Are Potatoes bad for Dogs?

No, when your dog is sick they usually tell you to make a bland diet of potatoes or rice and chicken

Yes, potatoes can be bad for dogs. Raw potatoes and potato peels are definitely bad for dogs. Many dog foods contain potatoes, and I personally would not feed my dog any of these brands. Some studies that I have read have said that certain carcinogens in pototoes just may be the cause of the cancer epidemic in dogs. Potatoes are a night shade root vegetable, just like an onion. Onions are deadly to dogs. I just wouldn't chance it.

Sorry for the bad advice, I have never had any problems with cooked plain potatoes and I was just going by my vets advice. Onions and tomatoes I know are bad, could it be the skins?

As far as I've read it is the whole potato itself.---skin and flesh. This is according to the latest study I've read about cancer in dogs.

Also the most poisonous part of the tomato is the plant itself---the stalks and leaves. Next would be green tomatoes. From what I've heard a dog would have to eat large amounts of ripe tomatoes for them to be a danger. So if a dog is out in your garden, it's best to keep your dog away, or at least cage your tomatoes to make it hard for them to get to.

Also just in case some people are unaware, mushrooms, large amts. Of brocolli, and of course any alcohol including beer, chocolate, raisins, and grapes just to name a few, are extremely toxic to dogs and can cause death.

I will only feed my dog a holistic dog food that is zero percent filler and all natural healthy ingredients. Even her treats.

Just another note. I'm sure that many people don't know this, but it's true. Some of the dog food brands that you buy at the supermarket, and often pet stores also, may contain road kill and other animal parts. In some cases dog parts! So, be careful and know what you're feeding your dog!

Starby, if you remember where you read it, could you please tell me where I can find that info?

The brand I buy for my pup makes top of the line hypoallergenic, probiotic, organic, single-protein source, nationally made (as in Italian with no foreign products) kibble. I know that potato is a big player used instead of rice in flavors of its adult versions (as in duck and potato, fish and potato). I remember trying a can of food with him by another very comparable brand, and it had visible pieces of peeled potato chunks in its salmon and potato version.

I have looked for more information, but what I've been able to find only warns against the leaves, skin, raw potato, sprouts or any green parts. Obviously I don't want to make my sweet puppy sick. If you could provide that info, I would really be interested in reading it.

This is the gist of what I've found in general:
Grapes, Nuts, and Your Dogs Health -- Foods that Fido should Avoid
Potato poisonings among people and dogs are rare but have occurred. The toxin, solanine, is poorly absorbed and is only found in green sprouts (these occur in tubers exposed to sunlight) and green potato skins. This explains why incidents seldom occur. Note that cooked, mashed potatoes are fine for a dogs health, actually quite nutritious and digestible.

(by the way, starby, if I'm not mistaken, I seem to remember you asking a question about homemade broth and dog safety some time ago because of the onion and/or garlic used in making it. This article seems to okay a little bit of it every now and then. There's a better method, though, and I'll throw it in if you're interested. When I make my own broth or stocks (which usually include onion and garlic, and occasionally leeks) I make a separate mini broth for the pup. No salt, onion, garlic or leeks. It's usually chicken and/or veal bones, carrots and celery as a base, but he's a veggie lover, so if I have a little something extra, it can also go in. fennel, a little broccoli, small bits of green beans, etc.. Before I include any of the broth in his food or freeze it in cold treats, I leave it in the fridge overnight to skim off any remaining fat that comes to the surface. While the veggies we use to make broth are usually disposed of, I keep his in a separate container. The fact that they're so soft makes them easier to digest, and the extra flavor makes them highly desirable to him for their tasty factor, and I'm more than happy to use as lower calorie treats during training. Food is an endless source of discussion in pets, isn't it? I'm glad to hear as much info as anyone's willing to give me, so keep handing it over!) ;) here's that link: Delicious for us, Dangerous to Dogs; Foods to Keep Away From Your Dog | Comprehensive Dog Health & Medical Information Resources | Learn & Connect | FetchDog)

My Nana recued a dog many years ago and was advised to feed him potatoes. He had persistent diarrhoea and she eventually discovered it was the potatoes causing it.

In ones journey on this planet the one thing you can count on is opinion. 50 years ago, dogs ate table scraps potatoes included. I am a strong believer that pets should have the best food possible, that being people food, sorry this dog food nonsense has created massive breed problems, health issues and so much cancer it is not even funny. If I had the choice, there would be no commercial dog food, but in today's society of busy people, they do not have time to make it, but they can share their meals. As with people, there will be reactions with some canines to certain foods, BUT IN NO WAY could it be as damaging as 99% of the dog food products on the shelf today.

In 25 years, my dogs got people food and I never had any issues up to including grapes. Never judge what is best for most by what is not for minority. Because you and the 10% of the population is allergic to strawberrys, no one else is supposed to eat them. So in other words, when the majority of canines do well, do not discontinue what is good for most because of the few that don't.

