Plain cooked potato is not toxic to cats, but raw and green potatoes contain solanine, a toxin from the nightshade family, and potato is starchy with little value for a carnivore. A small bite of plain cooked potato is okay; raw, green, or seasoned potato is not.
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Caution — cooked plain only, never raw or greenAmount, form, or frequency matters
Can cats eat potatoes? 🥔
Plain cooked potato is not toxic to cats, but raw and green potatoes contain solanine, a toxin from the nightshade family, and potato is starchy with little value for a carnivore. A small bite of plain cooked potato is okay; raw, green, or seasoned potato is not.
Source-linked record · Last reviewed July 17, 2026 · Not veterinary advice
Why this answer
Potatoes are nightshades, and raw or green potato, along with the sprouts, leaves, and stems, contains solanine, a glycoalkaloid toxic to cats that cooking largely destroys in the peeled flesh. Even cooked, potato is a starchy food an obligate carnivore has no need for, and fried or buttery versions add fat and salt, so caution is warranted.
Watch for
Vomiting or diarrhea after raw or green potato
Lethargy or weakness in a larger solanine exposure
Drooling or belly pain from the toxin
How much is okay
At most a small bite of plain cooked potato, rarely — never raw potato, green potato, peels, sprouts, or fried versions.
Serve it safely
Only ever offer plain, fully cooked potato flesh, in a tiny amount.
Keep raw potatoes, green ones, peels, and sprouts out of reach.
Skip fries, chips, and mashed potato made with butter, salt, garlic, or milk.
Sources and evidence notes (3)
Poison List
Pet Poison Helpline — Veterinarian-maintained toxin database for dogs and cats, reachable at (855) 764-7661, with per-substance toxicity levels, signs, and species notes.
People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Multi-species veterinary toxicology list covering alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, coconut, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, milk and dairy, nuts, onions, garlic and chives, raw meat and eggs, salty snacks, xylitol, and yeast dough.
Poisons
Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — Feline-specific poisoning overview covering common household toxin exposures in cats, clinical signs, and the need for prompt veterinary care.
Answer card
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Remove access. Take the food away and move your cat to another room.
Note the facts. What was it, roughly how much is missing, and when? Keep the packaging.
Call before symptoms. For chocolate, onion, garlic, grapes, raisins, alcohol, or anything sugar-free (xylitol), call a hotline or your veterinarian now — early treatment is easier and cheaper.
Never do this
Do not induce vomiting, feed milk, salt, or oil, or wait overnight to "see how it goes". Signs of chocolate or Allium poisoning can take hours to days to appear.
Go to an emergency vet immediately if
Your cat is collapsing, twitching or seizing, struggling to breathe, drooling heavily, vomiting repeatedly, or wobbly on their feet.
Outside the US? Call your local emergency veterinary clinic — keep the number saved in your phone.
Effective: July 17, 2026
Can Cats Eat It? provides general educational information for cat owners. It is not veterinary, diagnostic, treatment, or emergency advice.
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