Introduction
Dogs have a reputation of scoffing almost anything that comes across their path, however, as with us; you should monitor your dog’s diet.
A helpful tip in stopping dogs from overeating or consuming a lot of calories is by providing vegetables and fruit as an alternative of meat and the usual dog titbits.
Though, some of them are not good for your dog to eat.
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Are potatoes one of those? Let’s see!
This article will focus on the humble potato and whether or not dogs can eat them?
And are there any benefits or risks involved?
Both these questions, among others, will look at in significant detail below.
Are Veggies Good in My Dog’s Diet?
It’s a Lifestyle
We well know that dogs do not only eat vegetables and fruit.
Even though vegan and vegetarian lifestyles are growing in popularity among humans, dogs are different to us and could become unhealthy on such a diet.
While it’s rare to come across canines on a vegan or vegetarian diet (except if prescribed by a vet) dogs can enjoy veggie treats occasionally.
A dog’s instinct will always lead him to meat and he will always prefer the taste, feel and the scent of meat.
Vegetables provide a welcomed crunchy texture and varied flavor and feel.
Veggies can therefore provide something new to the taste buds while saving money at the same time.
An even healthier option is providing homegrown vegetables as they will be organic and not have dangerous chemicals and insect killers.
So now the question is, if eating vegetables is healthy for my dog and they enjoy it, why not feed it?
Good Vegetables v Bad Vegetables
Remember that while veggies are a brilliant addition to your dog’s diet, some vegetables are better than others.
We can measure vegetables on the beneficial spectrum.
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So while come could be great, some are not so good and some find themselves in the middle in terms of the nutritional benefit offered to your pet.
We should avoid vegetables containing seeds as the seeds can have cyanide, which is poisonous for your dog.
Seeds are a choking hazard and can obstruct the alimentary canal if not broken down.
Thoroughly researching how safe different types of vegetables are is very important.
Some safe options are; green beans, carrots, celery, and peas.
Besides ticking the tasty box, they also offer your pet essential amino acids, vitamins and additional nutrients.
A further benefit is that we can easily produce these veggies at home, away from harmful chemicals.
Oppositely, avocado, onions and garlic are very dangerous as they could be poisonous.
Where your dog eats these items, it requires urgent medical attention.
Garlic and onions are dangerous as they are toxic enough to cause death.
Similarly, the pits of avocado are a choking risk and can lead to it blocking the intestine.
Therefore, one should ensure that this product is out of reach and that your pet cannot get to it, ideally in a tall closet.
Should you grow these plants for your use, it is advisable to build a strong fence that encloses the plant or tree and keep an eye on your pooch while outside.
Potatoes…. What Should I Know?
Dogs definitely can enjoy potatoes from time to time and in moderate amounts.
Potatoes alone?
Potatoes are involved in a rather heated debate concerning feeding them to your pooch.
Nature never intended for dogs to live on potatoes alone, we could survive better than dogs, but it is not ideal for us either.
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While humans can stay alive during famines on potatoes alone, they will more than likely be malnourished and suffer from weight gain and high sugar levels.
This is because when we digest potatoes they become sugar, which then turns into fat.
Similarly, dogs also store potatoes as fat, except if it burns the calories immediately.
Therefore, we recommend that you only offer small portions from time to time.
Are Potatoes Poisonous to your Dog?
Going no further, you must know that potato stalks and leaves are poisonous and your dog must never eat them.
Similarly, tomato plants are also toxic, therefore if you are raising these plants in your veggie patch, your pet must not have access to them.
Achieve this by erecting a sturdy barrier around the poisonous plants or keeping a watchful eye over your pooch when outside.
Leaving your pet to their own accord with a tempting veggie garden may cause him eating something poisonous and causing harm.
How About Raw Potatoes?
Something else you must be mindful of is that we cannot feed raw potatoes to our pooches (or any other animal).
This is for two reasons:
· It is a choking risk; and
· Your dog would suffer from stomach pain as it is difficult for him to digest.
Remember that it is not standard practice for a dog to chew before swallowing and this is true not only for potatoes but all food.
Therefore, a dog will attempt to gulp down a potato in its entirety, or at most, bite it in half beforehand and then swallow.
A dog cannot break down a hard potato adequately enough to get it down safely.
Cooked potatoes are a much better option for your pooch, examples of such are; baked potatoes, stewed, pureed, French fries, steamed or mashed.
This is because they are bite-sized, easy to get down and easier to digest.
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There are many options including mixing mashed or pureed potato with quality pellets, adding flavor and substance to the meal.
Provided you cook the potatoes, they will be a great treat for your dog to enjoy from time to time.
Feeding your pet potatoes in excess could cause harm to your pet.
As the wise proverb says, lots of anything is a bad thing and it has never been truer than for dogs.
Therefore, moderation is key when serving potatoes.
Remember that when serving potatoes they should be bland, leaving salt, butter or sugar off the menu.
Salt should anyway never be in your dog’s diet, nor should sugar as it can cause diabetic dogs to slide into a coma.
However, potatoes that are cooked, soft and bland are suitable.
Sweet potatoes are also a suitable menu option, provided that we serve them the same way as their regular counterparts.
How Do I Introduce Potatoes to My Dog’s Diet?
Any time you wish to introduce a new food item into your pet’s diet, whether it is a fruit, or a vegetable or new brand of dog food, it is necessary to test it first.
Achieve this by limiting your dog to trying a little titbit so you can see whether it will be a recent favorite.
If your pooch enjoys the titbit and it doesn’t cause illness or an allergy, then you can consider it safe.
When you have seen that all is in order, you may carry on incorporating the new item, within this discussion, potatoes, into your dog’s diet.
It is important to remember that it is only a treat given from time to time.
Normally a dog’s diet cannot comprise solely vegetables, potatoes included.
It is wise to consult with your veterinarian on the potato options, for peace of mind.
What are the Rewards of Sweet Potatoes?
If you are considering the benefits, then sweet potatoes are the superior choice for your pooch.
They have great cardiac benefits and help in reducing blood pressure.
It also benefits your dog’s digestive system and helps manage weight.
Besides, they are abundant in vitamins B, C, E and A and also have a high fiber component, making it the ideal vegetable treat for your canine.
Conclusion
To conclude, while we should approach potatoes with caution, they are safe for your dog.
Particularly with sweet potatoes as besides from being tasty they are also super beneficial for your dog.
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This is because they are rich in a wide variety of vitamins and assist with health problems like elevated blood pressure and cardiac issues.
Also, the fiber content is good for your dog’s digestive system.
Sweet potatoes are a wonderful treat occasionally for your pet.
On account of sweet potatoes being an ideal titbit for your pooch, you could want to snag some nibbles for yourself as well!
As always, if you have any doubts it is best to consult your veterinarian for peace of mind.
