Can a dog eat raw potatoes? Can dogs eat potatoes? Features of digestion in dogs

Even pets, whose diet is tailored to the wishes of the veterinarian, sometimes get a tidbit from the master's table. It could be potatoes, which most dogs enjoy eating. So can you give four-legged pets potatoes?

Potatoes: benefit or harm

By nature, dogs are predators. Before the animals were domesticated, they ate birds, rodents, which they ate along with the contents of the stomach of their prey - grass, cereals, plant roots. In the summer, they could also eat berries. Nature itself made sure that the dog's menu consisted not only of meat protein but also carbohydrates plant origin, vitamins, fiber, starch.

The dog's intestines are designed in such a way that they cannot digest a lot of carbohydrate foods. However, a small amount of products containing these substances will not harm the pet. Potato contains:

• cellulose;
• carbohydrates;
• minerals;
• vitamins.

In addition, it is a natural antioxidant, antispasmodic, an assistant in the improvement of the cardiovascular system and the gastrointestinal tract. That is why potatoes can be called a medicinal product in the diet. pet.

It is no coincidence that manufacturers of elite dog food (Exclusion, Arden Grange, etc.) include potatoes in their nutritional mixtures.

Permissible dose of potatoes for a dog

Since potatoes are not very well absorbed by the body of animals, too much of it should not be given. In addition, an excess of starchy and carbohydrate product contributes to the development of obesity diabetes. It is advisable to mix it with vegetables or feed.

It is forbidden to feed potatoes:

• newborn puppies;
• dogs during pregnancy and lactation;
• pets with individual intolerance to this product.

One serving for medium to large dogs large breeds should not exceed 150 grams per week, 50 g is enough for small dogs. It is allowed to use potato flour - 1-2 tablespoons per week.

What potatoes are allowed

According to veterinarians, the most beneficial for the dog raw potatoes. Its tubers are rich in vitamins and minerals. Many dogs like to gnaw on pieces of potatoes and this strengthens their body. If the animal refuses to eat such a delicacy, you can use a trick: finely chop the root crop and mix it with meat or vegetables. The main thing is to choose healthy tubers, without green spots, so that the pet is not poisoned by a toxic substance - solanine.

Also useful are potatoes baked and boiled in their skins. All substances are contained precisely under the peel, and after heat treatment in such ways they are preserved. Before giving a potato to a dog, it must be peeled and cooled.

Stewed and boiled potatoes are not particularly useful for a pet, since all the vitamins in it disappear during the cooking or stewing process. It is undesirable to give such dishes to the dog in excess, as they can cause indigestion.

The most harmful is fried potatoes. But main danger represents not the root itself, but the oil that was used for frying. It is a carcinogen in pure form, which is very dangerous for the dog's body. The same can be said about chips. Of course, if an animal accidentally eats a small slice of a treat, this will not cause harm to health, but it is still not worth accustoming it to such a dish.

Article updated: November 13, 2018 at 11:38 pm

If you have chosen for your favorite four-legged natural way nutrition, you must know what you can and cannot feed your dog.

Pork

Dogs, like pigs, have one common virus in their bodies. infectious disease- canine distemper virus. Raw pork can be the causative agent of this disease.

Vitamins for humans

The composition of vitamins for humans includes elements to which the dog's body is not adapted. Their use leads to damage to the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines of the animal, and also has toxic effect on the liver and kidneys.

Mushrooms

Everyone knows that mushrooms contain a lot of toxins. In addition, mushrooms in large numbers contains chitin, which is practically not absorbed by the body. Often, the use of mushrooms by a dog can lead to disruption of the pancreas and liver. Therefore, it is better to exclude this species product from the dog's diet, so as not to risk it again.

nuts

The digestive system of dogs is not designed to digest any kind of nuts. Therefore, there is no benefit from their use at all. Moreover, many stale nut kernels begin to release toxic substances that provoke stomach problems.

Onion

Onions contain thiosulfates, which negatively affect the red blood cells and can cause anemia (anemia).

If your tail accidentally grabbed a small piece of onion, then nothing bad will happen. You need to eat a large enough amount of onions for this to lead to serious problems. In fact, thiosulfates are also found in garlic. But their content in garlic is much lower than in onions. And eating a small amount of garlic will do your furry much more good than harm.

