Can Dogs Eat Potato Peels? Everything You Need To Know

No, dogs can’t eat potato peel. Potato peels are extremely harmful and proven to be health hazards for dogs. In addition, the raw uncooked potato peels contain poisonous chemicals that naturally occur in the potatoes. Hence making it vulnerable food for your canine.

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Table of Contents

What Is Potato Peel?

Potato peels are potato skin, considered a good and beneficial human food with a great source of anti-bacterial and anti-oxidants. Although the potato peels contain oxalates and solanine, chemical compounds that are deemed to be dangerous for your canine.

Is Potato Peel Safe For Dogs?

No, potato peels are not a safe food for your dogs. These peels have oxalates and solanine. According to the vets, even a small amount of oxalates can cause severe health damage related to digestive issues, kidney failure, heart diseases, abnormal heart rhythm, weakness and lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive salivation and muscle weakness. Therefore, one should never feed their dog with potato peels.

Why Are Potato Peels Bad For Dogs?

Potato peels are health hazards for your canine. They contain oxalates, that is a poisonous chemical compound. It is a naturally occurring chemical in various plants.

Oxalates: Both insoluble and soluble oxalates present in the potato peels are unsafe for your canine. Insoluble oxalates cause problems like:

Skin irritations
Kidney problems
GI issues
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Intestinal issues
Digestive problems

Whereas soluble oxalates bind with calcium and magnesium within the bloodstream and easily absorb into the bloodstream causing more damage to the vital organs like the heart, liver, kidney, and metabolic system, resulting in:

Cardiovascular issues
Kidney damage
Liver damage
Immunocompromised gut

Apart from oxalates affecting your dog’s health, here are some common side effects of potato peels:

Weakness and lethargy
Lack of appetite
Digestive
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Increased level of salvia
Frequent Urination
Hematuria

Potato peels can also cause potato poisoning. The symptoms of potato poisoning may include:

GI issues
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Cardiac Issues
Fever
Low body temperature
Seizures
Trembling
Paralysis
Death

Solanine Poisoning

They contain a toxic chemical called Solanine that causes gastrointestinal irritation that may lead to vomiting and diarrhea. The effects of solanine poisoning on dogs are pretty dangerous. It is better to contact your veterinarian immediately and tell them what has happened. You should also monitor your dog’s appetite, vomit, and stool for signs of increased or decreased frequency.

How Much Potato Peel To Feed Your Dog?

Potato peels should not be served to the dogs, even in small amounts. Even a small amount of seasoned, uncooked, or cooked potato peels are considered to be very dangerous for your canine. Therefore, potato peels should be kept away from the reach of your small or big dog.

What If My Dog Ate Potato Peels?

If your canine has accidentally consumed the potato peels, then first and foremost, try to remove the potato peels from their mouth and make them drink plenty of water immediately. Water can help to pass the peels through their stools and urines.

You may notice some signs like:

Running loose stools
Fatigue
Tremors
Throwing up
Arrhythmia
Depression
Seizures
Digestive system disorders
Loss of appetite

The pet parent must immediately take his dog to the veterinarian and proceed for treatment if the above signs and symptoms appear in your dog(s).

Alternatives to Potato Peels

Always choose healthier alternatives for your dog. Here goes a list of other options to feed your dog:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can dogs eat cooked potato peels?

No, potato peels are incredibly unsafe for dogs. Any potato peels, cooked or uncooked, can cause your dog severe health hazards. In addition, potato peels contain a poisonous chemical compound that leads to potato poisoning in dogs.

Can a dog eat mashed potatoes?

Yes, you can treat your dog with mashed potatoes. Potatoes can be served in moderation to your canine as long as they are not boiled, seasoned, and mixed with milk or butter. However, the mashed potato doesn’t contribute any nutritional benefit to your dog. So it is better to serve them in moderation.

Can dogs eat cooked potatoes?

Yes, dogs can eat cooked potatoes. Cooked or roasted potatoes are safe and have a good vitamin A, iron, and calcium source. Cooked potatoes are even added to many dog food as the main ingredient.

Can dogs eat raw potatoes?

No. Raw potatoes are not something to be served to your canine. Raw potatoes contain solanine that can cause stomach upset and GI issues to the dogs. Cooking or baking the potatoes reduces the solanine and is considered safe.

Can dogs eat cooked sweet potatoes?

Yes, sweet potatoes are considered more nutritious than white potatoes. The cooked sweet potatoes have the benefits of Vitamin A, C B6, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Final Thoughts

We can now conclude that the potato peels are considered severely unsafe for dogs, whereas the cooked potatoes can be served and are beneficial to the canine species. Peels of any vegetables contain oxalates that are supposed to harm the vital organs and system of the canine. So before serving any vegetable, it is necessary to remove the peels and cook the vegetable thoroughly before serving them to your dog. To avoid any severe health hazard, contact your vet immediately.