Can Dogs Safely Eat Tomatoes? Benefits, Risks & More

Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?

This is a common question for dog owners. Tomatoes can be found in many gardens, foods, and even as fallen fruit on the ground where dogs can get access to them. So what happens if your dog gets ahold of a tomato? Can dogs eat tomatoes safely or should tomatoes be kept away from canine companions?

Are Tomatoes Safe For Dogs?

The answer is yes, dogs can eat tomatoes, but only in moderation. While tomatoes are not toxic to dogs, the plants themselves can be mildly toxic. The green parts of the tomato plant contain a small amount of solanine, a glycoalkaloid toxin. This includes the leaves, stem, and unripe green tomatoes.

So while ripe red tomatoes are safe for dogs, you'll want to prevent them from chewing on or ingesting other parts of the tomato plant. The solanine found in these green parts can cause gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, dilated pupils, and a slow heart rate in dogs if enough is consumed.

Nutritional Value Of Tomatoes For Dogs

The red ripe tomato fruits themselves are non-toxic and safe for dogs to eat. Tomatoes contain beneficial nutrients such as vitamin A, C, B6, potassium, iron, and lycopene. These nutrients can help improve a dog's immune system, eyesight, skin health, bones, and more.

The main compound lycopene also acts as an antioxidant that can help prevent cancer and aging effects in humans. This may translate to dogs as well since the digestive tract allows for absorption of the lycopene nutrients found in tomatoes.

Benefits vs Risks Of Feeding Tomatoes To Dogs

While tomatoes do contain beneficial nutrients, they make up a very small portion of a balanced canine diet. Since tomatoes are acidic and contain sugars, eating too many tomatoes can cause gastrointestinal upset for dogs in the form of vomiting, diarrhea, gas, or abdominal pain.

Feeding your dog too many tomatoes could also lead to intestinal irritation or inflammation. So while ripe tomatoes are not toxic and provide some benefits, they should only make up a very small portion of your dog's diet.

Can Dogs Eat Cherry Tomatoes?

Cherry tomatoes are smaller in size but remain the same species as regular tomatoes. This means ripe red cherry tomatoes are non-toxic and safe for dogs to eat in moderation. Since they are smaller, cherry tomatoes may be easier and less messy for dogs to eat as well.

However, you still don't want your dog ingesting unripe green cherry tomatoes or chewing on the vine and leaves which contain toxins from solanine. Overall ripe cherry tomatoes are fine for dogs, just be sure to limit intake to avoid gastrointestinal issues.

What About Tomato Plants and Leaves?

As mentioned above, you want to prevent your dog from ingesting any part of the tomato plant except the ripe red fruits. Tomato plants contain some solanine, a toxic glycoalkaloid compound. When ingested in large enough quantities solanine can cause vomiting, lethargy, dilated pupils, diarrhea, and an abnormal heart rate.

While a small nibble may cause only gastrointestinal upset, ingesting a substantial amount of tomato plant foliage can be fatal. If you grow tomatoes in your garden or home, make sure your dog does not have access to and cannot chew on or ingest the leaves, stems, vines or unripe green tomatoes.

Monitor For Symptoms Of Toxicity From Tomato Plants

If you believe your dog has ingested part of a tomato plant, monitor them closely for the next 24 hours for any symptoms of toxicity. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, abnormal heart rate, drooling, and dilated pupils.

Contact your vet immediately if symptoms are severe or you believe a substantial amount of tomato plant was consumed. Timely treatment for toxicity includes induced vomiting, stomach pumping, IV fluids, and other supportive care. With quick veterinary treatment, most dogs fully recover from tomato plant toxicity.

Can Dogs Eat Tomato Sauce?

Plain tomato sauce with no seasonings added is safe for dogs to eat in small amounts. Tomato sauces provide beneficial nutrients from the tomatoes including lycopene, vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium. This can help support your dog's immune health, skin integrity, eye health, and daily energy levels.

However, most commercial tomato sauce varieties contain additional ingredients like onions, garlic, spices, sugar, and sodium which can cause stomach upset. Onions and garlic in particular can damage your dog's red blood cells when ingested in large amounts or over time.

If feeding tomato sauce to your dog, read the ingredient label carefully and pick a low-sodium variety with no garlic, onion or spicy seasonings. Only provide a spoonful or two at a time to avoid gastrointestinal upset. Also mix it in thoroughly with your dog's regular food instead of giving it alone.

As with fresh tomatoes, moderation is key when feeding tomato sauce to prevent any intestinal irritation or diarrhea. Only provide small portions of plain, low-sodium tomato sauce a couple times per week at most as the acidity can cause issues if too much is consumed.

Can Dogs Eat Sun Dried Tomatoes?

Most dogs love treats that are rich, meaty, and bursting with umami flavor. For this reason, many dogs go crazy over sun dried tomatoes! The drying process concentrates the rich, savory taste that dogs naturally crave.

Thankfully for flavor-motivated pups, sun dried tomatoes are safe for dogs to eat in moderation. The drying process causes nutrients like lycopene and vitamin C to become more concentrated as well. Just as with fresh tomatoes, limit intake to a few pieces at a time, a couple times weekly to prevent any stomach irritation from developing.

When picking a brand of sun dried tomatoes, avoid those packed in oil or with added seasonings like garlic, onion, sugar or salt. Instead choose plain sun dried tomato halves or slices with no additional ingredients. This prevents any secondary stomach issues from developing down the road due to ingesting garlic, onion or salty seasonings regularly.

In small quantities, plain sun dried tomatoes can be a tasty and nutritious treat option for dogs! Just monitor your dog afterwards when first trying them to ensure no diarrhea or vomiting develops indicating individual intolerance.

FAQs

Are tomatoes bad for dogs?

No, ripe red tomatoes are not bad for dogs and are non-toxic. However, dogs should only eat tomatoes in moderation as the acidic content can cause stomach upset if too many are consumed.

Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?

Yes, dogs can eat ripe, red cherry tomatoes. Smaller cherry tomato size may be easier for dogs to eat as well. Just don't allow dogs to ingest green, unripe cherry tomatoes or any tomato vine/foliage.

What happens if my dog eats tomato plants or leaves?

Tomato plants and leaves contain small amounts of the toxic compound solanine. Ingesting tomato foliage or vines can cause vomiting, dilated pupils, abnormal heart rate, diarrhea and even death in dogs if a large enough quantity is consumed.

Can I give my dog canned tomato sauce?

You can give your dog a small amount of low-sodium canned tomato sauce plain with no onion, garlic or spice additions. Too much can cause intestinal upset so mix just a spoonful into their food and monitor for vomiting/diarrhea.