“Can dogs eat mashed potatoes? This blog post is exactly going to deal with this question. The benefits of mashed potatoes, how to serve it, the additives, the harmful effects when served in excess, and more.
Dogs can eat mashed potatoes in moderation. Mashed potatoes do have some vitamins and antioxidants which are beneficial for dogs. Excess mashed potatoes can be harmful. Certain toxic additives like onions and garlic and certain harmful additives like butter and sour cream must be avoided. Instant Mashed Potatoes are not good for dogs.
What Are Mashed Potatoes?
Mashed potatoes are a dish made from boiled, peeled potatoes that are then mashed with some kind of garnish, seasoning, and other additives.
Some people like to add milk, cream, or sour cream to their mashed potato recipe which can make the dish creamy. They are popular as an accompaniment in many dishes. This is why people wonder if they can be giving it to their dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Mashed Potatoes?
Dogs can definitely eat mashed potatoes. However, they should only get small portions because it is high in carbohydrates and calories. This apart it cannot be given on a regular basis. An occasional treat with mashed potatoes is perfectly fine.
Mashed potatoes have vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which are beneficial for dogs. The most important thing about giving mashed potatoes to dogs is checking the ingredients.
If it is made at home there is a list of things that have to be avoided and if it is to be purchased, then, the Ingredients will have to be looked into.
This article is going to discuss all of these aspects so that you can give your dogs mashed potatoes in a safe and healthy way.
What Does Mashed Potato Contain? What Are The Benefits Of Mashed Potatoes For Dogs?
Fiber:
Mashed potatoes are a popular side dish for many people, but did you know that they also contain a lot of fiber? In fact, 100 gms of mashed potatoes contains about 6-7 grams of fiber. This helps blood sugar control and lowers cholesterol levels.
Vitamin A:
Vitamin A helps dogs in many ways, like keeping their vision healthy and preventing dry skin. It also protects against cancer!
Vitamin B6:
Mashed Potatoes contain vitamin B6 which is good for dogs. This water-soluble vitamin is important for maintaining your dog’s skin and tissue health. Plus, it can help keep your furry friend’s skin and coat looking shiny and healthy.
Vitamin C:
vitamin c for dogs and how to make sure your pup is getting enough of this essential nutrient. Vitamin C is beneficial in a number of ways, from boosting the immune system to helping wounds heal faster. Dogs need vitamin C to fight inflammation and aging too.
Potassium:
Dogs need potassium for many reasons: it’s an electrolyte, it helps regulate heart health, and it’s essential for muscle and nerve function.
Potassium deficiency can cause a wide range of health problems in dogs, from digestive issues to seizures. Fortunately, getting enough potassium is easy. Just serve them mashed potatoes.
Magnesium:
Dogs need magnesium because it helps with the metabolism of nutrients. Magnesium helps regulate blood sugar and maintain heart rate in canines.
Phosphorus:
Did you know that phosphorus is one of the most important minerals for your dog’s health? It helps to form and maintain bones and teeth, and also plays a role in improving the metabolism.
Calcium:
Dogs need calcium for all sorts of reasons, but we’ll focus on three: muscle building, healthy nervous system, and bones. Muscles contract and relax in order to create movement like walking or running.
Calcium helps with this process because it provides a mineral source that can be used during contraction by your muscles. The other thing calcium does for dogs is it helps their teeth grow strong and give them protection against tooth decay.
Antioxidants:
Did you know that antioxidants are also important for dogs? In particular, quercetin is a powerful antioxidant that can benefit dogs in many ways. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help keep your dog healthy and happy.
Quercetin is a natural compound found in plants that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has been shown to be beneficial for dogs with allergies, both in terms of reducing symptoms and preventing the development of allergies altogether.
Helps handle diarrhea:
In cases where a dog is going through diarrhea and needs to be fed bland food, mashed potatoes can be helpful. It can give the dog adequate calories from a small quantity. This can prove to be helpful in cases where the dog cannot be overfed.
What Are The Additives That Ought To Be Avoided In Mashed Potatoes For Dogs?
Garlic:
Garlic contains a substance called thiosulfate which is toxic to dogs. Even though garlic is a natural food, it contains toxins that can slowly poison dogs.
Although garlic is okay for humans it is not safe for dogs. Garlic can cause hemolytic anemia when dogs ingest enough. It may seem harmless, but garlic in mashed potatoes is one example that could be fatal for dogs.
Onion:
For dog owners, it’s important to be aware that onions can be toxic and even fatal to dogs. Onions are toxic to dogs and can cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting or lethargy.
The plant has different types of chemicals which have an effect on how harmful they will be for your pup depending upon what part is eaten; green Onions contain N-propyl disulfide (which damages red blood cells.
Pepper:
Pepper is amazing! Why would it be bad for my dog!?” Well, unfortunately, pepper can actually be quite harmful to our furry friends.
While it might not seem like a big deal to us humans, ingesting pepper can lead to anything from an irritated mouth and stomach upset to more serious health issues.
However, a teeny weeny pinch is not fatal. I believe erring on the safer side is always good and avoiding pepper is the best thing to do.
Butter Or Other Fats:
Butter is not good for dogs because it leads to pancreatitis, which can be fatal. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ near the stomach that helps with digestion and controls blood sugar levels. When a dog has pancreatitis they also have abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.