I am not only a breeder that has tested many things, I come from a family of pet owners, all dogs lived very long lives, my parents Bichon on people food lived until 18 years of age, many of my veterans lived well beyond the breed "senior" age bracket, people asked what do you feed.

PEOPLE FOOD and as close to an all natural kibble as well!

There are believers in research, which changes daily, one day something is good and the next it is bad, and believers in what works, because I have seen it work. The link below really says it all, there are many more but only one well written one tells the tale.

Get The Facts

Strangely many of the messes healthwise with dogs that I clean up, are a direct result of diet, commercial pet food and getting back to all an natural health approach has cleaned them up totally. Your dog may be allergic to a commercial dog food that mine is not allergic to, should they stop all dogs from eating it?

My opinion is based on my personal research, and many years with mans best friend, in the end they love their tatties.

If you are feeding your dog anything they react to, then simply discontinue it, death is rare, but again, many die so that statistics are told and that we are aware of those statistics. This is true of people and pets. Most people are good and want what is best for their pets.

This family will continue with pototoes :-)

Just another humble opinion.

Canady
The natural forces within us are the healers of disease – Hippocrates

Canady, I have to disagree. Grapes? Sorry, but I've also owned dogs all my life, never bred them because I think there are enough breeders out there already, legit and otherwise. Grapes are toxic, it's not a case of allergies, a dogs system simply cannot handle grapes.

There are foods out there that aren't safe for dogs. Am I saying all human food isn't safe? No, but a lot of it isn't, grapes and potatotes are two of those.

You got lucky, but that doesn't mean that others will.

It's a lot like children and honey. Most people don't know that a child under the age of 1 shouldn't have honey, their system cannot tolerate it, it can cause botulism. Now our parents swear they put honey on our soothers and never had a problem, and I'm sure the majority of people don't, but does that mean you should take the chance? No.

Sorry, but grapes and potatoes, not for dogs.

Yes sorry we disagree on this one, as the type of breeder I was not only my dogs but all my puppies and their broods, never in 25 years were there any problems, again opinion, and tested, grapes were given to all my dogs as treats, never a problem, and in the wild, fox, wolf and coyote eat them as well.

Again research on the internet has been sought by all and this would be a matter of the majority vs minority will be find and some will take a reaction. MORE are dying from commercial foods via cancer then this would ever come close to killing.

I am also an ex nurse and what some people react to as toxic such as peanuts others don't, does not mean others cannot benefit from the good in it, and the few that take the reactions will have to stay away.

Still will not deprive any of my pets from it, and you had best not tell the Irish they cannot feed their dogs pototoes :-) my whole family in Ireland all feed their dogs this as well.

My brother bred Rotties, I the Chinese Shar Pei, for over 25 years, never a sick dog, and I have a 24 hour breed health hotline, no one has ever had a reaction. We all have choices with what works best, research does not always draw accurate conclusions, and not a soul out there could change my mind on my own research and what I saw work very well for a lot of dogs, but each to their conclusions on their own research. Mine was tested on many, and many generations. Whether you choose to try your children with peanuts is the same principle, they could die but more than likely will not, does not mean everything else has to stop eating them.

Canady
The natural forces within us are the healers of disease – Hippocrates

Canady, I would like to know, what benefits do grapes have for dogs health wise? Grapes don't have a lot of nutritional value.

As for foxes, wolves and coyotes, well, we don't have grapes in the wild where I live or potatoes unless these wild animals are raiding a garden, but, having said that, they're wild animals, they don't have the same digestive system then a domesticated dog.

Also, with peanuts (which I never mentioned) and children, most doctors recommend that you wait until a child is 4 before offering peanuts because allergies can develop if given to early. All doctors recommend waiting at least a year before introducing peanuts. Honey, well all doctors state it's not okay before 1 year of age. But, I digress, this thread isn't about children but dogs.

I have had bad effects with grapes, potatoes and dogs. My Aunts teacup poodle died because she fed him grapes. This was not a theory, but proven. My dog ended up at the vet for three days because of grapes. Potatoes caused severe diarrehea in the few dogs we gave them to.

I'm going to have to go with the vets, licensed breeders and scientific research on this one. But you have the right to disagree, as do I.

Grapes nutritional value
Grapes - Natural Benefits and Curative Properties

might just answer a few, I have links on my website for people to read, and decide for themselves.

Many dog foods now contain grape seed extract... hmmmm, and many natural disinfectants are now made of grape seed extract, grape seed oils, same thing.

Where you live you may not have wild grapes, we do all summer and the coyotes love them.

