Dogs typically are going to beg for food when you are eating at the table. Now, unless your dog is trained not to beg, then be honest with yourself, you might want to give your dog some table scraps.
What table scraps are safe for your dog? People often ask, can you feed your dog mashed potatoes? Let’s dive deep into the facts and if you can feed your furry friend mashed potatoes.
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat mashed potatoes but not heaping portions of them. You can give your dog a little to taste or a small spoonful, but be mindful not to give your dog to much. As the old saying goes, less is more.
Mashed potatoes are not toxic to dogs but they don’t have the healthiest ingredients either. The ingredients mostly used in mashed potatoes are butter, milk, russet potatoes, and sometimes people put garlic or even sour cream in them. If you leave your potatoes plain, they will be much safer for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Instant Mashed Potatoes?
Instant mashed potatoes are not the best kid of mashed potatoes for your dog. Instant potatoes usually have added sugars, sodium, and processed ingredients in them that just aren’t safe for dogs.
Also, too much dairy is not good for a dog either. They can experience health problems such as diarrhea, bloat, and even constipation.
Can Dogs Eat Garlic Mashed Potatoes?
If you have made mashed potatoes and the recipe called for garlic, I highly suggest that you don’t feed it to your dog.
Garlic is not an ingredient that you should be feeding your dog. It can cause damage to the red blood cells in your dog’s body, and it can, in some cases, lead to anemia.
So, if you are making a garlic mashed potatoes recipe at home and you want to share with your dog, scoop them out a very small portion of plain mashed potatoes that they can eat.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes?
You may think that raw potatoes would be okay for your dog, but they are actually quite toxic. Potatoes belong to the family of nightshade vegetables.
These vegetables have solanine that is actually toxic for dogs. When you cook a vegetable that has solanine, it minimizes the effects and makes it much safer to eat.
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes are a much more nutritious option for dogs than regular potatoes. Sweet potatoes are full of vitamins such as vitamin C, B6, and A.
Some dogs do not like the taste of sweet potatoes. You will have to give your dog a little taste to see if they like it. When you mash sweet potatoes, they can be very stringy. Go ahead and give your dog some of the stringy parts; they usually have the most vitamins and minerals in them.
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes with Butter?
Butter is not an ingredient that you should be giving your dog. Fatty foods such as butter can give your dog horrible stomach pains and sometimes even diarrhea.
Dogs have a harder time breaking down lactose in their diet, so if you are making butter mashed potatoes for yourself, try and wait to add the butter after you portion some out of your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes with Gravy?
If you are from the south then you know you can’t have mashed potatoes without the gravy. You may be wondering if your dog can have a little scoop of gravy to go with their mashed potatoes.
Well, the answer to that is no, your dog should not have any gravy. One tablespoon of homemade or instant gravy can be more sodium that your dog can handle in a day.
Some gravy recipes can also have lots of fat or garlic in them, which is also an ingredient that your dog can’t really handle.
Can Dogs Eat Fast Food Mashed Potatoes?
Definitely not, your dog should not eat mashed potatoes from a drive through restaurant. First of all, the ingredient list on mashed potatoes from fast food restaurants are about a mile long, not literally, but there is a lot.
They put a lot of additives in the food, and it is usually high in sodium. Sodium is very bad for you and your dog. Skip the fast-food restaurant and make homemade mashed potatoes at home!
Can Dogs Eat Green Potatoes?
When a growing potato has been exposed to sunlight, it can turn green. The green on the potato contains a toxin in it. It is harmful to both humans and dogs but not as harmful to us.
The green part can contain solanine, which can cause vomiting or even diarrhea. In the most extreme cases, this can cause death.
If you see potatoes that have a green hue to it, it is best to throw it out for not only your dog’s safety but for yours as well.
Conclusion
So, yes, you can feed your dog a small portion of mashed potatoes. Make sure you make the potatoes plain without any salt, butter, cream, milk, or gravy. Your dog will love the little treat, and now when they are begging for your mashed potatoes, you can give them a little taste.
Also, remember to try mashed sweet potatoes because those contain more vitamins and nutrients for both you and your dog.
