Can dogs eat potatoes? And cats?
Plain cooked potato is fine. Raw or green potatoes contain solanine.
Cooked plain potato is safe but pointless for a carnivore; raw and green are toxic.
Cooked, plain potato (boiled or baked, no butter, salt or toppings) is safe for dogs and cats in modest amounts. Raw potatoes, peels and any potato with green tint contain solanine, the same toxin as green tomatoes. Fries and chips fail on fat and salt rather than toxicity, but they still fail.
Signs to watch for
- Raw or green: vomiting, weakness, confusion
- Fried: stomach upset from fat and salt
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control people-foods guidance, Merck Veterinary Manual, Pet Poison Helpline. Verdicts are conservative by design: where evidence is thin we choose the stricter rating.
This is general educational information, not veterinary advice. When in doubt about your own pet, ask your veterinarian.
If your pet just ate something risky, act now: call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (consultation fees may apply).