Garlic is good prophylactic against helminths. One clove of garlic is recommended to be given to the animal along with a dried piece of bread once every 2-3 weeks.

Citrus and grapes

Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, which can cause allergies and inflammation of your pet's stomach lining. As for grapes, they are very toxic to dogs. But some dogs can consume it without much harm to health, while in other animals, even a few grapes eaten can cause serious kidney failure.

Therefore, it is better not to experiment and find out if your pet's body is able to absorb these fruits and berries.

Avocado

Avocado contains: toxic substance as persin, which can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea if the dog eats enough of this fruit.

Sorrel and rhubarb

Sorrel and rhubarb contain great amount oxalates (salts of oxalic acid), which can affect the functioning of the urinary system.

Products from the master's table, fried food

Moldy and spoiled food

Moldy and spoiled food contains many toxins that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, poisoning and damage to internal organs.

All of the above products are classified as prohibited for dogs, and it is advisable to completely eliminate them from the pet's diet.

Bread and flour products

Many owners sometimes allow their pets to eat buns or cookies.

Yeast, which is present in almost all flour products, very often cause flatulence. Also, dogs that are fed buns may have inflamed eyes and bad teeth. If you want to pamper your pet, then you can give some dried crackers as a treat.

Legumes

All vegetables of the legume family are very difficult to digest and digest by the dog's body. In addition, they produce gases in the intestines. These vegetables include peas, lentils and beans.

Potato

Potatoes are harmful to dogs in any form. Raw potatoes contain the poisonous substance solanine, the use of which in large quantities can lead to the death of a pet. IN boiled potatoes a lot of carbohydrates, which are completely useless for the animal.

Celery

Celery is a food rich in vitamins. But in its consistency it is very hard and fibrous.

We all know that when eating food, the dog almost does not chew it, but swallows it. big chunks. And it is very difficult for unchewed pieces of celery to pass through the esophagus. Therefore, if you want to enrich your pet's food with nutrients, then you can scroll through the celery in a meat grinder and simply add the tail to the food.

And now let's talk about the category of products that are safe for the animal in moderation, but still you should not get carried away with them.

Foods to eat in moderation

Milk

The body of many adult animals eventually loses the ability to break down the lactose contained in milk. threatens them with indigestion, diarrhea.

But completely eliminating dairy products from the diet is wrong. You just need to replace them with dairy products With low content lactose. It can be yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese and kefir.

Cheese

Many dogs are very fond of cheese. As with milk, many dogs are lactose intolerant, which is found in cheese.

Therefore, if you want to treat your pet with cheese, then opt for a product with a low fat content.

Strawberries, blueberries, apples and other fruits

Fruits and berries are very useful for a dog. But they must be given moderate amount. Fruits and berries contain a lot of fiber, which contributes to proper digestion. But we must not forget that, nevertheless, the main part of the diet of a quadruped should be meat.

Cabbage

By itself, cabbage is not harmful to the dog. But the use of this product in large quantities may cause flatulence.

In conclusion, I would like to add just one thing.

Never feed your pet foods you are not sure about. If you have any health problems with your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Good luck and take care of your pets!

Diverse and balanced diet – necessary condition maintaining the health and long-term activity of pets. Its basis should be protein food. Many dog ​​breeders have doubts about the presence of potatoes in the diet. This product contains a fairly large amount nutrients. The first place belongs to carbohydrates (30 g per 100 g of potatoes), the second is fiber and alimentary fiber(5 g per 100 g potatoes). Content vegetable protein 100 g of potatoes is 4.4 g. In addition, the vegetable is a good source of vitamins and minerals.

The advantage of potatoes is that it contains a small amount of fat and no cholesterol at all (if the potatoes are not fried in oil). This composition of the product is quite acceptable for humans. But is it possible for dogs to have potatoes, and in what form this product will be most useful for her. Read more about this in our article.

Dogs are natural predators, so potatoes, like many other foods on the human table, were never present in their diet before domestication. Their digestive system has been created and is ideal for digesting food of animal origin.

The structural features of the gastrointestinal tract and the short length of the intestines in dogs (compared to herbivores) stimulate plant foods to pass through gastrointestinal tract with more speed. Its movement through the intestines causes increased peristalsis(for reasons high content coarse fiber and fiber). This further increases the speed of passage. There are difficulties in assimilation, which is expressed in gastrointestinal disorders and diarrhea.

