Yellow: with caution
Yes, but only cooked, plain and never green. According to the American Kennel Club, cooked, unseasoned potatoes are fine for dogs in moderation. Raw and green potatoes are not.
Why green potatoes are dangerous
The potato is a member of the nightshade family and contains glycoalkaloids such as solanine and chaconine. The University of Zurich’s CliniTox toxic plant database classifies the plant as highly toxic. Particularly high concentrations occur in sprouts, foliage, flowers and berries, and in the skin of tubers that have turned green in the light. Cooking barely breaks these substances down, although a large proportion passes into the cooking water. According to CliniTox, sound tubers stored in the dark do not cause poisoning.
How to serve potatoes
- Cook until soft: Boil or bake them until soft enough to mash. This prevents hard pieces getting stuck in the throat.
- Discard the cooking water: Do not pour it over your dog’s food.
- Discard green potatoes: According to the AKC, potatoes with green patches or sprouts should never go in a dog’s bowl.
- No butter: Serve plain, without milk, salt or seasoning. According to the AKC, a lot of butter can contribute to pancreatitis.
- No chips or crisps: Deep-fried foods are fatty and salty.
- Count them towards the daily total: Potatoes provide energy and count towards the daily food allowance.
What if your dog has eaten raw or green potatoes?
If your dog has eaten raw, green or sprouted tubers, peelings from the bin or potato foliage in the garden, call your vet. Explain what was eaten, roughly how much, when and how much your dog weighs. The AKC recommends seeking veterinary attention immediately if your dog vomits, has diarrhoea, seems lethargic or shows muscle weakness.
If you suspect poisoning, go straight to your vet or an emergency veterinary service.
Check whether your dog is getting the right amount of food in just a minute with our feeding calculator. Our book takes a closer look at feeding: “Hundeernährung und Futterplan” (book in German). For those first weeks with a puppy, try our free Puppy Starter Pack, and for a picture of your dog to hang on the wall, explore dog portraits from your own photo or choose a single portrait.
Further reading
- Adding rice and potatoes to dog food: how to account for extras
- Calculating your dog’s food portions
- Is my dog overweight? How to assess body condition and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: American Kennel Club, Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?; CliniTox Pflanzengifte, Universität Zürich: Solanum tuberosum; Massey University, Poisonous Plants: Potato.
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