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Can dogs eat mashed potatoes, or is it harmful?

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes? You can share mashed potatoes with your dog cause it is rich in carbohydrates and has vitamin C and B6, magnesium, and iron. It also has additional minerals that your dog requires.

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes? Dogs can eat mashed potatoes. If you prepare the mashed potatoes at home, you can be sure there are no ingredients that may not be good for your dogs. Harmful ingredients in ready-made mashed potatoes are salt, gravy, butter, trans fat, onion, and artificial components that can make the mashed potato flavorful but a health risk for your dog.

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?

Harmful ingredients in commercially prepared mashed potatoes include salt, gravy, butter, trans fat, onion, and other artificial components that can make the mashed potato flavorful but a health risk for your dog. Mashed potatoes in supermarkets may have high salt content, which is unhealthy for your dogs. Some may even contain sour cream, garlic, or toxic onion powder. Another ingredient is milk, which is not for lactose-intolerant dogs. Although mashed potatoes can be fed to your pup, they should not be as often.

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes, and is it good for my dog’s health?

When served plain to your dog, mashed potatoes are safe to eat. Potatoes are rich in vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, and iron. It benefits your dog’s immune and nervous system and helps nutrient absorption for your dog.

However, ensure that you are not giving your dog mashed potatoes if they have high blood sugar or have diabetes. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates, and this will also cause your dog’s blood sugar to spike.

You may ask the vet if your dog will be allowed a minimal amount cause dogs also have their daily exercise, which can also help burn the extra calories from the mashed potatoes you will feed them.

Can My Dog Consume an Appropriate Amount of mashed potatoes?

Your dog can consume mashed potatoes in moderation as long as they have no salt or seasonings, but never put spices or herbs on the mashed potatoes!

Remember, do not prepare mashed potatoes with seasonings when feeding your dog mashed potatoes.

You can boil the potato, mash it, and let your dog enjoy it as it is. Unlike humans, dogs will notice less or no salt or added butter and spices.

When added to mashed potatoes, salt and seasonings make it unhealthy for your dog. Some commercially prepared mashed potatoes, such as those you can buy from fast-food restaurants, may have milk, garlic, onion, and even loads of salt in the mix.

Pair the mashed potato with meat

Since mashed potato is rich in carbs, it is ideal for pairing with protein. It can be lean meat that your dog will love. You can place the mashed potato on top of the meat so your dog will enjoy finishing the potatoes first to get to the more flavorful part. You may also use grilled chicken or turkey as the added protein.

Avoid too much fat in the mix

An added bacon and cheese may spoil your dog, and you will surely be their favorite human when you give them mashed potato with bacon and cheese, but again remember, you want them to have healthy growth. Bacon and cheese will not be helpful. Butter and added fat in the mix are also a no-no.

Avoid commercially made mashed potatoes

Most fast-food restaurants have this on their menu, and you may think this is the fastest way to have something as a surprise for your pet, or it can be the easiest way to buy a meal for your dog. Some mashed potatoes have preservatives and stabilizers that are not good for your dog’s stomach. Although some herbs and spices are not as harmful to your dog, it may be better if you make mashed potatoes at home. This way, you are sure of what you are feeding your dogs.

It is easy to make mashed potatoes for your dog cause you may also add some vegetables to make it more enjoyable. The steps are below.

  • Peel potatoes and cut them in half
  • Wash and chop the vegetables you plan on adding, such as cauliflower, broccoli, or carrots.
  • Fill a pot with water and then add the potatoes and vegetables. Then place the stove on high heat.
  • Once it boils, lessen the heat, and cover the pot. Allow the potatoes and other vegetables to soften.
  • Other vegetables may be separated earlier. Leave the potatoes till it is soft enough.
  • Remove the potatoes from the pot and mash them with broccoli and cauliflower. You can add the carrots after you dice them. It will add some texture to your dog’s mashed potato.
  • Let it cool before serving it for your dog to enjoy.

Common ingredients added to commercially prepared mashed potatoes can be unhealthy for your dog

Butter and Cream

It has a high-fat content, and if your dog has a regular serving of mashed potatoes with butter, sour cream, cream, and milk, this can cause them to add some weight.

High fat and calories are also not helpful to their heart health. It can lead to obesity and cause acute pancreatitis.

Milk

Some dogs are lactose intolerant cause once their mother feeds them, they cannot digest any milk products from their food. It can cause stomach pains, gas, diarrhea, and even vomiting. If your dog is not lactose intolerant, giving them an occasional ration of milk or yogurt is alright.

Salt

Some mashed potatoes offered in supermarkets or fast-food chains are flavorful and have a generous amount of salt. Although, for humans, this is alright if taken occasionally. For dogs, it should not be offered to them. This is doubly true if your dog has a kidney problem, heart problems, and liver issues or if your dog has already suffered from a urinary tract infection.

