that preference:

For most dogs, sweet potatoes are the better choice, they offer more nutritional value, more fiber, and no solanine risk.

A Note on the FDA and Grain-Free Diets

In 2018, the FDA began investigating a potential link between grain-free dog foods (which often use potatoes or legumes as the primary carbohydrate) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The investigation is ongoing and no definitive causal link has been established, but it is worth discussing with your vet if your dog eats a grain-free diet that relies heavily on potatoes.