How boiling changes (and doesn't change) solanine
Heat breaks down many toxins, but solanine laughs at your stove. Boiling might soften the skins, making them easier to digest—which ironically lets more toxin absorb faster. The green color you noticed comes from chlorophyll, which signals solanine's presence but isn't itself harmful. Peeling would've removed most risk, but bowl-sized portions mean your 18 kg dog got concentrated doses from multiple potatoes.
Solanine dissolves in water, so boiling could theoretically leach some out—except you'd have to discard the water, not serve it as part of the meal. In your case, the toxin stayed put in those cooked skins. Think of it like alcohol in food: heating burns off some, but enough remains to cause trouble if consumed in quantity.
Why body weight matters less than you'd think
At 18 kg, your dog isn't a tiny breed where one bite could be critical—but solanine's effects aren't purely size-dependent. A bowl of skins represents many potatoes' worth of peels, and solanine accumulates in the body. What looks like 'just scraps' to us packs a disproportionate punch because dogs process the toxin more slowly than humans do.
Watch for symptoms relative to the amount eaten, not just your dog's weight. A Great Dane might handle a few bites, but a bowlful crosses into danger territory for any mid-sized dog. The first signs—drooling, pawing at the mouth—start when solanine irritates the gut lining. From there, it's a race to see how much gets absorbed before vomiting (if it occurs) removes some.
The timeline of solanine poisoning
First six hours: nausea and vomiting are most likely as the stomach rebels. Hydration is key here—offer ice cubes if they can't keep water down. Hours 6-12 bring either improvement (meaning little toxin absorbed) or escalating signs like diarrhea, tremors, or dilated pupils. This is when you'll know whether your dog won the solanine lottery or needs medical help.
After 12 hours without symptoms, you're likely in the clear for acute poisoning, but solanine can sometimes cause delayed lethargy or weakness as it stresses the liver. Don't assume no news is good news—set phone alerts to check on them hourly through the night. If they're sleeping unusually deeply or can't be roused, it's ER time.
Kitchen triage for potato skin incidents
Don't induce vomiting unless your vet explicitly says to—solanine can cause aspiration if vomited improperly. Instead, offer small amounts of plain yogurt or canned pumpkin (not pie mix). These coat the stomach and may slow absorption. Have a sample of the potatoes ready in a baggie; if you end up at the vet, they can assess the greenness level.
Skip the internet's home remedies like milk or oil—they won't neutralize solanine and may worsen diarrhea. Track your dog's pee breaks: difficulty urinating or dark urine hints at kidney strain. Normal play and appetite are reassuring, but don't trust them exclusively—some dogs power through discomfort until they crash. When in doubt, a vet visit beats regret.
The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Green or sprouted potato food facts page.