Are potatoes safe for cats?
In this article, we will answer the question “Are potatoes safe for cats”? and discuss can potatoes kill cats?
Are potatoes safe for cats?
No, potatoes are not safe for cats. Cats can’t eat potatoes but there are some exceptions. You should feed your cat a protein-based feline diet. You should avoid feeding raw potatoes to your cat because they are poisonous due to solanine.
You can use cooked potatoes if you want to feed potatoes to cats. Simply, boil potatoes into the water without adding any seasoning. After boiling, cut potatoes into pieces and feed them to cats. Ensure boiled potatoes are cooled properly before feeding them to the cat.
You can also mash your potato without adding any seasoning and feed it to your cats. Don’t feed your cat fried or roasted potatoes. Potatoes do not provide any nutrition to your pet so it is better for you to avoid them.
Raw potatoes contain glycoalkaloids known as solanine which is toxic to cats. It can cause illness in your pet.
Solanine poisoning
If there is solanine poisoning in the cats they may experience abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and sometimes coma and death. If your cat ingests solanine, contact the vet immediately.
Nutritional value
Potatoes are a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fibres that are important for us but cats need different things because they are carnivores. There is little difference between Sweet potatoes and regular potatoes. According to the ASPCA, sweet potatoes are poisonous and not suitable for cats.
Cooked potatoes are an excellent source of potassium, vitamin B and C, carbohydrates, protein and fibre. But it is unavailable for cats as cats don’t have enzymes that are required for plant digestion. So it provides zero nutritional value to cats.
Eating potatoes can lead to cats becoming overweight and it is the main reason for diabetes in the cats.
Are sweet potatoes bad for cats?
Generally, cats can’t tolerate sweet potatoes because their digestive system is weaker than the human digestive system. Cats can not digest sweet potatoes and eating sweet potatoes can cause digestive issues like diarrhoea and vomiting.
If you want to feed sweet potatoes to your cat, feed them a tiny bit and then observe how she reacts. Skip sweet potatoes if there is any problem in the digestive tract. Sweet potatoes are not a good choice for cats.
Are fried potatoes a good choice for cats?
Fried potato isn’t a good choice for cats. They are not safe because they contain unhealthy fats. Like fried potatoes, potato chips have an artificial flavour which can cause problems in cats. You shouldn’t feed fried potatoes to your cats.
Are French fries safe for cats?
French fries are not safe for dogs. French fries contain salts that are three times more than the limit that is safe for cats. Also, French fries have more calories and fats.
Cats need essential fatty acid but French fries don’t have the essential fatty acid instead they have unhealthy fats that are not safe for the cats.
Can cats eat potato peel?
Like raw potato, potato peel is also poisonous to cats as it contains glycoalkaloid solanine which is toxic to cats. Also, potato peels have dirt and bacteria which have adverse effects on the cat’s health.
Other FAQs about Potatoes which you may be interested in.
Are potatoes a fruit or vegetable?
Are potatoes still good if they are soft?
Can potatoes kill cats?
The risk of death is very less in the cats until they consume too much potato. Eating too much potato can kill a cat but usually, a cat won’t eat a large amount of potato. They can eat large amounts of cooked potatoes which are not harmful to cats. Let’s discuss risks caused by potatoes
Digestive disorder
When cats eat potatoes, solanine can cause digestive disorders, vomiting and diarrhoea. Cooked potatoes with seasoning like oil, butter, herbs and cheese are the main reasons for a gastrointestinal disorder.
Intestinal blockage
Raw potatoes are hard and can get stuck in the intestines and can cause blockage. Also, cats can’t digest the peel and leave so eating peels in large amounts can cause blockage in the intestine. So, you should avoid feeding raw potatoes and peels to your cats.
Choking
Choking risk is more common in kittens as compared to adult cats. Large pieces are the reason for choking.
Is eating too many potatoes safe for your cats?
Avoid too many potatoes as it promotes weight gain both in humans and cats. If you feed too many potatoes to your cat it may cause weight issues as well joint problems and sometimes feline diabetes.
A tablespoon of boiled tomato is okay for your cat. You can mix a tablespoon of potato into their regular diet. Give them potatoes as a special diet, not as a regular meal.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Are potatoes safe for cats”? and discussed can potatoes kill cats?
If you have any questions or comments please let us know.
References
https://friendlyclaws.com/can-cats-eat-potatoes/
https://petpattern.com/blogs/cats/can-cats-eat-potatoes
https://www.cancateat.com/can-cats-eat-potatoes/
