Vegetables
Can cats eat potatoes?
Plain cooked potato is non-toxic; raw or green potatoes contain solanine.
Portion: A teaspoon of plain cooked flesh at most, rarely.
The short answer
Plain, fully cooked potato (boiled or baked, with no skin, butter or salt) isn't toxic to cats. But raw potatoes, green-tinged potatoes, sprouts and the plant itself contain solanine, which is toxic. Mashed potatoes, chips and fries add butter, milk, salt, garlic and fat. Because the benefit is nil and the preparation risks are high, potatoes get a caution verdict.
Why the verdict
Solanine concentrates in the skin, sprouts, green patches and leaves of the potato plant. It irritates the gut and affects the nervous system. Cooking reduces it but doesn't remove it completely from green tissue. Cooked white flesh is mostly starch, which is filler for a cat.
How to prepare it
- Never raw, green or sprouting potato.
- Peel, then boil or bake plain until soft.
- No butter, milk, cheese, garlic or salt, so no mash.
- No chips, crisps or fries.
Signs of trouble
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Lethargy or weakness
- Confusion or slow heart rate (solanine exposure)
Potatoes & cats: FAQ
Can cats eat mashed potatoes?
Not recommended. Mash usually contains butter, milk, salt and sometimes garlic.
Can cats eat french fries?
No. They're fried, fatty and salty.
Can cats eat sweet potato?
Plain cooked sweet potato is non-toxic in small amounts. It isn't a nightshade.
Related foods
See every food that’s toxic to cats →
Sources
- ASPCA — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List — Cats (accessed 2026-09-29)
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets (accessed 2026-09-29)
Last updated 2026-09-29. We are not veterinarians: this guide summarises published veterinary references and is not a substitute for advice from your vet. See our methodology and disclaimer.