Their salt intake must be monitored, and anything you feed them should have a low amount of sodium or better if none.

Additional seasoning, spices, onion, garlic, and chives

For humans, mashed potatoes with onion or garlic powder enhance the flavor and perfect the taste. Chives also have the same effect on human food, but this is way too harmful if added to foods for dogs.

Onion, garlic, and chives belong to the allium family containing n-propyl disulfide, which can cause anemia in dogs. When n-propyl disulfide attaches to the red blood cells in dogs, the body fights these invaders off and, in the process, destroys red blood cells.

Dogs will show signs of pale gums, weakness, lethargy, black stools, and loss of appetite.

Gravy and black pepper

Gravy comprises fat, soup stock, seasonings, butter, and other herbs and spices. It also contains black pepper.

Gravy may also contain onion and garlic powder to enhance the flavor. It is not advisable to feed mashed potatoes laden with gravy.

If prepared at home and you are sure of the ingredients used in making gravy, it is alright for your dog’s mashed potatoes made from scratch.

Black pepper is not toxic to dogs but is not highly recommended as an addition to their food. It can cause gastric upset and can cause a burning sensation in your dog’s stomach.

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes, or Can it Be Harmful to Dogs?

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes, and can it be harmful? Any food that is too much can also be harmful to your pets. Your dogs are often fed mashed potatoes, which can lead to an upset stomach. Sometimes you don’t know how your dog will react to new additions to their meal. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates and calories, so they can cause added weight to your dog if given repeatedly.

Mashed potatoes are alright when given in moderation.

You can ask the vet if you can provide your dog with some mashed potatoes cause he will know what will benefit your dog. If your dog is not in the best of health, the vet will also identify which diet is better for your dog’s overall condition.

Can Dogs Consume potatoes in Raw Form?

It is not recommended to feed your dog raw potatoes cause of the element solanine found in them, which can be toxic to dogs. Cooking decreases solanine in potatoes, making it safe for dogs to eat them.

When ingested in high quantity, it can cause gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting or diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, breathing difficulty, and sometimes confusion.

Raw potatoes also contain chaconine, another digestive irritant to dogs and can also be toxic, as it can cause tremors and kidney function disorders.

Symptoms vary and will depend on the size of your dog, how much raw potatoes were consumed, and if your dog is healthy. Symptoms are often severe if the dog is tiny, not at the peak of health and if they have eaten too much of the stuff.

Your dog will undergo some tests if the vet suspects raw potato poisoning and will check your dog’s blood count, blood gas, glucose, kidney and liver functions, urinalysis, and a chest x-ray. During the consultation, they may also do an ECG depending on your dog’s heart rate.

Treatment will include medicine that will induce vomiting and activated charcoal as it helps absorb poison or toxins in the belly.

The vet will also require sedation for your dog and the use of IV or oxygen therapy. Other medicine and procedures will be required, depending on the assessment of your dog’s condition.

Your dog may be playful, and sometimes you are used to them getting things on top of the table, or they may reach for food on any surface in your kitchen, make sure that you have all the food tucked in safely so your dogs will not have access to food that may be toxic to them.

Simple & Safe Ways to Serve mashed potatoes to Your Dog

It is better to serve your dog with mashed potatoes you made yourself

If you love your dog and don’t want them to have any health issues in the long run, you will choose personally prepared mashed potatoes from instant mashed potatoes.

Always ensure that the potato is thoroughly cooked and no raw portion is left

It is better to cut the potatoes in half when boiling, as this will ensure that the potatoes are well cooked. The toxic chemical that a raw potato contains decreases or is eliminated during cooking.

Slice the boiled potatoes into bite-size pieces if you are not planning to mash them

Bite-sized pieces make it easier for your dog to enjoy their potatoes. It is better if it is mashed as your dog can feed on their potatoes faster. While eating hurriedly, some dogs may choke on potatoes if they are not sliced into smaller pieces.

Do not overfeed them with mashed potatoes

Potatoes have high sugar content and should be given on rare occasions. It is also high in carbs, which is not helpful to obese and diabetic dogs. When you have a diabetic dog, please do not give them mashed potatoes.

Prepare mashed potatoes as simply as possible

Plain mashed potatoes are the best for your dogs—no need for gravy, milk, sodium, or other ingredients. You only need to make sure you have boiled it throughout.

Always get the advice of the vet

If your dog is not the active type and you don’t bring them outside for their daily exercise, then it is just normal not to give them too much-mashed potatoes. It will be difficult for a dog who is not active to burn off the excess carb, which can turn to fat in no time, which can then cause obesity.

When unsure how your dog will accept food additions, ask your vet before introducing such. It is essential, specifically if your dog is also facing health issues.

Some foods, although considered safe for most dogs, may not have the same effect on your dog. It is best to be on the safe side.

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Can dogs eat mashed potatoes, or is it harmful?
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