As we plan our menus for the upcoming holidays, we can think about what our dogs can contribute. Particularly considering how many of us simply can’t help ourselves when our dependable dogs give us the puppy-eyes while we indulge on our holiday bounty.
Although dogs don’t require anything more than balanced dog food, it can be alluring to give them a small portion of your dinner. Knowing how human food will effect your dog’s digestive system before they barge into the kitchen to get a mouthful is crucial to their long-term health.
You might be wondering if the mashed potatoes on the majority of holiday feast menus are suitable for your dog. Yes, mashed potatoes are generally safe for dogs. However, how you prepare the food is key to ensuring their safety. Before serving your dog a portion-sized serving of mashed potatoes, read our article Can Dogs Eat Potatoes to find out more about including potatoes in your dog’s diet.
Nutritional benefits of potatoes
The nutrients in potatoes boost the health of your dog. They offer a sufficient amount of vitamins B6, A, and C. They also contain anti-oxidants that can protect against the consequences of cognitive aging, strengthen your dog’s immunological and nervous systems, and combat cell oxidation.
Additionally, potatoes are a rich source of minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron, and calcium, which all support kidney function, heart health, bone and cell growth, and metabolism.
Another advantage of potatoes for health is fiber. Fiber-rich foods can keep the digestive system functioning properly.
Although giving potatoes to your dog has many advantages, there are some disadvantages as well.
The downside of potatoes
The high carbohydrate content of potatoes is one of its main disadvantages. Potatoes are high on the glycemic index and can trigger blood sugar surges that can be fatal for diabetic pets. In order to produce energy, carbohydrates transform into sugar in the digestive tract. Potatoes are harmful for dogs with diabetes to eat since they can’t process a lot of sugar or carbohydrates in their diets.
The Nightshade plant family includes potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes. Because of the solanine found in the roots, potato skin, stems, and leaves, they are poisonous to both people and animals. The solanine content of potatoes is reduced after heating, making them safer for you and your dog to eat. Due to their high solanine content, raw potatoes should not be consumed by humans or given to dogs.
Higher solanine levels may be visible in the color of the potato’s skin. Intake of sunlight causes chlorophyll to be activated, giving potatoes their green color. Potatoes with green skin that have been peeled and cooked retain their solanine content. Avoid consuming potatoes with green skin whenever possible.
Toxic effects of solanine include:
- intestinal discomfort severe diarrhea and vomiting
- Continent pain
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Confusion
After feeding your dog potatoes, if you observe any of these symptoms, contact or see your veterinarian right once.
White or sweet potatoes are frequently listed as a carbohydrate in dog food. For dogs with dietary sensitivities or allergies who need a diet with few ingredients, this is an excellent option. Dog food in a balanced diet has a lower carbohydrate content and more animal proteins than your dog requires.
Would it be okay to include mashed potatoes to your dog’s balanced diet if you were thinking about doing that?
Can you give your dog mashed potatoes?
If properly prepared, mashed potatoes can be a healthy treat for your dog. The best way to serve potatoes to your dog is roasted, boiled, or steam them without adding butter, gravy, fats, salts, or seasonings.
Garlic, onions, and chives are extremely toxic to dogs and can harm red blood cells, resulting in serious anemia, if they are added to the mash. Because the poisons are concentrated more, garlic and onion powder are even more dangerous. Visit our earlier articles to learn more about feeding dogs onions and garlic.
You can give your dog modest amounts of frozen, dehydrated, or instant mashed potatoes with no problems. The majority only contain potatoes, with later additions of milk, salt, butter, or water during the cooking process. Given that dogs dislike seasonings, giving them plain, unsalted potatoes is a wonderful gift that they will enjoy.
Please be aware that adding dairy items like milk or sour cream may cause stomach upset or diarrhea in some dogs who are lactose intolerant. Having said that, as long as the mashed potatoes don’t have any onion or garlic seasoning, a modest amount of dairy-free mashed potatoes won’t harm them. Your dog won’t be harmed by very little amounts of salt, pepper, or butter, but it pays to be careful.
