Can dogs eat potatoes? Only plain and cooked
By the Photoshoot Pets team · Updated October 31, 2026
Your dog heard the potato bag rustle and is now sitting very politely at your feet. Good news: dogs can eat potatoes when they’re plain and cooked, as a small treat. The catch is the raw and green bits, and everything we usually put on potatoes. Here’s what’s safe, what isn’t, and how much to share.
Are potatoes good for dogs?
They’re not bad, they’re just not much. Cooked potato gives your dog some carbs and a bit of vitamin C, B6 and potassium, but their regular food already covers all of that. So think of potato as a bland little extra, not something your dog needs.
Potatoes are also starchy and fairly high in calories for their size. That matters if your dog is on the heavy side or has diabetes, because starch turns into sugar fast. For those dogs, it’s worth asking your vet before sharing at all.
One more reason to keep it small: the FDA has been looking into a possible link between some grain-free dog foods that are heavy in peas, lentils and potatoes and a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Nothing has been proven, and a bite of potato isn’t the same as a whole diet built on it. Still, it’s a good reason potato stays a treat, not a staple.
Which potatoes are safe?
| Potato | Okay? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Boiled or baked, peeled, plain | ✅ Yes | Cooked and unseasoned. Cool it and cut it small. |
| Plain mashed (no butter, milk or salt) | ✅ Yes | Fine in small spoonfuls. |
| Potato skins | ⚠️ Best avoided | Harder to digest, and that’s where green spots hide. |
| Mashed with butter, milk, cheese or gravy | ❌ No | Fat and salt can upset a dog’s stomach. |
| French fries and potato chips | ❌ No | Fried, salty and greasy. |
| Loaded potatoes (sour cream, chives, bacon) | ❌ No | Chives, onion and garlic are toxic to dogs. |
| Raw potato | ❌ No | Contains solanine, which is toxic to dogs. |
| Green potato, sprouts or eyes | ❌ No | The highest solanine levels are here. |
The green-potato problem
Potatoes belong to the nightshade family, and they make a compound called solanine. Raw potatoes have it, and the green parts, sprouts and “eyes” have the most. Cooking brings levels down, which is why plain cooked flesh is the safe part. If a potato has turned green or started sprouting, it goes in the bin, not the bowl.
Same goes for potato plants in the garden. The leaves and stems are off-limits for dogs, so keep curious diggers out of the veggie patch.
How much potato can a dog have?
Treats of any kind, potato included, should stay under about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. The rest should come from their regular, balanced food. In practice that looks like this:
- Small dogs: a couple of small, cooled cubes.
- Medium dogs: a few small pieces.
- Large dogs: a small handful of pieces.
Start with less the first time and keep an eye on their stomach. Once or twice a week is plenty. If your dog is diabetic, overweight or on a special diet, check with your vet first.
When to skip potatoes
- Diabetes: starchy foods can spike blood sugar.
- Weight loss plans: the calories add up quickly.
- Sensitive stomachs or pancreatitis: especially anything with butter or oil.
- Prescription diets: only with your vet’s okay.
Thinking about sweet potatoes instead? They’re a different food with their own rules, and you’ll find them in our A–Z list of human foods for dogs.
My dog ate a raw or green potato. What now?
Don’t panic, and don’t try to make your dog throw up unless a vet tells you to. A small nibble of raw potato often causes nothing at all, but solanine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness or confusion. The risk goes up with green potatoes, sprouts, a large amount, or a small dog.
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Tell them roughly how much your dog ate, whether it was green or sprouted, and your dog’s weight. They’ll tell you whether to watch at home or come in.
Quick answers
- Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?
- Plain mashed potato with nothing added is okay in a small spoonful. Holiday mash with butter, milk, cheese, garlic or chives is not.
- Can dogs eat potato skins?
- Best to skip them. Skins are harder to digest and can hold green, solanine-rich spots. Peel before sharing.
- Can dogs eat french fries?
- No. A dropped fry won’t usually hurt, but fries are greasy and salty, so don’t make it a habit.
- Can dogs eat potato chips?
- No. They’re fried, salty and often seasoned with onion or garlic powder.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different; talk to your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. If your dog ate something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Sources: American Kennel Club, ASPCA, FDA.