Suspect poisoning? US: ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 · UK: 01202 509 000 · Severe symptoms → nearest emergency vet now.

My 25 kg Lab ate a whole plain baked potato, skin and all — is that too much potato for a large dog?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

A whole baked potato is a large, starchy meal that can cause gas, bloating, or an upset stomach, especially with the skin on. The skin may also contain traces of solanine if it had any green tinge, which is toxic. Watch for vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of abdominal discomfort over the next 12 hours. Offer plenty of water and skip the next meal. If she seems lethargic or in pain, call your vet. For future treats, stick to a few small, skinless cubes of plain cooked potato.

Cooked potato — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Plain cooked potato (no skin, no green parts) is fine. Raw potatoes, green skin, eyes and sprouts contain solanine, which is toxic.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Cooked potato is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

Why these cautions matter

Raw animal protein carries Salmonella and E. coli risk, and those bacteria can spread to the people in the household too.

Cooked potato can turn up now and then, but not as a daily habit: keep the rest of the day's food unchanged and watch the next walk and the stool that comes with it.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Cooked potato food facts page.

Open the full food page: Cooked potato food facts →