Potatoes, present in many cat foods, worry many parents. And for good reason: potatoes contain solanine, a toxic substance for many animals, including cats, dogs, chickens, but also for us humans. At Ziggy, transparency being our fundamental value, we explain absolutely everything about this decried ingredient.
Potato, a toxic ingredient for my cat?
Several foods are toxic and dangerous for our cats . These include coffee, grapes, chocolate, chestnuts and even avocado - avocado contains persin, a fungicidal toxin that is harmless to humans but dangerous and sometimes fatal to our cats. But another food is causing a lot of concern: potatoes.
Mashed, fried or steamed, potatoes are one of the most widely consumed starchy foods in the world. They are found almost everywhere, even in our cats' kibble and some pâtés. But for some time now, and especially since the trend towards grain-free cat food, potatoes have been worrying many parents concerned about their cat's health. And rightly so, since this starchy food contains a toxic alkaloid called solanine.
Potato and Solanine
This substance is concentrated in the sprouts, the green parts but also under the skin of the potato. This substance develops when the potato is exposed to the sun or daylight. By leaving potatoes in a salad bowl, in the open air, you will quickly realize it: sprouts and green spots appear.
Solanine is especially toxic if the potato is eaten raw. In humans, it causes headaches, diarrhea, or in the most serious cases, neurological disorders. In cats and dogs, it also causes diarrhea, but also vomiting and excessive salivation. There is none in cat food, because all the ingredients used are cooked!
That said, solanine is not completely destroyed during cooking. It must be admitted. Soluble in water, solanine is found in the cooking water and in small quantities in the food. But rest assured, solanine is harmless in small doses, whether for us, the dog or the cat!
Why potato in cat food?
Potato is mainly found in grain-free kibble because it is a source of starch.
To make a kibble, it is indeed mandatory to use starch, a carbohydrate “ stored by plants in the form of granules which, when crushed, provide a paste ”. It is a kind of glue that allows dry food to hold together and have an airy and crunchy texture. To date, no manufacturer has yet found a solution to remove starch.
So to replace cereals, other sources of starch are used, including potatoes.
And the kibble at Ziggy's?
We use potatoes to make our dry food for sterilized adult cats and kittens.
We are extremely vigilant about the quality of our ingredients; we really do everything to offer the best to your little cat. Our kibbles were formulated by Dr. Géraldine Blanchard , an internationally renowned veterinary nutritionist who has been working in feline nutrition for over 25 years! And we can tell you that she keeps a close eye on things; each production is carefully analyzed by her expert eye.
And again, let's be clear, solanine is only toxic in high doses. After cooking, the amount is considerably reduced. Traces are tiny.
Be especially vigilant about the carbohydrate level!
At Ziggy, we have worked hard to offer you kibble that is both the healthiest and most balanced possible, with one of the lowest carbohydrate levels on the market. Because yes, the carbohydrate level is to be taken into account when choosing your cat's kibble!
To replace cereals in dry food, other sources of starch, other than potatoes, can be used, such as sweet potato, tapioca, lentils or chickpea flour. But you should know that these substitutes provide a lot of carbohydrates. Some grain-free kibbles can contain up to 50% carbohydrates ; which can be harmful to your cat's health.
In particular, it has been suggested that a diet too rich in carbohydrates can increase the demand for insulin secretion, and thus predispose to the development of diabetes mellitus in cats . For more information, please consult our article on carbohydrates in your cat's diet , also called hydrates of carbon.
Our dry food contains potato starch, and if we prefer it to tapioca or lentils, it is because this ingredient allows us to obtain a low GI (Glycemic Index). This depends a lot on the cooking method, so we favor gentle cooking to limit the carbohydrate intake. In our kibble for sterilized adult cats and kittens , we find between 18% and 25% carbohydrates, at most.
Please note that our kibble is also rich in quality proteins. Don't hesitate to consult the list of all our ingredients. We're telling you, we really show our credentials!
In our pâtés, no potatoes (and no starch)!
We don't want to lie to you (and we never will); kibble is not a perfect food for your pet. And ours won't be, as long as we have to use potato starch to make it. But as mentioned just before, we do everything we can to offer your beloved cat healthy and quality kibble.
That said, if you don't want to give your cat potatoes, the ideal is to opt for pâtés, which do not need starch to be made. Be careful here too with the carbohydrate content! Some pâtés are also very high in carbohydrates.
Our Ziggy pâtés do not contain starch. We have chosen to exclude cereals, starches and legumes. No starch, no problem! And above all, they are very low in carbohydrates: less than 0.6%.
We hope we have reassured you a little on the subject. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. Our super Cat Moms, Émilie, Lysa and Xinaïs will be happy to enlighten you.
Have a question? Contact Ziggy customer service at hello@ziggyfamily.com
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