Can dogs eat tomatoes?
The answer to whether dogs can eat tomatoes isn’t straightforward, but we’ll try to make it so. Yes, dogs can eat tomatoes, but they must be ripe (no green tomatoes). However, dogs can not eat any other part of the tomato plant, including the stem, flowers, and leaves, as they contain toxins that can lead to tomatine poisoning when eaten in larger quantities.
Dogs can be fed tinned tomatoes as long as they are free of seasonings such as salt, herbs, or onion. Always check the ingredients on the tin before giving it to your dog.
Be careful when giving tomato-based products, like pizza or pasta sauce, as they often contain additives and preservatives that can be toxic to dogs.
Dogs can eat slightly cooked tomatoes, and cooking tomatoes makes them easier to digest. Again, don’t add other ingredients or seasoning to the cooked tomatoes.
Can puppies eat tomatoes?
Yes, puppies can eat tomatoes, but it must be in moderation. If feeding a tomato to your puppy, wash and cut it into bite-sized pieces so it’s easy for them to chew and digest.
Introduce new foods slowly into your puppy’s or dogs’ diet in case of allergies or intolerances.
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Get Your Personalised PlanAre tomatoes good for dogs?
Tomatoes contain many nutrients that are beneficial for dogs. These include:
- Fibre: Tomatoes are a source of soluble and insoluble fibre. Soluble fibre is associated with regulating blood sugar levels and the growth of healthy gut bacteria. Insoluble fibre bulks stools, which is great for dogs who suffer from constipation
- Potassium: An important mineral that supports muscle function
- Vitamin C: A powerful vitamin that supports the immune health, tissue repair, and inflammation reduction
- Vitamin K: Important for the blood’s ability to clot
- Folate (B9): Important for tissue growth and the formation of cells
- Lycopene (antioxidant): The nutrient that gives tomatoes their colour. Lycopene is one of the only plant nutrients that is made more bioavailable by cooking it. Lycopene is an antioxidant that’s part of the carotenoid family that helps to keep free radical numbers in balance and protect against cardiovascular disease and several types of cancer [3]
How many tomatoes can dogs have
How much tomato your dog can eat depends on their size. Here is a guide to have much tomato you can feed your dog:
| Dog size | Example breed | Tomatoes (teaspoon) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | Chihuahua, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Dachshund | ½ cherry tomato or 1 teaspoon of a full size tomato chopped up.
To be given 1 or 2 times a week |
| Medium | Border Collie, English Springer Spaniel, Beagle, French Bulldog | 1 cherry tomato or ½ a full size tomato chopped up.
To be given 1 or 2 times a week |
| Large | Labrador, German Shepherd, Great Dane | 2 cherry tomatoes or a full size tomato chopped up.
To be given 1 or 2 times a week |
Are there any reasons you shouldn’t feed your dog tomatoes?
Tomatoes can provide a nutritional boost for dogs, but there are some instances when you shouldn’t give them to your dog, such as:
- Tomatoes aren’t ripe: Unripe tomatoes contain certain toxins, like tomatine and solanine, that are toxic to dogs when eaten in large quantities. Likewise, these toxins are found in the green parts of the tomato plant, so avoid letting your dog take a nibble of them if you grow tomatoes in the garden
- Your dog is experiencing gastrointestinal issues: Tomatoes are acidic, and giving them to your dog when they are having a bout of gastroenteritis can aggravate their sensitive stomach
- Your dog is allergic: Tomatoes aren’t a common food allergen for dogs, but some may be allergic to them. If you give your dog tomatoes and they display symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, itchy ears, itchiness, red and inflamed skin, and swelling (particularly to the face and neck), they could be having an allergic reaction. If this is happening, please get in touch with a vet immediately
If your dog has a sensitive stomach or is allergic to tomatoes, there are plenty of other things you can give your dog as treats. Our dog nutrition guides explain it all. Or, if you want to boost your dog’s nutritional intake, our range of natural dog treats and supplements has everything you need.
How you can feed tomatoes to your dog
Tomatoes are versatile and there are several ways your best friend can enjoy them:
- Chopped into small pieces
- Gently cooked, mashed, and added to the top of your dog’s regular raw food
- Gently cooked, mashed, mixed with bone broth, and frozen into dog lollies
What symptoms will your dog display if they get tomato poisoning?
Tomato or tomatine poisoning happens when a dog eats large quantities of unripe tomatoes or parts of the tomato plant containing the toxin solanine. Common symptoms of tomato poisoning are vomiting and diarrhoea. However, solanine can affect a dog’s heart, brain, nervous system, and muscles. In severe cases, your dog may experience muscle tremors, weakness, incoordination, and seizures [2].
References
- Tomato, Pet Poison Helpline: https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/tomato-plant/
- Can dogs eat tomatoes, The Vet: https://thevets.com/blog/can-dogs-eat-tomatoes/#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20symptoms%20of,%2C%20incoordination%2C%20or%20even%20seizures
- Dog antioxidants: Canines benefit from antioxidants too!, Whole Dog Journal: https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/food/canine-benefit-from-antioxidants-too/
FAQs
Are tomato plants toxic to dogs?
The tomato plant, including the stem, leaves, and flowers, is toxic to dogs, but red, ripe tomatoes are non-toxic, so they can be given.
The tomato plant is part of the nightshade family, which also includes peppers, potatoes, and avocados. The green part of these plants contains a toxin called solanine, which, when eaten in large amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and even confusion [1].
What if my dog ate cooked tomatoes?
Cooked tomatoes that don’t contain any seasoning or other ingredients that aren’t toxic to dogs are safe for them to eat in moderation. If your dog shows signs of an allergic reaction after eating cooked tomatoes, contact a vet immediately. The signs to look out for include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Ear itchiness
- Red, inflamed skin
- Sneezing
- Swelling, particularly to the face and neck
Can dogs eat tomato puree?
No, dogs shouldn’t eat tomato puree as it often contains additives like salt or other seasonings which may be toxic to dogs.
Can dogs eat tomato soup?
You should avoid giving tomato soup to your dog as it often contains ingredients that dogs can eat, like sugar, salt, or onion. If you do want to feed your dog tomato soup, carefully check the ingredients first to make sure if it’s safe for your dog.
Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat cherry tomatoes, but they must be ripe and any of the green parts of the tomato plant removed. Again, cherry tomatoes and all varieties of tomatoes must be given in moderation.
Can dogs eat tomato sauce?
It’s best to avoid giving your dog tomato sauce as it can contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs or which can cause upset stomachs.
