Limited — cooked plain only

Can dogs eat potatoes?

Dogs can eat a little plain cooked potato. Raw potato and green skins are a skip, and fries or loaded potatoes are too rich.

Not medical advice — general pet-safety info only. Confirm with your vet before changing your dog’s diet.

Updated Aug 3, 2026 Category Nutrition

Alternatives to potatoes for dogs

Potato leftovers are easy to overdo. These treats portion better.

Sweet potato dog treats

Sweet-potato chews cover the starchy snack job more cleanly.

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Chicken and sweet potato dog treats

A combo treat replaces leftover mashed sides.

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Healthy dog treats

Everyday treats beat relying on potato scraps.

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How much is okay?

Use a few plain cooked cubes as an occasional add-in — not a potato side dish.

Small under 20 lb
1–2 small cubes
Keep it occasional and plainly prepared.
Medium 20–50 lb
2–3 small cubes
Keep it occasional and plainly prepared.
Large 50+ lb
3–4 small cubes
Keep it occasional and plainly prepared.

Rule of thumb: treats of all kinds should stay under ~10% of daily calories.

How to prepare them

  • Cook plain — boil or bake without butter, salt, or sour cream.
  • Serve soft cubes; skip raw and green potato.
  • Do not share fries, chips, or gravy-heavy mash.

Risks & exceptions

  • Raw and green potatoes contain solanine.
  • Butter, salt, and toppings make leftovers unsafe as treats.
  • Large starchy portions can upset stomachs.

Plain cooked potato is a small occasional; raw, green, or loaded potatoes are a skip.

If they ate too many

A larger portion or the wrong preparation is most likely to cause trouble.

  • Soft stool

Call your vet / pet poison line if:

  • Eating raw or green potato
  • Repeated vomiting after rich potato dishes

FAQ

Can dogs eat mashed potatoes?

Only plain — no butter, garlic, or onion.

Can dogs eat potato skins?

Skip green skins; plain cooked peeled flesh is cleaner.

Can dogs eat french fries?

No — oil and salt make fries a skip.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from product links. Safety guidance is editorial and may change — verify with your veterinarian for your dog.