Potato Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 4 min read| 4,661 found this helpful

Highest solanine concentrations are found in sprouted, green, light-exposed potatoes, unripe berries, and above-ground foliage

Cooking only minimally destroys toxic alkaloids, with most leaching into cooking water when potatoes are boiled

Poisoning can cause severe gastrointestinal, neurological, and respiratory symptoms, potentially leading to death in severe cases

FAQ

Is Potato toxic to Humans?

Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases paralysis, respiratory failure, and death (High)

Is Potato toxic to Cats?

Limited specific data available; expected symptoms include gastrointestinal distress, drooling, lethargy, neurological abnormalities, and respiratory distress in severe cases (Moderate)

Is Potato toxic to Dogs?

Limited specific data available; typical symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drooling, lethargy, tremors, and paralysis in severe ingestions (Moderate)

Is Potato toxic to Horses?

Lethargy, profuse watery diarrhea, lateral recumbency, difficulty breathing, foamy saliva around the mouth and nostrils, mucous membrane congestion, weak pulse, and rapid death in severe cases (High)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

High

Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, confusion, and in severe cases paralysis, respiratory failure, and death

Cats

Moderate

Limited specific data available; expected symptoms include gastrointestinal distress, drooling, lethargy, neurological abnormalities, and respiratory distress in severe cases

Dogs

Moderate

Limited specific data available; typical symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drooling, lethargy, tremors, and paralysis in severe ingestions

Horses

High

Lethargy, profuse watery diarrhea, lateral recumbency, difficulty breathing, foamy saliva around the mouth and nostrils, mucous membrane congestion, weak pulse, and rapid death in severe cases

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsBerries, tuber sprouts and seedlings (light-exposed seedlings contain up to 5% solanine), green potatoes, and all above-ground plant parts. Unripe berries contain 1% solanine; flowers and foliage contain 0.5% solanine

Exposure RouteIngestion of toxic plant parts, including consumption of underprepared green, sprouted, or unripe potato products

Toxic Compoundsα-Chaconine; α-Solanine; Solanidine-N-oxide aglycone; β₁-Chaconine; β₂-Chaconine (bitter factor); γ-Chaconine; α-Solaramine; β-Solaramine; Yamogenin; Neotigogenin; Barogenin

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Induce vomiting only if directed by a medical or veterinary professional, within 1-2 hours of ingestion
• Remove any remaining plant material or contaminated food from the affected individual or pet's reach
• Collect a sample of the ingested plant/potato to confirm identification for care providers

Contact Vet Immediately

• Any suspected ingestion of green potatoes, potato sprouts, potato berries, or potato foliage
• Presence of symptoms including drooling, diarrhea, lethargy, difficulty breathing, or neurological abnormalities
• Ingestion of large quantities of unpeeled or underprepared potatoes by pets or livestock

Prevention

• Discard all green, sprouted, or moldy potatoes, do not feed them to humans or animals
• Store potatoes in a cool, dark, dry location to prevent sprouting and greening
• Keep potato plants, berries, and kitchen trimmings of sprouts/green potato parts out of reach of pets and livestock

Treatment & Prognosis

• Gastrointestinal decontamination (emesis, activated charcoal administration) as directed by a medical/veterinary provider
• Symptomatic supportive care including fluid therapy, pain management, and respiratory support as needed
• Monitoring for electrolyte imbalances, neurological function, and respiratory status until symptoms resolve

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameSolanum tuberosum L.

AliasesTuber、Spud、Kartoffel (German)、Erdapfel (German)、Pomme de terre (French)、Patata (Italian)

Toxicity Grade

HumansHigh

CatsModerate

DogsModerate

HorsesHigh

Target Organs

Gastrointestinal tractNervous systemRespiratory systemSkinCardiovascular system

Mechanism of Action

• Steroidal glycoalkaloids inhibit cholinesterase activity, disrupting nervous system function

• Irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa, causing local damage and inflammation

• Disrupt cell membrane integrity, leading to organ damage in severe cases

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle: Symptoms include anorexia, constipation followed by diarrhea, colic, viscous salivation, apathy, drowsiness, collapse, dilated pupils, swollen eyelids, leg eczema, cramps, paralysis, anemia, and death from respiratory paralysis

Sheep: Symptoms include weakness, incoordination, and rapid death in severe ingestions

Pig: Symptoms include anorexia, constipation followed by diarrhea, colic, viscous salivation, apathy, drowsiness, collapse, dilated pupils, and swollen eyelids

Birds: Very severely toxic; ingestion of small quantities can lead to rapid fatal poisoning

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

False Jerusalem Cherry (Coral Tree) Solanum capsicastrum

Visually similar to small-fruited Solanum species; this ornamental species is highly toxic with high steroidal alkaloid content

Costa Rican Nightshade Solanum wendlandii

Ornamental vining Solanum that may be confused with non-toxic garden vines; it is highly toxic if ingested

Jasmine Nightshade Solanum jasminoides

Vining ornamental with jasmine-like flowers that may be mistaken for non-toxic jasmine; it is toxic when ingested

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Related Toxic Plants

Bittersweet Nightshade

Solanum dulcamara

Highly toxic

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.