Can Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes? No — Cook Them First

Why raw potatoes are unsafe for dogs

Potatoes belong to the nightshade family, the same group as tomatoes and eggplant. The AKC describes raw or green potatoes as unsafe and potentially toxic, and explains that green patches signal more solanine, a compound the plant makes to protect itself. Pet Poison Helpline likewise advises against feeding green potatoes or the potato plant.

Raw potato is also starchy in a form dogs digest poorly, so even a pale, healthy-looking piece can cause stomach upset. Cooking breaks that starch down and makes the potato soft, which is why plain boiled or baked potato is an acceptable treat while the same potato raw is not.

The riskiest parts: green skin, sprouts and the plant

Solanine is concentrated in the skin, in any green areas, and in the eyes and sprouts of potatoes that have been stored in the light. Vines, leaves and green garden potatoes are the worst of all, so a dog digging in a vegetable patch is more at risk than one that grabs a dropped slice of peeled potato.

Potato peelings in the trash are a common route, because dogs eat them in large quantities and the peel is where the toxin sits. Use a lidded trash can or compost bin, and keep a dog out of the garden when potatoes are being harvested or the plants are being pulled.

My dog ate a raw potato: what to do

First, work out what was eaten: how much, whether it was green or sprouting, and whether it was peel, a chunk or plant material. A bite of peeled white potato usually causes nothing more than a mild upset. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet or poison line tells you to.

Call your vet or a poison line if your dog ate a lot of potato, any green potato, peelings or leaves, or if your dog is small. Severe poisoning is uncommon, but how serious it becomes depends on the dog's size and the amount and part eaten. A large whole chunk also deserves a call, because it may not pass.

How to serve potato safely, and how much

Peel the potato, cut away any green or sprouting spots, and boil or bake it until it is soft enough to mash, with no butter, milk, salt, garlic or onion. The AKC stresses that potato should be cooked soft so a dog does not choke on a half-cooked piece.

Treat it as a small extra. As a rough guide, for an occasional treat: under 20 lb, a tablespoon of mashed plain potato; 20 to 50 lb, two tablespoons; over 50 lb, about a quarter cup.

For dogs that gulp anything new, a slow feeder bowl or a lick mat keeps portions small and eating slow.

Puppies and raw potato

Puppies chew everything, and a cube of raw potato is just the right size to lodge in a small throat or gut. Their smaller bodies also mean the same amount of solanine has a bigger effect, so a puppy that eats peelings or a green potato should be discussed with a vet sooner than an adult dog would be.

There is no reason to give a puppy potato at all while it is growing on a complete puppy food. If you want to offer a taste later, use a teaspoon of plain, cooked, mashed potato and watch the stool the next day.

Signs of potato poisoning and when to call a vet

Signs usually start within a few hours. Pet Poison Helpline lists vomiting, diarrhea, drooling and loss of appetite as the milder signs, and muscle weakness, tremors, loss of coordination and changes in heart rate in more serious cases.

Get your dog seen today if vomiting is repeated, if your dog is weak, wobbly, trembling or unusually sleepy, or if it ate a large amount or plant material. Go at once for collapse or trouble breathing. Gagging, retching without producing anything or a swollen belly after a big chunk can mean a blockage and also need a vet promptly.

Better alternatives to raw potato

If your dog likes crunchy vegetables, raw carrot sticks, green beans and cucumber slices are safe to give raw, cut to a size your dog cannot swallow whole. The ASPCA lists carrots and green beans among the snacks you can share, with the reminder to cut them small.

For a softer, starchy treat, plain cooked sweet potato or pumpkin works well, or a little cooked white potato as described above. Keep treats to a small part of the day's food, and ask your vet before adding new foods if your dog has a medical condition.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.