Dogs often want to eat whatever humans eat — but that doesn't mean that they should. So, what about tomatoes? Are tomatoes bad for dogs? And if not, can dogs have tomatoes? The answer is: it depends. Read on to learn more about tomatoes for dogs — including when it’s safe for pups to eat tomatoes, and when it isn’t.
Are Tomatoes Safe For Dogs?
Well, yes and no. It is safe for dogs to eat red, ripe tomatoes, but only in small amounts as an occasional snack. Because it can be hard to tell if a tomato is fully ripe, it's easiest (and safest) to avoid giving your dog tomatoes all together.
And while ripe tomatoes themselves aren’t toxic for dogs, there are toxins in tomato plants that can harm your pup. Solanine, as well as its cousin tomatine, are toxins found mostly in the green parts of tomato plants.
Your dog should never ingest the leaves and stems of tomato plants, or young, green tomatoes. Ingesting an unripe tomato or any of the green parts of the tomato can cause symptoms of tomatine poisoning — more on that in the following section.
What is Tomatine Poisoning?
Since tomatoes contain trace amounts of toxins, ingesting large amounts of them cause something called tomatine poisoning — otherwise known as tomato poisoning — in your dog.
That said, the likelihood of dogs consuming a large enough amount of the tomato plant to cause serious injury is slim. But for small breeds and puppies, a smaller amount of tomato can cause poisoning — so it's important to be vigilant.
Tomatine Poisoning Symptoms
Thankfully, tomatine poisoning is rare in dogs and usually isn't fatal. Most dogs that have experienced tomatine poisoning fully recover. However, if your dog eats tomato that is unripe or eats the leaves or stems of the tomato plant, call your vet and keep an eye out for these symptoms of tomatine poisoning:
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness
- Hypersalivation
- Dilated pupils
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Cardiac effects (arrhythmia, irregular heartbeats)
- Gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea, vomiting)
Veterinarians can do a full physical exam of your dog, and blood work or an ECG to diagnose tomatine poisoning. If your pup does have tomatine poisoning, veterinarians may induce vomiting and/or ask you to monitor them.
Some dogs may show an allergic reaction to tomatoes. This is rare, but symptoms include: hives, coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. If you see any of these symptoms in your pup, contact your vet immediately.
How To Prevent Dogs from Eating Too Many Tomatoes
The easiest way to prevent your dog from eating too many tomatoes is to restrict their access to them. If you have a garden at home, it’s a good idea to keep it fenced off so your dog can’t sample any of the produce. If you grow tomatoes inside, keep them somewhere out of reach for your pup (not on the table or counter — these spots aren’t dog-proof), where they can't be easily knocked over.
Finally, always keep an eye on your dog whenever you're cooking with tomatoes. You never know if they might try to help themselves to a little snack when you're not looking.
FAQs
Can Dogs Eat Tomato Sauce?
It’s not a good idea to let your dog eat tomato sauce. The high sugar and salt content isn’t good for them, and ingredients like garlic, onion, and certain spices and herbs can cause digestive issues or even toxicity.
Can Dogs Eat Tomato Soup?
Don't feed your dog tomato soup. Just like with tomato sauce, tomato soup often contains additional ingredients like onions, garlic, and spices that can be harmful to pups.
Can Dogs Eat Canned Tomatoes?
Dogs should not eat canned or tinned tomatoes. They contain preservatives, salt (which can cause dehydration in high doses), and added ingredients like onions and garlic which can be harmful for your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Ketchup?
While a small amount of ketchup likely won't harm your dog, it's not necessarily something they should have. Most store-bought ketchups include additives that aren't good for pups, and some low-sugar ketchups may even contain artificial sweeteners like xylitol (which is toxic to dogs).
Can Puppies Eat Tomatoes?
Just like adult dogs, puppies can eat ripe tomatoes in small amounts, but should never eat green, unripe tomatoes or any part of the tomato plant. Your puppy’s gut is more sensitive than that of an adult dog, so it’s probably best to avoid feeding them tomatoes altogether.
At Jinx, we're here to upgrade the way you care for your dog by providing holistic nutrition made with thoughtful formulation, real ingredients, and a whole lot of love.