Dried Fruit and Veg

[Missbonbon]

I brought a little bag of dried fruit and veg today for the pigs (Fruit and Veg Feast), but Ive noticed it says it contains dried potato - IS this ok?

Its says its suitable for Rabbits, Guinea, Hamsters and rats..

 

[Charl]

All I know is that potato is poisonous to horses

I have read though, that guinea pigs can only eat sweet potatoes, and the green patches on the potatoes are poisonous. But thats what I've read of the web!

I hope someone comes along to correct me x

 

[Sarah from Chucklebunnies]

Raw potato contains a fairly vicious chemical which causes diarroheoa in humans - that's why we can't eat it raw. Once cooked, the chemical is altered by the cooking and potato becomes harmless. If the potato has been dried out by heat then it will be fine. If you aren't sure, try putting a bit in water and seeing what happens when it's soggy - raw potato will stay in a slimy chunk and cooked potato will disintegrate into a starchy mess.

By the way - the only human tribe to regularly eat raw potato (because they couldn't cook it easily) used to roll it in red clay and eat potato with clay. This method stopped most of the bad side effects!