What are the symptoms if a cat eats Unripe or sprouted potatoes?

Unripe or sprouted potatoes, Severe Gastrointestinal Upset, Neurological Deficits and Paralysis, Cardiovascular Disturbances, Hemolysis and Acute Kidney Injury

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✕ Toxic

Unripe or sprouted potatoes

Q: Is Unripe or sprouted potatoes toxic to cats?

Warning: Toxic. While a small amount of plain, cooked potato is generally safe for cats, raw, unripe, or sprouted potatoes are toxic. The dangerous parts are the sprouts (also called “eyes”), the skin, the stems, and any part of the potato flesh that has turned green. These contain a toxic compound called solanine. Solanine is a natural poison that the potato plant uses to defend itself. For a cat, ingesting it can cause significant gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In more serious cases, if a large amount is eaten, it can lead to nervous system problems like lethargy, weakness, confusion, and a slowed heart rate. To keep your cat safe, store all raw potatoes where your cat cannot reach them. Do not let them chew on potato peels, green parts, or sprouts. Any potato offered to a cat should be ripe, cooked thoroughly, and served plain with the skin removed. If you think your cat has eaten any raw or green part of a potato, please contact your veterinarian.

While a small amount of plain, cooked potato is generally safe for cats, raw, unripe, or sprouted potatoes are toxic. The dangerous parts are the sprouts (also called “eyes”), the skin, the stems, and any part of the potato flesh that has turned green. These contain a toxic compound called solanine. Solanine is a natural poison that the potato plant uses to defend itself. For a cat, ingesting it can cause significant gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In more serious cases, if a large amount is eaten, it can lead to nervous system problems like lethargy, weakness, confusion, and a slowed heart rate. To keep your cat safe, store all raw potatoes where your cat cannot reach them. Do not let them chew on potato peels, green parts, or sprouts. Any potato offered to a cat should be ripe, cooked thoroughly, and served plain with the skin removed. If you think your cat has eaten any raw or green part of a potato, please contact your veterinarian.

Important Notes

Toxic compounds: solanine and chaconine (steroidal glycoalkaloids); highest in sprouts, eyes, and green-tinged skin

Mechanism: glycoalkaloids inhibit acetylcholinesterase (disrupting nerve signalling) and disrupt cell membranes in the GI tract

Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, weakness, lethargy; large doses may cause tremors, heart rate changes, or CNS depression

Even low solanine levels can cause symptoms in cats — do not feed any green potato parts

Contact your vet if your cat ingests sprouted potato or significant amounts of green potato skin

Potentially Toxic Parts

Cooked form

Peel

Skin

Root

Leaf

Stem

Possible Symptoms Reported in Cats

Neurological Deficits and Paralysis

Gastrointestinal · Usually develops within 2 to 24 hours,

Cardiovascular Disturbances

Cardiac · 2 to 24 hours

Severe Gastrointestinal Upset

Gastrointestinal · Usually within 2 to 24 hours of ingestion,

Hemolysis and Acute Kidney Injury

Gastrointestinal · Progressive; typically occurs in the later stages of a severe poisoning episode

Unripe or sprouted potatoes

Metabolic

Disclaimer: This summary was compiled from multiple sources and is for informational use only. It is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Toxicity can vary based on the substance, amount, plant part, and individual cat. If you think your cat may have been exposed to a toxic substance, contact a veterinarian right away.