Kids get peanut butter in many forms at all ages, and whether you get a reaction at 2-3-4 or 5, it is what it is, an allergy, some will die from it, others will never be able to eat it again, but my point is, are you going to expect everyone to give this up because of potential dangers to some, I am not going to stop eating peanut butter and neither will my kids.

Would it not be better to post WARNING some dogs may react to grapes, start with one of two and see if you get any reaction.

The saying that too much of a good thing, stands true for most things, and when any animal has an overdose or gorges on of any of these foods/fruits/nuts in question, reactions may take place, and that goes with people as well, and it would have to take a lot.

But in reality, the percentage of problems based on the amount of dogs in this world, is so small, it is kind of like reactions to bee stings, spider bites, these will always take place.

Anyway I am a well known, respected breeder, my work is published in many places, and you will not find me posting unless I have had personal experience, that has worked for me, with what I post. I no longer breed, but remain dedicated to cleaning up *other breeder messes".

I have made my argument, and you have made yours.

I respect your opinion but again, what has worked for me and so many, must also be respected.


Respectfully
Canady


Only when the last tree has died, the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we cannot eat money. The Cree

I have to say that I totally disagree also Canady. Grapes are TOXIC to dogs, as are raisins. It just is not the odd case of grape and raisin poisonings. The link posted has nothing to do with dogs. That is for human consumption. Also grapes, and "grape seed oil" are two very different things, if you had done your research.

Coyotes are wild animals, and scavengers. They are not domesticated breeds as you should well know. Just like you wouldn't feed a domesticated cat, like you would a Tiger. We are talking about two totally different things when comparing a pet to a coyote!

You say you are a reputable breeder. Where and with whom are you licenced and registered? Have all of your dogs that you've bred had the required genetic testing? What are their blood lines?

You might want to take the chance of feeding your dog grapes or potatoes, but I sure won't. You seem to believe this is an allergic reaction, which is entirely not the case. This is not something which occurs in one in a thousand dogs. Even if it was, I'm not willing to take that chance. It's like playing russian roulette! Would I be willing to put a gun to my dogs head and take the chance by pulling the trigger? Of course not. Am I going to go against all of the research, scientific testing, trained and schooled veteranians and give my dog grapes. Not in this lifetime.

I know the ingredients in my dogs food, and it is a holistic food that is chalk full of all of the vitamins and minerals that she needs to live a happy healthy life. I have done an awful lot of research as well, and there is no way I would feed my dog the foods you've mentioned.

I will stick by the scientists and their many many years of research. I have seen with my own eyes, and heard too many horror stories to ever feed my dog people food. Their may be a few exeptions to that rule, but I would not do this on a regular basis. There are a few exeptions to the rule, but I would never do this on a regular basis.

Respectfully.

And you are ? What you would possibly know about my bloodlines, LOL or the clubs I belong too, which by the way were ALL. Where on this list do I have to answer to you with my private information. I will not even waste my time.

ALL MY DOGS WERE REGISTERED, north and south, GENETICALLY TESTED, OFA'd, OVC'd, AUTOPSIED and all veteran AUTOPSIES posted for any offspring to know the results, far and beyond many breeders today. Please do not challenge my breeding practices, they were pretty well unchallengeable and really to be quite honest none of your business as you obviously have problems the term *breeder* and in all honesty would love to see you definition of a breeder.

You think everyone on this forum has to agree with you, sorry this world is full of opinions and challenges, and really you leave no room for potential people wanting to breed to ask any questions without coming and bashing them to pieces.

Accept other peoples views other than your own.


Canady
The natural forces within us are the healers of disease – Hippocrates

Whoa, pull back your horses Canady! You are pretty defensive for someone that was just asked a few questions. I did not ask about your dogs being registered. It's not a hard thing to have your dogs papered. I was asking about your breeding credentials. You were the one that said you were a "reputable" breeder. I don't have a problem with experienced, licensed, and reputable breeders, and if that's what you are, you wouldn't have had a problem understanding or answering my questions.

In my experience, reputable breeders are more than happy to answer that question. A reputable licensed breeder goes through a long process of being subject to the testing of the bloodlines, DNA testing, as well as many strict guidelines that need to be upheld.

I did NOT bring up the subject of breeding. If you read back to your answers, YOU did! You have taken a thread that was about potatoes, to children and peanuts, and now to breeding! Now you are angry, and asking who "I" am? Well I would ask you the same question.

I think it's wonderful that you care for your dogs, but in an extremely overpopulated dog world, I do ask questions about blood lines and the proper licensing. There are too many dogs born to some inexperienced breeders, not to ask. Too many dogs aren't properly cared for, and the numbers are just too high if people are doing it without knowledge. I'm not saying you are one of these people. I'm saying this is why I ask these questions!

