Can dogs eat potatoes?

Is there anything better than a side of potatoes to go with your steak or even as a breakfast accompaniment? Probably not. But just because we may love this starchy side dish, that doesn’t necessarily mean this is something our dogs can safely eat.

So of course, that leaves us wondering whether or not our dogs can actually eat potatoes. And if they can, are there any restrictions to the way they enjoy this treat?

Luckily for us, we are turning to pet experts over at the Be Chewy Blog for some answers.

Are dogs able to eat potatoes?

It seems that the general consensus is that yes, dogs can eat potatoes. However, just because it is a yes, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some restrictions. In fact, there are actually a few things to note before you just throw some potatoes in your dog’s food bowl.

Not only should dogs not be eating fried potatoes (sorry Fluffy, no McDonald’s French fries for you!), but they can’t eat raw potatoes either. In order for dogs to enjoy one of our favorite side dishes, they need to get it “well-cooked.” That being said, there are still options available for our pups.

Dogs can enjoy their potato side dish mashed or baked, steamed or boiled. As long as the potatoes are fully cooked, they are good to enjoy this treat in moderation. This also means that this should not be something they get all the time, and instead this should be a true treat.

Then again, when it comes to treating our pups, we shouldn’t be changing up their diets too often anyway, because it can cause problems with their stomachs.

That being said, we want to know what you think about giving your dog a potato as a treat.

And remember, we always recommend talking to your dog’s veterinarian before changing up their diets or adding something new.