Veterinarians say that a small amount of potatoes can be given, but only if the product is well tolerated and there is no individual reactions at the pet.

How useful is the product

When used in limited quantities, potatoes are useful to the animal, as they can to some extent compensate for the deficiency of certain nutrients. One tuber contains half daily allowance vitamin C. Of the minerals, it contains a large amount of potassium, iron, magnesium and calcium, and slightly less phosphorus, folic and nicotinic acid. It is also a source of very valuable substance- quercetin. It is a very strong oxidant with powerful antitumor, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects.

Potential Harm

But too frequent use potatoes can also bring significant harm to the animal's body. A large amount of starch and slowly digestible carbohydrates lead to active education adipose tissue. With a lack motor activity this is fraught with the appearance of excess weight. In addition, the consumption of starchy foods leads to an increase in the glycemic index. Another sad result of the active use of potatoes is the development of sugar.

In the presence of enzyme deficiency, the animal may have individual intolerance product, which will be expressed in indigestion, pain, spasm, diarrhea.

Veterinarians have calculated the optimal amount of potatoes for pet consumption. It is - 100-150 g (this is one large or two medium tubers) per week for large individuals. For animals small breeds the amount of potatoes eaten per week should not exceed 50 g (one small tuber).

raw potatoes

The main amount of vitamins and microelements is found in raw potatoes. Therefore, it is not recommended for dogs to thermally process potato tubers. In preparation for feeding, they should be thoroughly washed, chopped and rubbed into the main food. Old potatoes are not recommended. IN last resort, it should be peeled.

It is important to ensure that the dog does not get a green tuber. It contains the plant poison solanine, which is dangerous for both humans and animals. Especially a lot of it is found in potato peels.

In dogs, solanine poisoning causes serious ailments that can lead to death. Solanine disrupts the functioning of the nervous system, negatively affects the hematopoietic organs, causes gastrointestinal disorders. The poison is excreted through the kidneys, so the work of the excretory system may also be disrupted.

If there is a risk of developing these disorders, it is recommended to boil potatoes before feeding. Do not feed your dog old or sprouted tubers. In them, the content of the poison rises sharply.

Thermally processed potatoes

Cooked potatoes contain less nutrients. Boiled potatoes are ballast for the dog's body. At frequent feeding the dog quickly acquires excess weight. Thermally processed potatoes can be included in the pet's diet, but subject to certain conditions.

give to dogs boiled potatoes possible in rare cases and in very small quantities. For their body, baked or boiled potatoes in their skins are more suitable. In the tubers prepared in this way, more nutrients remain.

Why can't dogs be given fried food? It is worse than boiled. At minimum quantity Nutrients it contains a large amount of cholesterol. In addition, during frying, carcinogens are formed in the tubers - substances leading to the formation cancer cells. Such potatoes also contain a large amount of fat, which has a detrimental effect on the liver and pancreas.

When potatoes are contraindicated

1. Puppies. The body of a young dog reacts negatively to this product, because its enzyme system is still imperfect. It is strictly forbidden to give potatoes to individuals who are not yet a year old.
2. Pregnant and lactating dogs. Their body experiences a significant load during the period of bearing and feeding babies. Therefore, the diet of these dogs should be only easily digestible food.
3. Pets with sensitive digestive systems and chronic diseases stomach and intestines, too, can not be given potatoes.
4. Animals with an allergic mood of the body should be introduced into the diet with extreme caution.

For the first time this product should be given to dogs under close supervision. Attentive owners monitor the well-being of pets and, if available, backlash(diarrhea, indigestion, allergies, bad feeling) treats are no longer given.

First aid for poisoning

If poisoning with low-quality potatoes has nevertheless occurred, you should immediately provide first aid to the animal. This will mitigate the consequences and facilitate further treatment.

The main actions are:

• induce vomiting (give the animal weak solution potassium permanganate);
• give an adsorbent preparation (Smecta, Polysorb, Activated carbon, Enterosgel);
• take the animal to a veterinary facility as soon as possible.

When properly fed, potatoes may well be integral part animal diet. The veterinarians who formulate the professional dog foods we feed include potatoes in their formulations, but only after the starch has been removed from the pulp.

