🥔 Can Dogs Eat Mash Potato? - Raw is Dangerous

Can dogs have mashed potatoes?

The answer is yes! If they don’t react badly to them. However, there are many different types of potato products out there that are consumed by us humans, so we’ll need to look into those first before giving our opinion on whether or not dogs should eat mash potatoes.

While it is perfectly fine and safe for dogs to consume a variety of foods that are commonly found in our diets, they can be harmful if fed certain ingredients such very high starchy food. This article will discuss what types of food are okay for dogs to eat, how much they need, and why this information matters.

Potato products for humans 🙋‍♀️

There are two main categories of potatoes used in human foods: white potatoes and sweet potatoes. White potatoes contain more starch than sweet potatoes do, which means that when you mash them up, they turn into a thicker consistency. Sweet potatoes, however, tend to stay chunky even after being muddled with water.

White potato vs. Sweet potato - which is better 🤔

When choosing between these two varieties, remember that both are good sources of carbohydrates and fiber. The only difference is that one has slightly less sugar content than the other and less starch. So while white potatoes may seem like an obvious choice because they’re easier to digest, they also contain higher levels of naturally occurring sugars so it’s a trade off. On top of that, some people believe that white potatoes cause digestive issues in pets due to their higher glycemic index.

Sweet potatoes, meanwhile, are lower GI and therefore better suited for diabetic pups who struggle with blood glucose control. In addition, they provide extra vitamins A, C, E, K, B6, folate, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, selenium, iron, calcium, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin D, and beta-carotene. Lets look into the benefits of these for dogs below.

Vitamin A - Deficiency can lead to skin problems and other health issues

While all of these nutrients are important for overall health, vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin. It’s essential for keeping hair follicles strong and preventing dryness, itching, and irritation. Vitamin A deficiency leads to poor coat quality, brittle nails, and cracked paws.

Vitamin C - Helps keep bones strong & healthy

Another benefit of eating sweet potatoes 🥔 instead of white ones is that they contain significantly more vitamin C. According to research published by the American Society for Nutrition, adults require around 75 mg per day. That amount comes from about 1 cup cooked sweet potatoes. Meanwhile, white potatoes typically contain just 10% of the recommended daily allowance.

Vitamin B6 - Supports nervous system functioning

In addition to helping keep your dog’s bones strong, vitamin B6 helps maintain proper nervous system functioning. When your pet suffers from neurological disorders, including epilepsy, seizures, tremors, muscle spasms, and anxiety, he/she needs adequate amounts of this nutrient to function properly and B6 can make a big difference.

Fiber - Promotes digestion & regularity

Both white and sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber. This helps keep your dogs digestion moving along smoothly, promotes regular bowel movements, and keeps things running smoothly inside your pup’s body. When combined with adequate amounts of protein, fat, and carbohydrate, it provides energy for your pet throughout the day.

Are Potato chips ok?

While many brands claim that they’re made using all natural ingredients, there’s no guarantee that they actually adhere to those standards. Some companies use artificial flavors or preservatives as well. If you want to make sure that your dog isn’t getting any harmful chemicals, stick to foods that come straight out of nature.

Sweet potatoes also contain antioxidants called carotenoids, including lycopene, lutein, and phytofluene. These compounds help protect against cancer, heart disease, cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, arthritis, vision problems, skin conditions, and more.

So, which type of potato chips would make the best meal for your pet? Well, since chips generally have a ton of added fat through the cooking process via oil, and lots of sodium added, we recommend avoiding giving your dog.

Can dogs eat raw potatoes?

In general, you can share cooked potatoes with your four-legged friend as a treat following the 10% rule, which states treats should make up no more than 10% of your pet’s daily calories.

Raw potato consumption has been linked to pancreatitis in some cases. This condition occurs when digestive enzymes break down proteins into smaller pieces, causing inflammation 🔥. Pancreatic problems aren’t common among dogs, but they do occur occasionally.

However, even though raw potatoes may pose risks to certain breeds, cooked ones don’t necessarily present the same dangers. If you decide to feed your dog raw potatoes, be sure to cook them thoroughly before serving so that all harmful bacteria have been killed off. If you choose to serve them uncooked, then you’ll need to ensure that they remain fresh until you give them to your dog.

What a the risks of potatoes for dogs?

Like other vegetables belonging to the nightshade family, raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound that can be toxic to dogs, so cooked them first.

So, should I feed them?

When you think about homemade treats or food you can cook and share with your dog, you probably think of foods like bone broth, grilled meat or fruit, and vegetables. A note about potatoes is that the FDA is doing research into increased reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Like any other treat, too much can upset your dog’s stomach and lead to vomiting diarrhea.

If you add something extra to your mash such as gravy, ketchup, sour cream, etc., then you may cause an allergic reaction in your dog. If you notice your pup having trouble breathing after eating mashed potatoes, stop immediately and call your vet as this will be a reaction.

How to prepare safely for your dog

To keep your dog happy while enjoying mashed potatoes, follow these steps:

Step 1: Wash hands thoroughly before handling food Wash your hands well using soap and warm water. You want to remove any dirt or germs on your skin that could transfer onto your dog’s paws.

Step 2: Cook potatoes properly Cooking potatoes correctly prevents many health issues. Boil potatoes whole, peel them, cut them into small chunks, and drain excess liquid. Then let cool completely before mashing.

Step 3: Mash potatoes carefully Mashed potatoes are easy to digest because they’re broken down by enzymes found naturally within our bodies. However, when preparing mashed potatoes for your dog, avoid over mixing. This causes lumps to form in the mixture. Instead, gently mix ingredients together just enough to combine.

Step 4: Add salt Salt helps break down proteins and fats in food, making digestion easier. Adding a small amount salt to your dog’s meal will prevent bloating and gas from forming.

Step 5: Serve them slowly, don’t give too much in one serving You don’t want your dog to choke on his dinner. When feeding your dog mashed potatoes, start out slow and gradually increase portions as he gets used to it.

In conclusion, if you plan to make mashed potatoes for your dog at home, remember to use caution and common sense. Always wash your hands thoroughly prior to touching anything else. Also, never leave your dog unattended while cooking. And lastly, always supervise your pet during meals in case of any reactions to new food, thanks for reading 💗.