Potato fries are the perfect side dish for many of our favorite meals! There is nothing quite like a pile of sizzling hot fries, tossed in salt and served with our dip of choice. But have you ever been tempted to feed your cat a little bite or two of your fries? Can cats eat fries, or are they toxic to them? Let’s find out!
Can cats eat fries?
Whether cats can eat potatoes is a very complicated issue! While cats can eat potatoes when they are roasted at high temperatures, your potato fries are not safe for cats to eat.
Raw potatoes contain high levels of solanine, which is very toxic to cats as well as humans. However, cats only need to eat a little bit of solanine for toxicity to occur.
Cooked potatoes contain lower levels of solanine. However, only potatoes that have been roasted at a high heat are safe for cats to eat. Deep-frying potatoes only reduces solanine levels by around 40%, meaning they could still be toxic to cats.
The other problem with feeding potato fries to cats is that they are cooked in oil and normally tossed in salt. Oil and salt are both very unhealthy for cats, and should never be added to their diet.
What are the signs of toxicity?
The symptoms of solanine toxicity in cats include:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Lethargy and disorientation
- Raised temperature
- Abdominal pain
- Excessive salivation and sore gums
- Neurological symptoms, such as muscle tremors and different-sized pupils
In severe cases, solanine poisoning in cats can result in seizures, coma, and eventually death.
What to do if my cat ate fries?
While solanine poisoning is a worrying problem, it is unlikely to occur if your cat ate just one or two cooked potato fries. If you think your cat has eaten a very small amount of fries, monitor them carefully for any of the symptoms listed above. Make sure plenty of drinking water is available – your cat may well be thirsty after such a salty snack!
The risk of solanine toxicity is higher if the fries were raw or undercooked when the cat ate them, or if they had not been peeled before they were fried. Solanine levels are considerably higher in raw potatoes, particularly in the skin of the potato.
If your cat has eaten a large number of potato fries or starts to display any of the symptoms listed above, it is vital to seek veterinary help immediately. Your cat may need to be hospitalized for emergency treatment including intravenous fluids, anti-sickness drugs, and intensive nursing care.
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