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Can cats eat potatoes? Maybe you’ve had this thought while you’re in the kitchen preparing fried potatoes for Sunday lunch, or your cat is begging for a bite of your mashed potatoes. Can Cats Eat Potatoes the Same Way as Humans?
When asked whether cats can eat potatoes, there is no simple answer: yes or no. Technically, when properly cooked, potatoes are not toxic to cats and are safe to consume. However, since cats are obligate carnivores, you should avoid feeding your cat too many potatoes and instead stick to a portion of high-protein cat food.
As always, you should consult your vet before feeding your beloved feline any human food, including potatoes.
So, can cats eat potatoes?
It actually depends on the type of potatoes used and how they are prepared. Sweet potatoes, for example, are not tolerated by cats at all. French fries are not only unhealthy for your cat’s digestive system, but they are also toxic to them. Raw potatoes, on the other hand, are absolutely deadly to cats. Let’s take a look at the 3 different types of potatoes and how they can help or harm your kitty.
Raw potatoes
Raw potatoes are harmful to both cats and humans. The raw potato plant contains solanine. This chemical is used to protect the developing potato plant and is toxic to humans and animals, especially cats.
This chemical is found both in the plant and in the green skin of the ripening potato vegetable. Raw potatoes and raw potato skins are therefore dangerous for your cat. So if you have raw potatoes around the house, be sure to keep them out of your cat’s reach or you could end up in the vet’s office.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes and green plants do not contain solanine. The ASPCA says the sweet potato vine is safe for cats. However, sweet potatoes can cause health problems in cats. Sweet potatoes are not as good for cats as potatoes are for humans.
So you don’t need to feed your cat potatoes to supplement their diet. A modest amount of mashed sweet potatoes won’t harm your cat, but too much of it can lead to obesity, indigestion, and other health problems like vomiting and diarrhea.
Boiled Potatoes
Can Cats Eat Boiled Potatoes When Raw and Sweet Potatoes Are Bad? Your pet can eat mashed, baked, or boiled potatoes. Some cat meals contain potatoes. Boiled potatoes are harmless as the toxins are destroyed.
You can occasionally add mashed potatoes to your cat’s dry or canned food for extra protein and fiber, but this should not replace vitamin tablets. Remember that the prepared potato snacks must be free from dangerous spices, herbs, additives, and toppings. Sweet and acidic toppings are forbidden for cats.
A boiled, mashed, or baked potato is safer. They contain harmful oils, acids, and fats for your cat. Also, the artificial flavors, herbs, salts, and other ingredients in a bag of chips will harm your beloved kitty.
What is the Safest Way to Feed Potatoes to My Cat?
It is safest to clean, peel, boil and prepare the potatoes without cooking fat to give to the cat. Therefore, cooking is a healthy and safe way to prepare. To ensure you don’t have large chunks of potatoes that could pose a choking hazard or clog your cat’s digestive tract, you should slice the potatoes finely before cooking or puree them after cooking.
Remember that a cat can be sensitive to any new food. Therefore, it’s best to start by giving your cat a small amount of cooked, mashed potatoes. If your cat likes it and doesn’t vomit, have diarrhea, or show other signs of an upset stomach, you can repeat feedings more often.