Dogs and cats have been eating potatoes for years, if for no other reason than they were leftovers from Sunday dinner. However, the intentional declaration of potatoes as a key ingredient in the pet diet is fairly novel.
Like the many ways potatoes are prepared for people, numerous potato and potato derivative products are available to the pet and feed market as whole, dried or extracts. Whole potatoes, primarily russets, most often find their way into canned petfoods such as "stews." Once the whole potato has been cut, it must be used quickly to avoid discoloration due to the polyphenoloxidase enzyme. While this is a protective mechanism to the potato, it causes dark blemishes and a visually unappealing food.
