Can Cats Eat Potatoes? Yes, in moderation: Safe Amount by Weight

In moderation

Yes, in moderation

cats can eat a small amount of plain cooked potato. Never feed raw or green potatoes, or the leaves and stems: they contain solanine, which is toxic. Mashed potatoes with butter, milk, garlic or onion are not suitable.

Potatoes for cats at a glance

Can cats eat it?	In moderation
Calories	About 4 kcal per 1 teaspoon plain mashed potato
Main benefit	Plain cooked potato is not toxic
Main risk	Raw and green potatoes contain solanine
Kittens?	In tiny amounts once on solid food; kittens have sensitive stomachs

How many potatoes can a cat eat?

Vets recommend keeping all treats under 10% of daily calories. One 1 teaspoon plain mashed potato has about 4 kcal. The chart shows the most a typical spayed or neutered adult cat could have in a day if potatoes were the only treat.

Cat weight	Daily treat budget	Max potatoes per day
6 lb (2.7 kg)	18 kcal	4 × 1 teaspoon plain mashed potato
8 lb (3.6 kg)	22 kcal	5.5 × 1 teaspoon plain mashed potato
10 lb (4.5 kg)	26 kcal	6.5 × 1 teaspoon plain mashed potato
12 lb (5.4 kg)	30 kcal	7 × 1 teaspoon plain mashed potato
14 lb (6.4 kg)	34 kcal	8 × 1 teaspoon plain mashed potato

Benefits and risks

Benefits

Plain cooked potato is not toxic
Some fiber
Soft texture

Risks

Raw and green potatoes contain solanine
Mashed potatoes often contain butter, milk, garlic or onion
Chips and fries are salty and fatty

How to feed potatoes to your cat

Bake or boil plain and peel
Mash a teaspoon with no additions
Offer occasionally

What if my cat ate too much potatoes?

Eating more than the recommended amount usually causes nothing worse than an upset stomach: soft stool, gas or vomiting. Skip treats for the rest of the day, keep fresh water available and call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than 24 hours or your cat seems unwell.

Check your cat's full daily needs with the cat food calculator.

Potatoes and cats: FAQ

Can cats have potatoes?

Yes, cats can eat a small amount of plain cooked potato. Never feed raw or green potatoes, or the leaves and stems: they contain solanine, which is toxic. Mashed potatoes with butter, milk, garlic or onion are not suitable.

Can cats eat potato chips?

Not as a treat. They are salty, fatty and often seasoned with onion or garlic powder.

Can kittens eat potatoes?

Yes, in very small amounts once they are eating solid food. Kittens have sensitive stomachs, so offer a tiny piece and stop if you see loose stool. Most of their calories should come from a complete kitten food.

More "can cats eat" guides

Browse lists: all vegetables cats can eat · human foods cats can eat · foods cats can't eat

Sources

This guide is general information for healthy adult cats. Cats with medical conditions (such as diabetes, pancreatitis, kidney disease or food allergies) may need different advice from their vet.

Can Cats Eat Potatoes?