You can feed your cat plain-cooked potatoes. In small amounts, they’re not harmful to kittens. However, some potato recipes aren’t suitable for kittens.
Take mashed potatoes for example. The ingredients in this recipe put kittens at risk of gastroenteritis. Most recipes for potatoes call for milk, butter, and/or cheese.
And since most cats become lactose intolerant after weaning, ingesting dairy can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. So, your cat can eat potatoes, but they really shouldn’t.
The same goes for gravy. It’s a tasty topping, but it’s also high in fat and seasonings like onion and garlic which can be toxic to kittens. With that in mind, let’s learn which potato recipes aren’t suitable for felines besides mashed potatoes.
Is it Safe For Cats To Eat Potatoes?
Many cat owners wonder: “Can cats have potatoes safely?” The short answer is yes. However, although plain potatoes aren’t harmful to cats when cooked properly, they still have calories and aren’t complete and balanced.
So, they can disrupt a balanced commercial diet. Experts suggest that only 10% of the calories of a cat’s diet should come from unbalanced treats and the rest from regular cat food.
If your kitten has a small amount of plain-cooked potatoes, they will be fine. Just don’t let your cat make it a habit unless that’s their only treat source.
Also, the ASPCA states that a feline’s digestive system isn’t adjusted for a plant-based diet. So, when selecting potato treats for kittens, consider which ones matter most. Now, let’s discuss the topic even further. (*)
How Many Potatoes Can a Cat Eat?
If your kitten stares at your plate of potatoes and your veterinarian has said that it’s fine to feed your pet potatoes occasionally, you can start by giving your pet a small taste. Here’s how to prepare potatoes for your kitten:
- Wash the potatoes thoroughly.
- Remove the peel as well as any roots and discolored areas as they can have solanine.
- Cut the potatoes into small pieces so they’re easier to consume and digest.
- Roast, bake or boil the potatoes without any extra ingredients such as fats or seasonings.
- Offer a small amount of the cooked potatoes to your feline at first, either as a mash or piece once it’s cooled down.
- Observe your feline’s reaction, especially if they’re trying potatoes for the first time. Most cats eat potatoes, but not every cat likes potatoes.
Look out for vomiting and diarrhea as they’re symptoms of an upset stomach. And if you notice anything out of the ordinary, consult your vet for advice.
What if My Cat Eats Too Many Potatoes?
If your cat eats too many potatoes, nothing bad will happen.
However, keep in mind that high carb content can easily promote weight gain since the body will use the carbs for fast energy instead of using stored body fat.
Therefore, avoid treating your pet with potatoes too frequently. Otherwise, they can gain weight and develop weight-related health problems such as joint issues as well as feline diabetes. (*)
Can Cats Have Raw Potatoes?
Cats can eat potatoes but not raw potatoes as they have solanine, a substance that’s toxic to felines when digested.
If you suspect your cat has consumed raw potatoes or raw peels, call your vet right away and look out for symptoms of solanine intoxication such as diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy.
Can Cats Have Boiled Potatoes?
Your cat can have boiled potatoes every once in a while.
Simply boil one larger potato in plain water without adding any seasonings including salt. Then, peel and slice up into small pieces, and let the potato cool down properly before you feed your cat.
I combine the small potato pieces with canned chunks of meat for a more wholesome meal.
Can Cats Have Sweet Potatoes?
Cats can have sweet potatoes, but only in moderation.
Sweet potatoes aren’t toxic to cats as they don’t have solanine, however, your feline can benefit from more nutritional cat treats.
You will notice that commercial foods for cats sometimes include sweet potatoes, so they’re a part of a more nutritionally balanced diet.
On their own, they won’t provide much nutritional benefit for your feline. However, if you still want to incorporate sweet potatoes into your kitten’s diet, start by offering a small amount of mashed sweet potatoes without the skin.
If your cat hasn’t had a sweet potato before, watch out for unusual symptoms such as vomiting and consult your vet if necessary.
Can Cats Have Potato Chips or Crisps?
Cats shouldn’t have potato chips or crisps as they’re too salty and too fatty for their digestion. They can cause health issues even in small amounts, so it’s best to avoid sharing potato chips or crisps with your feline, even if they’re homemade.
If you suspect your cat has managed to snatch a few of your potato chips or crisps, consult your vet for advice and watch out for signs that they’re feeling unwell.
Can Cats Have Hash Browns?
You should never feed your cat potatoes prepared with chives, onions, and/or garlic. Moreover, processed potato products such as hash browns, tater tots, chips, and French fries should also be excluded from your cat’s diet.
Can Cats Eat French Fries?
Cats shouldn’t eat fried potatoes such as French fries as they’re processed, too fatty, and too salty. However, if your kitten has snatched a few potato fries, don’t fret, as they’re not toxic to cats.
Can Cats Eat Potato Peels?
Just like raw potatoes, potato peels contain solanine which is toxic to felines, so you shouldn’t feed your cat potato peels, especially raw potato peels.
They’re covered in pesticides, bacteria, and dirt so they’re not suitable for anyone to consume.
If your cat has snatched a peeling when you were making lunch or dinner, don’t fret as they probably haven’t consumed enough to become sick.
As you probably assume, potato peelings aren’t tasty and I’m almost sure your feline didn’t like their taste either.
So, they will probably never consume potato peelings again. However, still look out for symptoms of solanine intoxication such as diarrhea, vomiting, and lethargy, and contact your vet if necessary.
Possible Benefits and Dangers of Feeding Cats Potatoes
I love potatoes because they’re super healthy and versatile. You can cook potatoes in many different ways.
They make a great side dish but I prefer eating potatoes alone seasoned with some salt, pepper, and olive oil.
However, just because they’re healthy for you, doesn’t necessarily mean your feline will benefit from potatoes.
You can feed your kitten a small portion of potatoes every once in a while, but stay aware of the following potential dangers.
Potential Benefits
Potatoes provide lots of energy as well as nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamins C and B6 since they’re starchy carbohydrates.
So, they’re healthy and beneficial for both humans and animals.
Potential Dangers
Raw, uncooked, and/or discolored potatoes and peels have solanine, which is toxic to felines. Solanine acts as a natural defense mechanism for the potato to protect it from being consumed.
Therefore, ingestion of solanine can result in diarrhea and vomiting, and sometimes affects the nervous system causing disorientation and lethargy in cats.
Moreover, potatoes cooked with seasonings, oil, or butter can cause pancreatitis or gastrointestinal upset in felines. (*)
If your feline consumes potato leaves, they can cause blockage and gastrointestinal upset. So, if you’re growing potatoes in your garden, make sure your cat stays away from the leaves.
Lastly, there’s also a risk of choking when consuming larger pieces or whole pieces of potatoes in cats.
It’s not a common occurrence, but can still happen, so make sure you cut potatoes before providing them to your kitten. Also, don’t leave your kitten unattended in the presence of potatoes.
Summary
Boiled potatoes aren’t toxic to cats but they’re not very nutritionally beneficial either. So, feed your cat a specially formulated commercial cat food and make the cooked potato a once-in-a-while treat.
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*image by dasteb/depositphotos