The diet of dogs should be as varied as possible, do not limit the diet of the animal only meat products, after all plant food also supplies pets essential vitamins and minerals. Your dog should have both vegetables and grains in his bowl from time to time. Is it possible for dogs to eat potatoes, how often can you offer your pet dishes from it, and what benefits can it bring?

Potatoes in dog food

Many owners feed their pets from the table, so they can easily offer them the rest of a sandwich or mashed potatoes. As for potatoes, veterinarians urge owners not to feed fried potatoes to dogs. This very bad for their stomach, since the animal's digestive tract simply lacks the enzymes responsible for digesting such fatty foods. In addition, it should not be forgotten that when heated sunflower oil, carcinogens are formed, which are considered main reason formation of malignant tumors.

Dogs, like people, are not immune to the appearance cancerous tumors, That's why fried potatoes are strictly forbidden for dogs. As for ordinary boiled potatoes, if a little vegetable gets into a bowl of meat, this is not scary, on the contrary, it is even useful, since it contains enough vitamins and minerals. In addition, the starch contained in the potato is considered one of the main sources of energy, since it is transformed into sugars when it enters the body.

The fact that potatoes in small quantities are allowed to be given to a dog is also indicated by the fact that it is contained in some types of food. You can give your pet raw potatoes, it will even be more useful, since most of the vitamins and minerals still disappear during heat treatment. It can be rubbed and added to the main food.

How often can you give your dog potatoes?

The vegetable will not bring any harm to the animal, but only if the owner does not feed his pet with it too often. It is allowed to give one small potato twice a week. If the vegetable is given to the animal every day and in large quantities, sad consequences such nutrition will not be slow in coming, because starch, which is not the number one product for a dog, will actually replace meat, a protein that is vital for the development of its bone and muscle system.

You should not give potatoes to a puppy, because until the age of five months digestive system dogs are still very weak, therefore it will simply not be able to digest starch, which will entail indigestion, dysbacteriosis, and deterioration of well-being.

After the pet tries the vegetable for the first time, you should observe its condition for 4-5 days, if the animal’s stool suddenly changes or its health worsens, weakness appears, then you should no longer give potatoes.

Potatoes - Benefits for Dogs

A vegetable is considered useful product, since it contains minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus), vitamins C, E, PP, H and B. It also contains a lot of iodine, which is very important for thyroid gland and also protects the body from harmful microflora. From him enough in the body depends on the growth and development of the dog, the condition of his teeth, coat and nails. Potato perfectly removes toxins from the body, therefore it is considered medicinal products in the diet of dogs, the main thing is that its amount does not exceed the allowable portion.

The vegetable relieves spasm and helps with the work of the stomach and intestines, has a diuretic effect. The special value of potatoes is that they contain a lot of potassium, an important mineral for maintaining the health of a dog. So potassium heals cardiovascular system and regulates metabolic processes.

Harm of potatoes for dogs

Potatoes will not harm the health of the animal only on the condition that she was eaten a little. In other cases, when it is given too often to a dog or given in large quantities, the vegetable becomes harmful. Most often, after overeating potatoes, indigestion occurs, since digestive tract simply cannot digest starch, which is contained in a lot of potatoes. As a result, the dog may experience vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite.

The most dangerous thing is that during diarrhea, dehydration can occur, the pet may have a fever, shortness of breath appears, the animal becomes weak, its movements slow down. If you do not provide assistance to the pet in time, even a fatal outcome is possible.

Boiled potatoes in large quantities are a real test for the dog's stomach and pancreas, but overeating is no less dangerous. raw potatoes. It contains dangerous substance solanine, which has a depressing effect on nervous system and promotes the breakdown of red blood cells. Of course, if it is a couple of potatoes, the animal is not in danger, because the poison becomes dangerous for him if he ate at least a kilogram of raw potatoes.

A vegetable is also harmful because it is a carbohydrate, a source of energy. If the animal is actively and constantly moving, this is an additional supply of strength, but if the dog is old or sick, it does not move much, then in this case, potatoes that are transformed into sugar can cause obesity.

Extra pounds are detrimental to a pet, its activity decreases, the dog starts to get sick, fat begins to be deposited on internal organs which causes them to malfunction.

This vegetable is absolutely neutral in its effect on the health of dogs, it is not harmful, but it is poorly absorbed. For this reason, potatoes should not be used as the main food, but as a delicacy and an additional source of carbohydrates, you can.