Potato as a Carbohydrate Source
Cooked potato delivers digestible starch as an energy source in grain-free dry kibble. Not a filler, but a functional carbohydrate source that also gives structure to the pellet.
What is it?
Potato (always in a cooked, extruded form in dry kibble) is a grain-free carbohydrate source used in complete dog formulas. During extrusion the starch granules are gelatinised, which greatly increases digestibility. It is one of the most common alternatives to rice or maize in grain-free food, alongside peas and sweet potato.
Why does it matter?
Carbohydrates provide energy and help give kibble its structure during the extrusion process. In grain-free formulas, rice and other grains are replaced by alternative sources. Potato delivers mainly starch and is naturally low in protein, which can be an advantage when a formula targets a limited protein profile. For dogs that do well on grain-free food, on veterinary advice or by owner preference, potato offers a well-described, digestible energy source.
How does it work?
The starch in potato is gelatinised during the extrusion process. Gelatinised potato starch has high digestibility in dogs: studies comparing multiple carbohydrate sources placed potato in the higher digestibility range, comparable to or slightly below rice depending on processing. Potato also supplies potassium and a small amount of vitamin C. Fibre content (mainly pectin) is moderate. In kibble, potato acts as an energy source and a binder that helps retain the pellet shape. At the formula level, the overall composition (protein, fat, fibre and carbohydrates together) determines digestibility more than any single carbohydrate source.
Benefits
- Delivers digestible starch as an energy source in grain-free dry kibble
- Grain-free and naturally low in protein, fits in limited-protein formulas
- Also functions as a binder for kibble structure
- Well-described digestibility in dogs in peer-reviewed research
Misconceptions
Potato in kibble is not the same as home-cooked or raw potato. Raw potato and green peel contain solanine and are not suitable for dogs. In dry kibble, potato is always processed by high-temperature extrusion, which breaks down solanine and greatly increases digestibility. Chips or fried potato are inappropriate due to their fat and salt content. "Potato is a filler" is a myth: in grain-free food it fills the same energy role as rice does in food with grains. The US FDA investigated a possible link between certain grain-free, pea- and potato-rich diets and heart disease (DCM) in dogs; no causal link was established. Whether potato food is "better" depends on the individual animal and the total formula, not on the carbohydrate source alone.
FAQs
Sources
- Carciofi AC et al. (2008). Effects of six carbohydrate sources on dog and cat digestibility and post-prandial glucose and insulin response. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2008;92(3):326-36. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0396.2007.00794.x (PMID: 18477310)
- FEDIAF (2024). Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs. European Pet Food Industry Federation, Brussels. Annual edition.
