Can Cats Eat Potatoes?

Yes, but only plain, fully cooked potatoes in very small amounts. Raw potatoes and green potatoes can be harmful because they contain glycoalkaloids such as solanine, and potatoes are not a nutritionally important food for cats.

Talk to a vet
Monitor at Home

Plain cooked potatoes are okay in tiny amounts — raw or green potatoes are not

A small bite of plain, fully cooked potato is generally safe for most cats, but it should only be an occasional treat. Raw potatoes, green potatoes, sprouts, and potato plants can contain glycoalkaloids such as solanine that may cause poisoning, and rich potato dishes with onion, garlic, salt, butter, or cream are not safe for cats.

How urgent is this?

Emergency

Go to the ER now

  • ● Cat ate a large amount of raw potato, green potato, potato sprouts, or potato plant material
  • ● Seizures, tremors, severe weakness, collapse, or trouble breathing
  • ● Repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea, or marked lethargy after eating potato
Urgent

See a vet within 24 hours

  • ● Cat ate potatoes cooked with onion, garlic, chives, or heavy seasoning
  • ● Vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unusual behavior after eating raw potato
  • ● Your cat is very young, elderly, has other medical problems, or you are unsure how much was eaten
Monitor

Watch at home, call if it worsens

  • ● Cat ate a small bite of plain, cooked potato and is acting normal
  • ● Mild soft stool after eating too much plain cooked potato
  • ● Your cat licked a tiny amount of plain mashed potato without toxic add-ins

How to Safely Feed Potatoes to Your Cat

If you offer potato at all, keep it plain, fully cooked, and very limited. Cats are obligate carnivores, so potato should never replace a balanced cat food and is best treated as an occasional nibble rather than a regular snack.

  • Only offer fully cooked potato such as boiled or baked potato with no skin that is green, no sprouts, and no raw pieces
  • Serve plain only — no onion, garlic, chives, salt, butter, sour cream, cheese, or gravy
  • Keep portions tiny, such as a teaspoon or less for most cats as an occasional treat
  • Skip fried potatoes, chips, and heavily seasoned mashed potatoes because the fat, salt, and additives can upset your cat's stomach
  • If your cat ate raw or green potato, or seems unwell after eating potato, call your vet
📋

Common Questions

Can cats eat raw potatoes?
No. Raw potatoes are not considered safe for cats because they can contain glycoalkaloids such as solanine, especially if the potato is green or sprouting. Raw potato is also harder to digest and more likely to cause stomach upset.
Can cats eat mashed potatoes?
Only if they are completely plain and fed in a very small amount. Most mashed potatoes made for people contain butter, milk, cream, salt, garlic, or onion, and those ingredients can be unsafe for cats.
Are potato chips or french fries safe for cats?
No, they are not a good choice. Chips and fries are high in salt and fat, and seasonings may include onion or garlic powders, which are especially dangerous for cats.
What symptoms can potato poisoning cause in cats?
Potential signs after eating raw or green potato or potato plant material include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, and in more serious cases tremors or other neurologic signs. If your cat shows any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian promptly.
How is this different for cats versus dogs?
The basic potato risk is similar in both species: plain cooked potato may be tolerated, while raw or green potato is risky because of glycoalkaloids. However, cats are obligate carnivores and generally have less reason to eat starchy foods, and they are also more sensitive than dogs to some common potato dish add-ins such as onion and garlic.

Sources

  1. Pets and Produce: Top Tips on Vegetable Garden Safety — ASPCA
  2. Common Cat Hazards — Cornell Feline Health Center
  3. Food Allergies — Cornell Feline Health Center
  4. Plants Poisonous to Animals — Merck Veterinary Manual
  5. Can Cats Eat Potatoes? Cooked vs Raw Safety — SpectrumCare

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.

Related Articles

Can Dogs Eat Almonds? Safety Guide

Read more →

Can Dogs Eat Anchovies? Safety Guide

Read more →

Can Dogs Eat Apples? Safety Guide

Read more →

Can Dogs Eat Potatoes? Safety Guide

Read more →

Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes? Safety Guide

Read more →

Not sure if this is safe for your cat?

Get personalized advice from a licensed veterinarian.

Talk to a vet