Which dogs should not eat mashed potatoes?
When a dog has diabetes, cancer, or is obese, carbohydrates can lead to major issues. Dogs with certain health problems shouldn’t eat potatoes in any manner since carbohydrates turn to sugar.
Is there a link between eating potatoes and Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)?
You may be aware of the connection between eating potatoes and DCM in dogs. Numerous research carried out by veterinary specialists linked canine consumption of legumes—not potatoes—to DCM. Read our complete article Can Dogs Eat Potatoes for a more thorough examination of that topic. But this is the gist of it.
The condition known as dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) causes the heart to grow, which hinders the heart’s capacity to efficiently pump blood throughout the body of a dog. A sudden heart attack and severe congestive heart failure may result from this.
Numerous studies have shown that 93% of dogs with DCM were found to be consuming meals containing peas or lentils (legumes) as the main ingredient. There were significantly fewer dogs with DCM who consumed diets with potatoes or sweet potatoes.
The last word on mashed potatoes for dogs
Remember the daily dietary calorie intake limit when you see your dog begging for a nibble of your food to stay healthy and prevent obesity. 90% of your dog’s daily caloric intake should come from the conventional dog food diet. The final 10% could come from goodies. Vegetables, store-bought goodies, and food scraps all fall under this category. Treat consumption that exceeds 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake can result in weight gain.
When the dish in question is your family’s mashed potato recipe, make your dog’s potato portion entirely plain. Your dog will be just as content eating a small quantity of this delicious delicacy without all the extra ingredients, additives, and fats that people love to include.
By omitting additional human food items from mashed potatoes, you can reduce your risk of stomach distress, salt poisoning, and the painful and fatal pancreatitis it can induce.
You can confidently give your furry child plain, unseasoned vegetables and meat morsels while they are hovering nearby and waiting for a morsel of deliciousness. By doing this, you can be sure that your dog will have a wonderful holiday season.
Potato flakes as a natural feed
In the modern diet of our pets, potato flakes are a major component due to their high mineral, fiber, and vitamin content. They are ideal for providing nutritious pet food.
Positive effects
The vitamins and minerals in potato flakes can support a healthy immune system and metabolism. Additionally, it can be fed to animals to help them have better skin and coats.
High product quality
A natural diet must include natural feed. As a pet food wholesaler, we place a high value on the meticulous processing of each of our raw materials so that we can provide premium and nutrient-rich natural goods.
What happens if my dog consumes mashed potatoes?
Yes, provided that the potatoes are roasted rather than boiled and that no additional seasonings, milk, or butter are used. However, your dog won’t be able to gain much nutritional benefit from eating mashed potatoes. As a result, it’s always advisable to stick with dog food that has been specifically created to meet the demands of dogs.
Can dogs eat potatoes in a can?
According to Dr. Danielle Bernal, a veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food, potatoes are a safe food for dogs to consume. In actuality, this nutritious vegetable is brimming with several necessary vitamins and minerals that are advantageous for puppies. They are beneficial for energy and have a high rate of digestion, according to Dr.
Can dogs eat sweet potatoes cooked instantly?
In commercial dog foods, potatoes are a common source of starch and protein. Additionally, potato protein is frequently included in dog food with few ingredients. These components have been prepared and processed especially to meet the nutritional needs of dogs.
What happens, though, if your dog consumes some potato? Is it harmful to them? How about a raw potato?
Can Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes or Raw Sweet Potatoes?
White potatoes are nightshade family plants that contain the solanine chemical. Dogs shouldn’t eat raw potatoes since they are hazardous to them. To make potatoes safe for dogs, the solanine content is reduced while cooking.
Dogs’ digestive systems may become irritated by raw sweet potatoes. Additionally, eating raw sweet potatoes or raw white potatoes can both result in intestinal obstructions.
Can Dogs Eat Cooked White Potatoes?
If you choose to give your dog a portion of a white potato, make sure it is thoroughly cooked and free of butter or flavor. Products made from potatoes like potato chips, French fries, or mashed potatoes sometimes have excessive amounts of fat and salt that are bad for dogs.
