Potatoes are a staple ingredient for most households, we love them as french fries, roast potatoes, hash browns, and more. But just because we can eat them, does not mean automatically that our dogs can too. So before you feed your husky any potatoes, we need to answer the question, can huskies eat potatoes?
Generally speaking, yes, huskies can eat potatoes, BUT only if they are cooked without and additions and they should not eat too many. Potatoes can be dangerous for your husky if fed raw and while the potato itself may have some nutrients, it’s not the best “human food” for you to share with your pooch.
As you can see, it’s not a straightforward answer, unfortunately, so we’re going to have to dive into it a little more. Let’s get started.
Are potatoes good for huskies?
Potatoes have some nutrients in them that can make them somewhat good for your husky, but they also contain a lot of carbohydrates that make them not the best addition to your husky’s meal plan.
You should never give your husky raw potatoes or potatoes cooked in oil or salted. Raw potatoes contain solanine, which can be toxic to dogs, but cooking the potatoes can help reduce these levels.
A study by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has shown that potatoes may not be appropriate for your dog’s diet: “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued an alert about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes as main ingredients. DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that leads to reduced heart pumping function and increased heart size. The alterations in heart function and structure can result in severe consequences such as congestive heart failure or sudden cardiac death. While the most common cause of DCM is genetic, on rare occasions other factors can also result in the condition, particularly in breeds that are not frequently affected.”
If you are unsure whether or not you should feed your husky potatoes, consult with your veterinarian as they will best know the particular condition of your dog and advise you best.
How many potatoes can huskies eat?
If you do decide to feed your husky potatoes, you should do so in moderation.
Potatoes should not be regarded as a meal replacement, instead, follow the 10% rule of dog treats which states that treats should make up no more than about 10% of your dog’s daily calories.
For a typical husky, this means that one medium-sized potato would make up about 10% of their daily calory intake, but there are no one-size-fits-all answers to this, as some huskies may be significantly less active than others (while still being healthy).
Can huskies eat raw potatoes?
Dogs should never eat raw potatoes, and even though huskies may occasionally have the temperament of a cat, huskies too should never be fed raw potatoes.
Raw potatoes contain solanine, which is toxic to dogs and can cause serious illness, particularly for puppies.
If you do feed your husky potatoes, make sure they are cooked to remove most of the solanine levels within the spud.
Can huskies eat sweet potatoes?
Huskies can eat sweet potatoes without any problems. If you are going to feed your husky potatoes and you have the option between regular white potatoes and sweet potatoes, rather feed them sweet potatoes.
White potatoes are often thought to be related to sweet potatoes, but they actually aren’t. White potatoes are from the nightshade family, containing solanine, making them toxic to dogs when eaten raw. Whereas sweet potatoes aren’t toxic, although they can cause stomach ache if they are fed to your dog raw.
Sweet potatoes are much healthier than regular potatoes, with plenty of nutrients such as vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, potassium, iron, and fiber, while being low in fat.
If you feed your husky sweet potatoes, make sure to serve them cooked and peeled. Optionally, with carrots.
Can huskies eat potato skin?
Huskies can eat potato skins but should do so sparingly.
A little potato skin is fine, but they do contain oxalates. Which are fine in moderation, but if your husky consumes too many potato skins, it could lead to kidney problems.
Best to avoid potato skins altogether, but if they eat some accidentally, there is no need to panic.
Can huskies eat cooked potatoes?
Yes, huskies can eat cooked potatoes.
You should always cook potatoes when giving them to your dogs. This means either baking or boiling them without adding any extras like salt, oil, or spices.
Frying potatoes introduces oil, which is unhealthy for your husky, and you shouldn’t add any spices and salt as this can also be unhealthy for your pup.
Final thoughts on huskies eating potatoes
Huskies can eat potatoes, but it should be done so in moderation and they always need to be cooked. Raw potatoes should be avoided and potatoes should not be used as a meal replacement.
For a more healthy alternative, try giving your husky sweet potatoes (cooked) instead.
If you have any concerns over your husky’s diet or how they react to potatoes, contact your vet as they will be able to advise you on dietary requirements specifically for your husky.