Dairy products & Sour cream:
Lactose intolerance can lead to diarrhea and other digestive issues, which means that it’s important to avoid foods with lactose. When it comes to mashed potatoes it’s not just one dairy product. It can range from 3-4.
This can cause discomfort in dogs and lead to upset stomachs and loose stools. In turn, leads to dehydration. So avoid using a combination of dairy products.
If your dog is used to dairy products and does not experience problems, then one dairy product in a very small quantity can be used.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324453
Salt:
Too much salt in mashed potatoes is bad for dogs? The sodium in the dish causes a chemical imbalance that makes their heart beat irregularly and affects other organs as well.
If the amount of salt is too high, this can be toxic to a dog’s stomach and lead to sodium poisoning. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirstiness, lethargy or lack of energy which may progress to seizures and death.
How To Prepare Mashed Potatoes For Your Dog:
Pick The Right Potatoes:
Potatoes are not just for cooking, but also great to feed your dog! They should not be raw. No growth on them. Not green. Here’s how to pick them out: potatoes that are firm and dark brown in color with no green spots or sprouts will give your pup a nutritional boost at mealtime.
Remove The Peel:
Mashed potatoes are a delicious and easy side dish for any meal, but did you know that you should remove the peel before feeding them to your dog? The peel of the potato is not safe for dogs to eat, as it can contain harmful toxins.
Raw Potato Is Bad:
Raw potatoes are toxic for dogs. So don’t make mashed potatoes from raw potatoes! Potatoes contain solanine which is a glycoalkaloid poison that can cause neurological problems in pets.
When cooked the levels of solanine remain stable. So make sure the potatoes are nice and brown and soft.
Parts Of The Potato Plant Are Unsafe:
Are you a dog owner who grows potatoes in your backyard garden or frequently makes mashed potatoes at home?
If so, you need to be aware of the fact that any part of the potato plant from flower to leaf is unsafe for dogs. They are highly toxic and must be completely avoided.
How To Serve Mashed Potatoes To Dogs?
Add A Protein Source/ Avoid Combining With Another Carbohydrate:
Do you make mashed potatoes for your dog? If so, remember that mashed potatoes are rich in carbohydrates. To make it ideal for dogs, try adding some protein sources like chicken.
This way you are ensuring that you are not giving your dog excess carbohydrates which may turn into sugar or fat. Do not combine the mashed potatoes with another carbohydrate source like rice etc.
Add Only Safe Vegetables:
Add only safe vegetables like Carrots, broccoli, fresh peas, green beans, and celery. They are all great choices for adding nutrition to your pup’s diet.
Not only will these vegetables make your dog healthier, but they will also help keep their fur looking shiny and healthy.
Serve Only As A Side Dish:
Potatoes contain large amounts of potassium which can lead to heart problems in dogs if they consume too much. There are other reasons too. So use mashed potatoes only as a side dish and not as a main course meal.
Avoid Salt:
No one likes to see their dog shake uncontrollably or vomit after eating, but it’s a common occurrence in dogs with high blood pressure. The culprit is often the salt found in the mashed potatoes.
So when you’re making mashed potatoes for dinner tonight, please don’t add any extra salt! A small pinch is fine, but it is not necessary.
You might not know how much you are adding which might be too much for your dog.
Harmful Effects Of Excess Mashed Potatoes For Dogs:
We all know that sharing is caring, but when it comes to your dog, you may want to keep that food all to yourself.
It has been found that dogs who eat too many starchy foods are at an increased risk for obesity, diabetes, allergies, and diarrhea.
So the next time you make mashed potatoes, remember excess of it for your dog is not a great idea just because your dog asks for more.
Things To Remember – Mashed Potatoes For Dogs:
Occasional:
Mashed potatoes are a staple in many households. Unfortunately, these tasty treats can be very harmful to your dog if given in excess. Potatoes contain high levels of starch that dogs don’t need. So serve it to your dog only on an occasional basis.
Start Small / Do An Allergy Test:
Start by feeding a small quantity of mashed potato, and checking for allergies in your dog. Observe your dog for a day or two if your dog negatively reacts to the mashed potatoes. You can then increase the quantity gradually. However, not as a full meal.
Don’t Serve To Diabetic Dogs:
Mashed potatoes can increase blood glucose levels in diabetic dogs. It is important to be careful when giving your dog any type of carb as it may cause their sugar levels to spike.
If you have a diabetic pet please consult with your veterinarian before feeding them anything that contains carbohydrates.
Do Not Serve Instant Potatoes:
It’s no secret that most instant potato recipes are loaded with salt, fats, and spices. While these ingredients make potatoes taste great, they’re not good for your dog’s health.
Unless you are sure of the ingredients, it is not worth risking it. It is possible that some raw potatoes could have been used too.
Wrapping Up:
Dogs can eat mashed potatoes as a side dish. However, there are some things you should be aware of before feeding your dog this particular food.
Avoid salted and spiced mashed potatoes because salt is bad for dogs in large quantities and spices may upset their stomachs.
When cooking the potatoes make sure to avoid adding fats like butter or oil to keep your pup healthy! Mainly, remember to avoid instant and packaged goods.