Feeding potatoes to your dog with diabetes can result in blood sugar increases.
Even tiny amounts of potatoes provided as treats should be added to other treats to make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes That Are Cooked?
Sweet potatoes that have been cooked are better for dogs since they contain essential vitamins including A, B6, C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. Orange-colored vegetables include beta-carotene, an antioxidant and precursor to vitamin A that supports immunity.
Your dog will love boiled, steamed, baked, or dehydrated sweet potatoes as a snack. Before including sweet potatoes in your dog’s diet, though, consult your physician because too much vitamin A can weaken the muscles and create bone problems.
Additionally, sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than white potatoes, however feeding sweet potatoes to a diabetic dog should be done under a veterinarian’s care.
The 10% daily maximum of calories your dog can get from treats should include calories from sweet potatoes as well.
Why are ham and mashed potatoes off limits to dogs?
Even though we might think of these six delicacies as essentials for a satisfying Christmas meal, we should keep them off the table and away from our pets.
Mashed Potatoes and Gravy
Huge levels of fat in this well-liked side dish could, at best, result in urgent diarrhea or, at worst, pancreatitis, which are both GI upsets.
If you didn’t have your plate covered, this side dish would probably be devoured in a flash because it’s so delicious and doesn’t require chewing. However, there’s a good chance it’ll come up again as you’re eating your own Christmas dinner.
Meat Fat, Bones and Skin
Although turkey carcasses and fat drippings may be a dog’s idea of heaven, they can seriously complicate your dog’s digestive system.
Dogs shouldn’t be fed meat that has bones, too much fat, skin, or drippings since they run the danger of suffering from injuries or gastrointestinal blockages. Additionally, they can cause more complicated illnesses like pancreatitis.
Casseroles and Spreads
Although the name of the dish makes it sound like one of the healthier options, green bean casserole is misleading.
Holiday casseroles like this one are loaded with ingredients that are hazardous to dogs, including heavy creams, butter, oils, and salt.
Even if a dish is made with a vegetable that is suitable for dogs, such green beans or sweet potatoes, it is not one to give to your dog if it is a casserole.
Dairy products should not be offered to dogs either. Avoid fatty dips and spreads as well as hefty appetizers like cheese balls.
The holidays are not the best time to push your dog’s digestive system to its limits because the majority of canines do not tolerate dairy well.
Desserts
While apple, pumpkin, and chocolate pies may be favorites among people, dogs should never be given these fatty, sugary treats.
Dogs will go to great lengths, or even up to the height of a counter, to indulge in this dangerous pastime. Never, ever leave the candy dish or the kitchen counter unattended and within paw’s reach!
Even though not all sweets are poisonous to dogs like chocolate is, it’s never a good idea to eat dessert.
In modest doses, artificial sweeteners like xylitol can be fatal. Keep the desserts and after-dinner delights for the people.
Can dogs eat gravy and mashed potatoes?
No, mashed potatoes with gravy should not be given to dogs. An excessive amount of salt can be found in gravy. Gravy contains more sodium than a dog can comfortably consume, despite the fact that the salt makes the dish more appetizing to us. Additionally, the flavoring for onion or garlic in gravy may be hazardous to dogs.
When do dogs become poisoned from potatoes?
In addition to minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium, potatoes also include vitamins A, B6, and C. Given that these nutrients are advantageous for both humans and dogs, giving them to your pet isn’t necessarily a terrible idea. But potatoes also provide a lot of carbs, which might be problematic for animals with diabetes or obesity. So while puppies can eat potatoes, their diets shouldn’t consist solely of them.
The quantity is another problem. As with many meals, your dog may experience negative health effects if they consume too many potatoes. If you choose to give your dog potatoes, make sure to do so sparingly because dogs’ bodies are made to obtain the majority of their nutrition from animal protein. Start with a tiny amount to make sure they can stomach it without any issues. According to the 10% rule, which suggests that treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories, you can generally give them potatoes as a treat.
Avoid potatoes entirely if your dog has diabetes as they may result in blood sugar increases.
