Mashed potatoes are one of those comfort foods that everyone loves. But can dogs eat mashed potatoes? The answer is, yes, they can – but there are some things to keep in mind.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the nutritional benefits of mashed potatoes for dogs, some potential risks, and serving ideas to make this tasty treat even more enjoyable for your pup.
But first…
Can My Dog Eat Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, absolutely! Mashed potatoes are packed with nutrients and will be a great addition to your dog’s diet. Potatoes contain vitamin C, B6, and potassium – all of which can benefit your dog.
Your dog will also get a boost of dietary fiber from mashed potatoes which can help with digestion issues or obesity.
Nutritional Value Of Potatoes
You may not have been aware that potatoes are packed full of nutrients. Here is some of the nutritional value of potatoes:
Vitamins
Potatoes are packed full of some essential vitamins, including vitamin C and B6. Vitamin C helps your dog make collagen which is key for healthy skin, bones, and more.
Potatoes also contain vitamin B6 which is important for protein metabolism. Furthermore, vitamin B6 aids in forming neurotransmitters which are important for your dog’s nervous system.
Potatoes are a great source of vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, and folates. These vitamins are all essential for your dog’s overall health.
Minerals
Potatoes are rich in minerals that can benefit your dog’s health as well.
For example, it contains Potassium, which is a mineral that helps improve muscle function and strength. It is also an important electrolyte that can help with healthy body weight.
Potatoes are also rich in iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc. These minerals are important for healthy bones and teeth, nerve signaling, energy production within cells, growth of new cells (healing), blood cell formation (anemia prevention), and amino acid metabolism
All of these minerals are essential for your dog’s overall health as well as helping to maintain a shiny coat, healthy teeth, and strong nails.
Carbohydrates
Potatoes contain carbohydrates that are necessary for your dog’s body. In fact, dogs need carbohydrates to survive as they provide the main source of energy.
In addition, potatoes also have a low glycemic index – which means it won’t cause a spike in your dog’s blood sugar levels. This is beneficial for dogs who suffer from diabetes.
Potatoes also contain dietary fiber, which your dog needs to stay healthy. Dietary fiber can improve digestive health, reduce the risk of obesity, and lower blood cholesterol levels.
Risks Of Eating Mashed Potatoes For Dogs
Like with any new food your dog may be unfamiliar with or is not used to, there are some risks you need to be aware of. These include;
Vomiting
Potatoes can sometimes be difficult for your dog’s stomach to break down and digest. In some cases, eating potatoes may result in vomiting.
This is especially true if you feed your dog too many carbs without giving them time to digest. If they eat a large amount of potatoes, this can result in stomach pain and lead to vomiting until the food is digested.
Obesity
Eating too many mashed potatoes can be bad for your dog’s waistline. If you feed your dog too many carbs without giving them other nutrients, they will gain weight.
You may also notice that dogs who eat too many carbohydrates may start to smell like yeast or sugar. This is because their bodies are unable to break down the carbs and this results in a build-up of yeast in their bodies.
In addition to eating too many potatoes, feeding your dog foods that have a high glycemic index can have the same result. This includes foods such as white bread, pasta, and rice.
Some dogs are more prone to obesity or weight gain than others, so be sure to be aware and monitor their weight.
Diarrhea
Some dogs may experience gas, bloating, and diarrhea after eating potatoes. This can be due to the high amount of starches it contains.
Too much starch can cause problems like; flatulence, stomach upset, and changes in your dog’s stool. Mashed potatoes contain carbohydrates that can ferment, resulting in gas and diarrhea.
It is possible to feed your dog potatoes without these issues; the key is moderation. The more you feed your dog potatoes or mashed potatoes, the higher the risk of them experiencing gas, bloating, or diarrhea.
Mashed Potatoes For Dogs – Serving Ideas
Serving potatoes to your dog is not only highly nutritious, it also has benefits for their skin and coat. However, what if they won’t eat it? Here are 3 ways to serve mashed potatoes for dogs;
#1 – As A Topping On Their Food
Serve it as a topping to their kibble or regular dry dog food. By adding it as a topping, you will be able to cover up the smell of other foods your dog may find unappealing.
That way, your dog won’t notice that their food is blended with mashed potatoes and they will also benefit from the vitamins and minerals it contains.
You can introduce it as a special treat that they can munch on once or twice a week.
Be sure not to add too much as this could change the texture of their kibble or make it soggy.
#2 – As Part Of Their Balanced Meal
Another way to serve mashed potatoes for dogs is to blend them with your dog’s regular meal. This works best if you are using commercial foods that contain vegetables and other healthy ingredients.
Dogs love the taste of meat, so adding mashed potatoes will provide variety in their diet while still giving them the nutrients they need.
By giving it as part of a balanced meal, you can also ensure that your dog gets the optimum amount of nutrients they need without overfeeding them.
#3 – Unseasoned
It is always best to give your dog mashed potatoes unseasoned.
Adding too much salt or other seasonings can upset their stomach and lead to vomiting or diarrhea as well as additional health problems like dehydration.
If your dog does not like the taste of potatoes, you may want to try adding a little butter. This will make the potatoes smell and taste more appetizing.
However, you should avoid giving them garlic or onion powder. These are known to be toxic to dogs, causing them to suffer from anemia.
People Also Ask
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes With Butter?
Yes, they can so long as it doesn’t contain any other seasonings and you do not add too much. While a little butter is no problem, dogs do not need lots of saturated fat in their diet.
Can Dogs Eat Instant Mashed Potatoes?
While yes they can eat them, instant potatoes are not a healthy choice for dogs. First, they contain too high an amount of sodium and secondly, instant potatoes usually come with seasonings that can upset your dog’s stomach.
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes And Gravy?
No, it is not recommended. While mashed potatoes are fine to eat, gravy contains too much salt for your dog to handle. It may also have seasonings such as onion or garlic that are toxic to them, making it a bad choice.
Can Dogs Eat Frozen Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, as long as they are cooked, plain, and do not have extra seasonings. Frozen potatoes need to be fully defrosted before serving them to your dog. Although frozen potatoes may contain some salt, a little amount will not harm your dog.
Conclusion
Feeding your dog mashed potatoes is a good choice as long as you avoid adding in too many seasonings and stick with unseasoned, plain spuds.
It’s also best to feed them small portions and not more than once or twice a week.
Just remember that they should never replace regular dry dog food or kibble unless it’s for a treat or if you are using it to add other ingredients such as meat.
Mashed potatoes don’t just taste good; they’re also high in Vitamin C and potassium, both of which benefit your dog’s overall health.
Safely introduce mashed potatoes as part of a balanced meal and your pup will love you for it!potato
Do you feed mashed potatoes to your dog? What is your favorite mash potatoes serving?
Let us know in the comments below.