I would like you to show me scientific proof of ALL of these "shelf dog foods" as you call them, causing cancer in dogs. You did state that you would do away with ALL of them. I absolutely agree that MANY dog foods, especially the low end supermarket foods are very very bad for dogs, and have fillers and ingredient that are definitely NOT beneficial, but I have yet to see a study that has said that these have caused cancer in dogs.

I would also like you to show me scientific proof, along with the medical proof of the benefits which you are claiming to have clear knowledge. You are also comparing foxes, wolves and coyotes, to a domesticated dog. I can have a animal biology expert come and explain the difference to you if you would like.

There was no reason to come here and after 12 posts, to try and discount everything our "Pet Expert" and others have said, and try and make this an argument, because of your own opinions without backing them up.

You stated"I did NOT bring up the subject of breeding.
You say you are a reputable breeder. Where and with whom are you licenced and registered? Have all of your dogs that you've bred had the required genetic testing? What are their blood lines?
I think it's wonderful that you care for your dogs, but in an extremely overpopulated dog world, I do ask questions about blood lines and the proper licensing."

LOL I am so glad you approve. You specifically made reference you me, and my bloodlines, that is breeding to me, like you know my sires, dams and such.

What do you know about my bloodlines and if I produced for you some sire and dams, firstly, from main stud dog that was the American National Champion, top of his line in his year, and my foundation stud stock, THAT was based on years of researching his pedigree.

Please I am not defensive at all, I am asking you, and cannot even believe you stated this, like you have any idea at all about breeders sires and dams, and what they lived and died from, and how hard good breeders work.

Excuse me but was it you that just bought a beagle puppy from a breeder instead of rescue or have I got you mixed up with Altenweg, if I have sorry, not good at going back and forth here yet, when you are so against breeders and so into rescue. Nothing against rescue I do it myself, but do not preach to others for wanting a breed specific puppy, and at one time I WAS A NOVICE BREEDER, it took a lot to learn what I know, please respect what I have learned, and do not knock anyone else on here for possibly wanting to be a breeder. Rescues are very sad, BUT many are a result of stray, irresponsible owners and not everyone falls into this category.

Again please humour me, I am asking you for your definition of a breeder, and I will give you mine.

And I would like to see you produce information for me that commercial dog food DOES not produce, cancer, and not just cancer, skin, bowel, problems etc.

The potato thread is dead. I will still stick to what I said because I believe it and I use it, simple as that, you do not want to, don't. If I pay attention to statistics I WOULD BE INSANE. I mean really, one day something is good, the next week or year it is not, please.

I do not believe everything I read, especially when I see evidence of opposite, and my dogs living well beyond breed average.

I am not the best at quoting here so bare with me,

Type in canine cancer and commercial dog food, there should be enough there to get my point across.

You will not change my mind, argue all you want, too many dogs loved and did well on my feedings, in my kennel, my family, my associate breeders, and you are missing my point.

If you are such an advocate for commercial dog food and the topic of grapes, potatoes and all, then simply point out *what could happen* as it is a minority it happens too, just as it is with people, please continue with your commercial food, personally I will stick to my all natural that has worked well for me.

Oh one other thing, my pups and dogs have been in magazines, commercials, calendars and the little one you see in my pic, one my pups, a calendar girl and very special. My dogs all of them were the epitome of health.

I won't even tell you what they got for breakfast LOL.


Again respectfully,

Canady

Hi all,

I don't own a dog, so I'm relatively objective (as well as modestly ignorant!). I just found this article at snopes.com, which debunks internet myths. They have a good reputation and they say that in fact grapes and raisins can cause renal failure in dogs and people should avoid letting their dogs eat grapes.

Here's the link.

snopes.com: Raisins and Grapes Harmful to Dogs

What I'm wondering is if some breeds are more sensitive than others due to having different genes. That might account for people's very different experiences with grapes and dogs.

Cheers

Hi canady. I have been following the thread down to here and just wondered what type of dog that is in your avatar ?

Tick

Yes, I get your point and I agree. Some breeds have a different metabolism. Good example is the Borzoi, and large dogs of that nature, can't be operated on unless in depth blood tests are done. However, on the farm my Borzoi, down to my mixed poodle were fed scraps from many kettlesful of scraps from cooking down for canning. They thrived on it. I can attest that dogs can glean from a veggie diet when nothing else is available for either human or animal. Think about that a while.

It is very poor advice to suggest that grapes should be given to dogs! They may have beneficial effects in humans, but dogs are not humans and their systems are not made to tolerate it, some less so then others. How would you feel if because of your poor advice someone gave their dogs a bowl full of grapes and it died because of it? Their deaths would be on your hands. Your dogs have been lucky so far, but don't think that means every dog can eat them safely, or even most dogs.
Are you a licensed vet as well as a breeder? Do you have anything valid to support your claim when actual veterinarian's have the medical proof to disprove you?
Yes, commercial dog food can be dangerous for your pet, but so can feeding your pet known toxic foods.