Vegetable
Can cats eat potatoes?
A little plain cooked potato is safe for cats, but raw or green potato and the plant are toxic.
Why Solanine (in raw and green potatoes and the plant)
By Maya HartIf your cat ate some
- A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset.
- Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell.
- If a lot of raw or green potato or potato plant was eaten, call your vet.
Signs to watch for
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Lethargy
How much, how often
A small piece.
Treats of any kind should stay under 10% of the day’s calories. Work out your pet’s calories
Serving it safely
- Boiled or baked, plain
- Never chips, crisps or mash with butter, milk, garlic or onion
- Throw away green or sprouting potatoes
Dogs and cats, side by side
Dogs In moderation
Plain cooked potato is fine in small amounts. Raw potatoes, green potatoes and the leaves contain solanine and should be avoided.
How much: A spoonful of plain cooked potato occasionally.
Can dogs eat potatoes?Cats In moderation
A little plain cooked potato is safe for cats, but raw or green potato and the plant are toxic.
How much: A small piece.
The details
Cooking reduces solanine, which is why plain boiled potato appears in many bland diets. Chips and crisps are a different story: they are high in salt and fat and can trigger stomach upsets or pancreatitis in dogs.
Safer treats your cat can have instead
Questions owners ask
Can cats eat potatoes?
A little plain cooked potato is safe for cats, but raw or green potato and the plant are toxic.
How much potatoes can a cat have?
A small piece.
What makes potatoes risky for cats?
Solanine (in raw and green potatoes and the plant).
What are the signs to watch for in cats?
vomiting and diarrhoea, drooling, lethargy.
What should I do if my cat ate potatoes?
A small amount usually causes nothing worse than a mild stomach upset. Offer water, skip the next treat and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or your pet seems unwell. If a lot of raw or green potato or potato plant was eaten, call your vet.
Is potatoes safe for dogs too?
Plain cooked potato is fine in small amounts. Raw potatoes, green potatoes and the leaves contain solanine and should be avoided.
Sources
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts
More foods for cats
Sweet potato
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation
Tomatoes
- Dogs
- In moderation
- Cats
- In moderation
Green beans
Courgette
- Dogs
- Safe
- Cats
- In moderation