Potatoes are a common treat for dogs, and many people wonder if dogs can dogs eat potatoes. Because of their abundant vitamins and minerals, potatoes generally compliment a dog’s diet nicely. But they shouldn’t replace a real meal with dry dog food. Sweet potatoes, on the other hand, are actually healthier than their white counterpart.
Unlike dogs that are fed table scraps, most dogs can actually manage two to three small, but sufficient, portions of sweet potatoes per day. This is a good thing because it means your pet doesn’t have to count calories or count grams of any kind to stay healthy. Instead, they get what they need in their regular meals – lots of water, necessary electrolytes and minerals. And they’re easily digested by the body.
Another reason these little solanine-rich potatoes are safe for dogs to eat is the way they are cooked. Most commercial dog foods use fertilizers and chemicals to extend the shelf life of their ingredients. These additives typically come from cheap sources like petroleum, which is a petroleum-derived product that’s been proven dangerous for long-term health. To avoid these chemicals and fertilizers, choose a dry dog food that’s made from organic, wild-grown ingredients. The better brands are free of fertilizers and chemicals, and the glycoalkaloid called solanine is added only to improve the nutricosmetics of a dry diet. Solanine, a chemical commonly used in artificial fertilizers and other industrial products, is a potentially toxic substance.
why don’t we want our dogs to eat potatoes?
One reason is because humans often underestimate the importance of a good, healthy diet for our Petsynse. Dogs are not carnivores. We require meat for protein, an essential nutrient that’s found in all plant-based foods, not animal products. Fats provide a good source of energy, but too much can cause fatigue and even depression in dogs that may be genetically predisposed to it.
Fortunately, potatoes aren’t the only vegetable that’s safe for dogs to eat, as long as they’re the right variety. Spinach is another great source of healthy calories, with no fat and low-fat content. Chickpeas have similar benefits, as well as good fiber. And since chickens are also considered healthy animals, you can feed them grains and fruits as well, without worrying about what to feed them.
Unfortunately, some people still think French fries are off limits. But contrary to popular belief, dogs eat potatoes, just fine -just not in the way some people mistakenly assume! While French fries are the name given to a dish that’s prepared by frying potatoes in butter, not all dogs enjoy the dish’s buttery, golden goodness. In fact, most dogs will eat potatoes just as well uncooked, as long as they’re mashed up into a nice chunk instead of mashed potato.
Why some people fear to giving raw potato
The reason why some people fear that giving your dog a piece of raw potato is harmful has to do with their diet, and their health. Potatoes are packed full of both vitamins and minerals and contain tons of fiber – not to mention all the fiber your pet needs to stay healthy. To some, any fiber is toxic, because it is believed that fiber is toxic if it’s consumed in large quantities. However, studies have shown that many types of fiber actually benefit dogs, just as they benefit humans. So while it’s true that potatoes can be toxic, it’s not true that all forms of fiber are toxic to pets – so eat lots of raw potatoes, and reap the benefits, without worrying about causing your pooch stomach upsets or bloating.
Finally, let’s address the issue of whether or not raw potatoes are good for dogs. To answer this, it’s safe to say that yes, dogs can eat sweet potatoes…as long as they aren’t over-ripe or dark green. Potatoes are a vegetable and should be treated as such. They come in a variety of colors, and you can even cook them, if you’re not going to feed your pup cooked potatoes (which is probably a better idea anyway). It’s true that potatoes are a great source of potassium and vitamin C, but these vitamins are found in many other foods and are beneficial to dogs just as much as they are to humans.
