# Can Cats Eat Potatoes? Raw, Boiled, or Mashed Cats can eat cooked potatoes in small amounts if the potato is plain, fully cooked, and served without seasoning. Potato is not a natural part of a cat's diet, and cats are obligate carnivores that need animal-based protein to thrive [1]. Raw potato, green skin, and potato dishes loaded with butter, cheese, or garlic are a different story and can make your cat sick. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Plain, fully cooked potato with no skin, salt, butter, or cheese is safe in small amounts (a teaspoon or two) as an occasional treat. - Raw potato and green or sprouted potato skin contain solanine, a toxin that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological signs. - Never feed potato chips, fries, scalloped potatoes, potato salad, or mashed potatoes made with butter, milk, cream, or cheese. - Cats have limited ability to digest starch because of low pancreatic amylase activity, so potato should stay a tiny part of the diet [1]. - If your cat ate raw potato or a seasoned potato dish, call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away. ## Can Cats Eat Potatoes Cooked? The Short Answer Yes, a cat can eat a small amount of cooked potato, but "cooked" is not the whole story. The potato must also be plain. That means no salt, no butter, no sour cream, no cheese, no garlic, no onion, and no oil. A bite of a baked potato with nothing on it is far safer than a spoonful of buttery mashed potatoes. Potato is a carbohydrate. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat animal-sourced foods for survival, growth, and development [1]. They can use some carbohydrate for energy, but they do not need it. Compared with dogs, cats have a limited ability to handle high levels of dietary starch because of low pancreatic alpha-amylase activity [1]. A small piece of potato will not hurt most healthy cats, but a large serving can lead to digestive upset. Research on carbohydrate sources in cat food shows that cats can eat diets containing potato without changes in normal growth or stool scores [2]. That does not mean potato is ideal. It means a little potato in a balanced diet is generally tolerated. The same study found that carbohydrate source had only a minimal effect on serum biochemical and immune markers [2]. So the honest answer is this. Cooked plain potato is safe in small amounts. It is not nutritious for your cat. It is a treat, not a meal. ## Is Potato Good for Cats? Nutrition and Real Benefits Potato provides carbohydrates, some potassium, vitamin C, and a small amount of fiber. None of these are things your cat needs from potato. Cats synthesize vitamin C on their own, and they get the amino acids they need from meat [1]. There is no real nutritional benefit to feeding potato to a cat. The main reasons owners offer it are curiosity, texture, or because the cat begs. If you want to give a treat, a small piece of plain cooked potato is low risk for most healthy cats. One thing potato does not do is replace meat. Cats have higher dietary requirements than dogs for several amino acids, including arginine, taurine, and tyrosine, plus B-complex vitamins such as niacin, thiamin, folate, and biotin [1]. A diet built around potato would leave your cat dangerously short on these nutrients. If you are looking for a protein-based treat, plain cooked chicken is a better choice. You can read more about safe preparation in [Can Cats Eat Cooked chicken? Bones & Protein Guidelines](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-cooked-chicken-bones-protein-guidelines). ## Can Cats Eat Potatoes Raw? No. Raw potato is not safe for cats. Raw potatoes, especially the skin, green patches, and sprouts, contain solanine. Solanine is a glycoalkaloid toxin. It causes gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhea, and in larger amounts it can affect the nervous system. Green skin means the potato has been exposed to light and has built up solanine. Never let your cat chew on a raw potato or a potato peel. Cooking reduces solanine but does not remove it completely if the potato was very green or sprouted. Throw those potatoes away. Do not feed them to your cat or eat them yourself. Raw potato is also hard and starchy. A cat that swallows a chunk can choke or develop a blockage. Cats do not chew plant matter the way people do, so a piece that seems small to you may be a problem for them. ## Can Cats Eat Potatoes Boiled? Yes, boiled potato is one of the safer forms, as long as it is plain. Boiling softens the starch and makes the potato easier to eat. Peel the potato first, boil it in plain water with no salt or seasoning, and let it cool. Then offer a small piece, about the size of a pea or a small dice. That is enough. Do not add salt. Do not add butter. Do not add bouillon, onion powder, or garlic powder. Onion and garlic, in any form, including powder, damage red blood cells in cats and can cause anemia. Boiled potato still counts as a carbohydrate treat. Keep it occasional. A cat's daily calories should come mostly from a complete and balanced cat food, not from table scraps. ## Can Cats Eat Potatoes Mashed? Usually no, because of what gets mashed in. Plain mashed potato with nothing added is technically similar to boiled potato. The problem is that mashed potatoes are almost always made with butter, milk, cream, sour cream, or cheese. Those add fat and lactose, and both can cause problems for cats. Fat is the bigger concern. A high-fat meal can trigger vomiting and diarrhea, and in some cats it can lead to pancreatitis, which is painful and serious. Cats do not tolerate rich, greasy food well. Lactose is the other issue. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant. Milk and cheese can cause gas, bloating, and loose stools. If you truly want to share mashed potato, mash a plain boiled potato with water only, with no salt and no dairy. Even then, keep the portion tiny. ## Can Cats Eat Potatoes With Butter or Cheese? No. Butter and cheese turn a safe food into an unsafe one. Butter is nearly pure fat. Cheese is high in fat and contains lactose. Together they can cause digestive upset and add a lot of empty calories. Repeated high-fat treats can push a cat toward obesity, which is already a serious welfare problem in pet cats [2]. Cheese also often contains salt. Too much salt is bad for cats, and some cats with heart or kidney disease need strict sodium control. If your cat loves cheese, talk to your veterinarian about a cat-safe treat instead. Do not use cheese as a regular reward. ## Potato Forms at a Glance | Form | Safe? | Notes | |---|---|---| | Plain boiled potato, peeled | Yes, small amount | Cool first, no salt or butter | | Plain baked potato, no skin | Yes, small amount | Skip skin, skip toppings | | Plain mashed potato with water only | Yes, small amount | No dairy, no salt | | Raw potato | No | Solanine risk, choking risk | | Green or sprouted potato | No | High solanine, discard | | Potato skin | No | Solanine concentrates here | | Mashed potato with butter, milk, or cream | No | Fat and lactose | | Potato with cheese | No | Fat, lactose, salt | | French fries, chips, hash browns | No | Oil, salt, sometimes onion or garlic | | Potato salad | No | Mayo, onion, seasoning | | Scalloped or au gratin potatoes | No | Dairy, fat, salt | | Potato bread or potato chips | No | Salt, fat, additives | ## Hidden Risks in Potato Dishes The potato itself is only part of the risk. The rest comes from what is added. **Onion and garlic.** These are common in potato dishes, including potato salad, casseroles, and seasoned fries. Onion and garlic damage feline red blood cells and can cause anemia. Powdered forms are just as dangerous. **Salt.** Chips, fries, and seasoned potatoes are loaded with sodium. A large salt load can cause vomiting, tremors, and worse. **Fat.** Butter, oil, cheese, and cream can trigger pancreatitis. **Xylitol and other sweeteners.** Some processed potato products, especially flavored or "diet" versions, may contain sweeteners that are toxic to pets. Check labels, or better, avoid these foods entirely. **Choking and blockage.** Any firm chunk of potato can lodge in the throat or intestine. Cut pieces small, or skip them. ## How to Offer Potato Safely If you decide to share potato, follow these steps. 1. Choose a fresh potato with no green spots and no sprouts. 2. Peel it completely. 3. Boil or bake it plain, with no salt, oil, or seasoning. 4. Let it cool to room temperature. 5. Cut a piece no bigger than a pea. 6. Offer it once. Watch your cat for 24 hours. 7. If your cat has any vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, stop and call your veterinarian. Do not make potato a daily habit. Treats should stay a small fraction of your cat's daily calories. If your cat has diabetes, kidney disease, pancreatitis, or obesity, ask your veterinarian before giving any potato at all. ## What If Your Cat Ate Too Much or Ate the Wrong Kind? Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away if your cat ate raw potato, green potato skin, or a potato dish with butter, cheese, onion, or garlic. Signs to watch for include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, stomach pain, weakness, tremors, or collapse. These can start within hours. Do not wait to see if it passes. Do not try to make your cat vomit at home. Your veterinarian will decide whether treatment is needed and will calculate any medication dose based on your cat's weight and health. If your cat only ate a small piece of plain cooked potato, watch for mild stomach upset and call if signs appear. Most mild cases settle on their own, but a veterinarian should make that call. ## Safer Alternatives to Potato If your cat wants a treat, protein-based options are better. - Plain cooked chicken, no bones, no seasoning. See [Can Cats Eat Cooked chicken? Bones & Protein Guidelines](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-cooked-chicken-bones-protein-guidelines). - Plain cooked salmon, fully cooked to destroy thiaminase. See [Can Cats Eat Salmon? Cooked vs Raw Thiaminase Risks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-salmon-cooked-vs-raw-thiaminase-risks). - Commercial cat treats formulated for cats. - A small piece of plain cooked egg. - A bite of plain cooked lean meat with no seasoning. Avoid processed meats like hot dogs. They are high in salt, fat, and preservatives, and some contain onion or garlic powder. You can read more in [Can Cats Eat Hot Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/can-cats-eat-hot-dogs). ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article covers general information. Every cat is different, and individual cases need a veterinarian who can examine your cat and review its history. Contact your veterinarian the same day if your cat ate raw potato, green potato skin, or a potato dish with butter, cheese, onion, or garlic. Also call if your cat has mild vomiting or soft stool after eating potato. Go to an emergency clinic now if your cat has repeated vomiting, bloody diarrhea, tremors, weakness, collapse, trouble breathing, or a swollen or painful abdomen. These signs can point to solanine toxicity, pancreatitis, or a blockage, and they need urgent care. Schedule a routine visit if your cat has eaten potato regularly and you are worried about weight gain, diabetes risk, or diet quality. Your veterinarian can help you build a balanced feeding plan. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Can cats eat potato skins? No. Potato skin is where solanine concentrates, especially on green or sprouted potatoes. Even cooked skin can carry toxin if the potato was green. Peel the potato and throw the skin away. ### Can cats eat sweet potato instead? Sweet potato is a different plant and does not contain solanine in the same way. Plain cooked sweet potato is generally safe in small amounts, but it is still a carbohydrate treat with no real benefit for a cat. Keep portions tiny and skip any added butter, sugar, or marshmallow. ### Can kittens eat potato? Kittens should not eat potato. Growing kittens need a complete and balanced kitten diet with high-quality animal protein. Table food, including potato, can unbalance their nutrition and cause stomach upset. Ask your veterinarian before offering any human food to a kitten. ### Can cats eat potato chips? No. Potato chips are fried, salted, and often flavored with onion or garlic powder. They are high in fat and sodium and offer no nutrition. Keep chips away from your cat, including the bag. ### What should I do if my cat ate mashed potatoes with butter? Call your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline. Butter and dairy can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cats pancreatitis. Watch for signs over the next 24 hours and follow your veterinarian's advice. ## Related Articles - [Can Cats Eat Uncooked Hot Dogs? Risks and Safer Options](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/can-cats-eat-uncooked-hot-dogs) - [Can Cats Eat Cooked chicken? Bones & Protein Guidelines](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-cooked-chicken-bones-protein-guidelines) - [Can Cats Eat Hot Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/can-cats-eat-hot-dogs) - [Will Cats Eat Hot Dogs](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/will-cats-eat-hot-dogs) - [Can Cats Eat Salmon? Cooked vs Raw Thiaminase Risks](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-food-safety/can-cats-eat-salmon-cooked-vs-raw-thiaminase-risks) - [Can Cats Eat Tuna Raw](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/clinical-methods/can-cats-eat-tuna-raw) - [Can Cats Eat Sweet Potatoes? Skin, Raw, and More](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/can-cats-eat-sweet-potatoes) - [Can Cats Eat Green Beans? Raw, Cooked, and Canned](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/can-cats-eat-green-beans) - [Can Cats Eat Cabbage? Raw, Cooked, and Leaf Safety](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/toxicology-and-food-safety/can-cats-eat-cabbage) ## References 1. [Characteristics of Nutrition and Metabolism in Dogs and Cats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38625525/). Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 2024. 2. [Effects of five carbohydrate sources on cat diet digestibility, postprandial glucose, insulin response, and gut microbiomes](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36789882/). Journal of animal science, 2023. ## Further Reading - [ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control) - [ASPCA: People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets) - [U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Potentially Dangerous Items for Your Pet](https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/potentially-dangerous-items-your-pet) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Cat Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners)