The potato wedges are ready, which has everyone in the house excited.
So you are all set to enjoy, and everyone is happy except for the furry friend who has resorted to staring at you with expressive eyes.
This makes you feel guilty.
Can dogs eat potato wedges?
Yes, it’s ok to share some pieces of the wedges with your dog but make it moderate lest she becomes overweight from all the carbohydrates therein.
Too many wedges can also cause blood sugar spikes and increase blood pressure levels.
Potato products are a common feature in most homes, and with the dog around most of the time, you will always be tempted to share.
So let’s explore how many potato wedges your dog should have, their benefits and the risks.
Nutritional Value of Potato Wedges
Before sharing any human food with your dog, it’s important to know the nutritional value so you are aware of what they are ingesting.
Ten pieces of wedges contain the following nutrients:
- Fats 1.5g
- Sodium 500mg
- Fiber 3g
- Sugar 2g
- Proteins 3g
- Calcium 4%
- Vitamins 3%
- Iron 3%
From the nutritional compilation, it’s clear that a few wedges can benefit your dog in different ways.
How do Dogs Benefit from Potato Wedges
When you sparingly share a few pieces of the potato wedges with your dog, these are the benefits they get:
Energy
Carbohydrates are a great energy source, and wedges provide enough of it.
Dogs need to be energized most of the time as they expend lots of energy playing around.
The dog’s metabolic system converts the carbs into simple sugars that are easily absorbed into the dog’s system to provide enough energy.
Prevent Diseases
The nutritional analysis shows that potato wedges contain vitamins and fiber critical in boosting the dog’s overall health.
Vitamin C is a great antioxidant that helps keep diseases at bay.
Acidity in dogs causes them a lot of discomfort but with the right nutrients, such as vitamin C the dog will be fine.
Keeps the Dog Full for Longer
Potato wedges are slowly digested, which helps the dog remain full for long.
So if you are going on a journey with your dog and have consumed some wedges, you are guaranteed they won’t get hungry any time soon.
By remaining full for longer, you will have reduced the problem of too much eating, which could be problematic for the dog.
What Are The Risks of Feeding Your Dog Too Much Potato Wedges
Pet owners should share human food sparingly with their dogs, especially if too much consumption can harm the pet.
Some of the main risks include:
Weight Gain
Potatoes have starch, and breaking them down can be problematic for your dog.
In addition, by feeding your dog potato wedges too often, you will be subjecting it to the possibility of adding weight.
The wedges could create an unhealthy cycle where your dog craves carbohydrates more often, overeating.
Although some of the carbohydrates will be used as energy, the rest is turned into fat, which leads to weight gain when stored.
Blood Sugar Increase
Once your dog feeds on too many potato wedges, it can easily lead to sugar spikes.
Potatoes are ranked high on the glycemic index, which means they can increase blood sugar levels.
An increase in blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes, especially if your dog has been predisposed to diabetic attacks.
High Blood Pressure
Potato products harbor minerals that alter blood pressure levels, such as calcium.
So if your dog overindulges in potato wedges, it can affect their blood pressure levels.
Allergic Reaction
Potato wedges contain spices and some dogs can react to these ingredients.
The first time you share the potato wedge, check out for any signs of an allergic reaction.
Some of the common signs include:
- Itchiness
- Restlessness
- Swollen face
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you observe any of these, consult the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Tips to Consider When Sharing Potato Wedges with Your Dog
To ensure the potato wedges do not affect your dog, ensure the following:
- Only share a few slices of the wedges as too much could affect the dog
- Avoid sharing wedges made with garlic and spices such as paprika
- Prepare the wedges at home so you can control the ingredients
- Before sharing, consult the veterinarian to get professional advice
- Avoid sharing the wedges if the dog has a weight problem or has had diabetes in the past.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are potato wedges harmful to dogs?
No, potato wedges aren’t harmful to dogs, but you need to control the amount and the frequency, so the dog doesn’t overindulge.
You should not replace your dog meal with potato wedges as the main meal.
Instead, it should only be shared as a snack.
Can potato wedges poison my old dog?
No, potato wedges can’t poison an old dog, but it’s not advisable to share the wedges with your old dog too often.
As your dog ages, its metabolic system gets slower, and the starch from the wedges gets stored in its system leading to weight problems.
Like humans, as dogs age, they are susceptible to a weak health system and are less active.
Therefore, you should only share a healthy diet to keep her energized and vibrant.
You should only share the wedges as a snack and not as a main meal; otherwise, you will be endangering your dog’s health.
At most, you should share the wedges once or twice per week.
It should even be more sporadic for a weighty dog, like once a month.
Conclusion
Potato wedges have some ingredients that can benefit your dog, and they also have some properties that could harm your dog if consumed in large quantities.
Only share the wedges once you are sure your dog is not allergic to the contents in the wedges.
Consider a better dog-friendly snack for weighty dogs that won’t increase weight.
Unfortunately, handicapped dogs are much more likely to be ignored when a family is picking out their new pet. Handicapped pets need more care than non-handicapped pets, so it is understandable why they are often harder to rehome.
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