Can Cats Eat Potatoes?

Yes, cats can eat a tiny bite of plain, cooked potato once in a while. Raw potato and green potato are different. Pet Poison Helpline lists green potato as toxic to cats, and the ASPCA says raw potato may cause problems. Cats don’t need potatoes, so treat it as an extra, never a meal.

Is cooked potato safe for cats?

Plain cooked potato is fine in small amounts. The ASPCA says raw potatoes may be a problem for pets, but cooked potatoes are fine in moderation. It even lists cooked potatoes as a snack for pets.

“Plain” matters. Butter, salt, onion, and garlic are the things that make a potato risky.

Why are raw and green potatoes a problem?

Pet Poison Helpline lists green potato as toxic to cats. Its page for owners doesn’t give details on signs or amounts, so we can’t tell you how much it takes to make a cat sick.

The safe choice is simple. Throw away potatoes that look green or have sprouts. Keep your cat away from raw potatoes and from potato plants in the garden.

How can I serve potato to my cat?

If you want to share, keep it boring:

• Cook the potato until it is soft.
• Leave off salt, butter, oil, and seasoning.
• Give one or two tiny bites, cooled down.
• Never give raw, green, or sprouting potato.

Cornell Feline Health Center says cats are obligate carnivores. That means they rely on nutrients found only in animal products. A potato can’t replace any of that, and it shouldn’t take the place of cat food.

The same Cornell page says treats should not be more than 10 to 15 percent of your cat’s daily calories. A small bite of potato is a treat.

Other kinds of potato

Can cats eat mashed potatoes?

Only if they are plain, and only a small taste. Most mashed potatoes have butter, milk, salt, and sometimes garlic or onion. The ASPCA says onions and garlic can damage the red blood cells of cats and dogs. Cornell says dairy is not recommended for cats, because many are lactose intolerant. That means milk can upset their stomach. Skip the mashed potatoes from the table. See our guide on whether cats can eat cheese for more on dairy.

Can cats eat potato chips?

No. Chips are salty and oily. The ASPCA says too much salt can cause more thirst and peeing, and in worse cases vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, and seizures. Many flavors also use onion or garlic powder. If your cat licks up a few crumbs, they will probably be fine. If they eat a lot, or you see signs of illness, call your vet.

Can cats eat sweet potatoes?

Sweet potato is a different plant from regular potato. The ASPCA lists the sweet potato vine as non-toxic to cats. That page covers the plant, not the cooked root, and we didn’t find a vet source on how much cooked sweet potato is okay. Plain, cooked sweet potato in a tiny bite is a reasonable treat. Leave off butter, sugar, marshmallows, and spices.

What if my cat ate potato?

• Plain cooked potato: Nothing to do. Watch for an upset stomach.
• Fries, chips, or seasoned potato: Watch your cat. Call your vet if they vomit, have diarrhea, seem weak, or drink a lot.
• Raw, green, sprouted potato or potato plant: Call your vet or a poison hotline right away.

Better treats for cats

Cats do best on a complete cat food. For a treat, plain cooked meat is a closer match to what cats need than any vegetable. Check our list of foods that are toxic to cats so you know what to keep away from them.