Are Tomatoes OK for Dogs?

Are Tomatoes OK for Dogs?

Yes; if the tomato is safe for you to eat, it’s safe for your dog to eat.

Ripe tomatoes are ok for dogs to have in moderation.

The key word here is ripe.

Cooked tomatoes and tomato-based food products are also ok for dogs to have in small amounts, as long as they don’t contain other harmful ingredients or additives.

Conversely, unripe or green tomatoes – along with the plants themselves – can be extremely toxic to dogs because of a compound called tomatine.

So how do you know if a tomato is OK for your dog to eat? Since ripe tomatoes contain little to no tomatine, they are perfectly OK for your dog to eat.

Cooked tomatoes are also OK for dogs to eat, but it’s good to keep in mind that many common seasonings are toxic to dogs.

If you feed your dog cooked tomatoes, remember to first check the label for ingredients like garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.

Can tomatoes hurt my dog?

Ripe tomatoes are considered non-toxic to dogs and can be given to them on occasion. Ripe tomatoes, along with cooked tomatoes, won’t hurt your dog.

But beware of unripe tomatoes and tomato plants, as these can be toxic to your dog. Supervise your dog around tomato plants (and gardens in general).

The plant contains both tomatine and atropine, which can cause central nervous system problems and heart tremors in dogs.

Unripe or green tomatoes can be fatal for dogs, but only in very rare cases.

For most dogs, they will recover quickly – but speak to your vet for further advice.

Can I feed my dog cooked tomatoes?

While cooked tomatoes and tomato-based sauces are generally safe for you to feed to your dog, check that they haven’t been cooked with other ingredients that could be harmful to your dog.

Garlic and onion are both toxic for dogs to consume. What’s more, large amounts of salt or pepper can give your dog a stomach ache.

Is it OK for dogs to eat cherry tomatoes?

When ripe, cherry tomatoes are perfectly safe for dogs to eat. Make sure to remove all leaves, stems, and green parts from the tomato.

Dogs should consume cherry tomatoes in moderation and with supervision.

Are grape tomatoes safe for dogs?

Grape tomatoes are safe for dogs to consume, but only if they’re ripe.

Unripe or green tomatoes contain alkaloids that are harmful and potentially fatal to dogs.

Grape and cherry tomatoes could also pose a choking hazard, so only allow these with supervision.

Can dogs have canned tomatoes?

Your dog should avoid eating canned tomatoes.

While the tomato itself may be fine, canned tomatoes are high in sodium and may cause dehydration in dogs.

If your dog consumes canned tomatoes, watch closely for symptoms of dehydration like a loss of appetite, increased urination, or fever. Make sure fresh water is available for your dog.

Is tomato sauce bad for dogs?

Since tomato sauce is made from cooked tomatoes, tomato sauce isn’t inherently bad for dogs.

But tomato-based food products such as ketchup, soup, or tomato sauce often contain added sugar, salt, spices, seasonings, or chemicals that can be harmful to dogs.

It’s always good to check the label for added garlic, onion, or artificial additives before giving your dog tomato sauce.

Is tomato juice bad for dogs?

Although tomato juice can increase both a dog’s salt and water intake, large amounts of salt can be harmful to dogs.

Excess salt in a dog’s diet can lead to kidney and heart problems later in life. It’s best to ask your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet.

Small amounts of tomato juice are OK, but watch out for sodium and additives.

Can dogs benefit from eating tomatoes?

Tomatoes contain fiber, which can help support digestion and regulate blood sugar in dogs.

Tomatoes are also known to contain vitamins and antioxidants, which explains why some dog food products can contain small amounts of tomatoes!

Dogs can benefit from a ripe, red tomato now and then, but as with most things, moderation is key.

What do unripe tomatoes do to dogs?

Unripe tomatoes, along with tomato plants, can cause tomatine poisoning in dogs.

Tomatine poisoning can be serious or even fatal in dogs, but these cases are rare. More often, a dog will exhibit minor symptoms like an upset stomach.

And unless the dog is extremely small, consuming several unripe tomatoes usually won’t do any real damage.

Signs of tomato poisoning in dogs

A dog will usually require large amounts of tomatine before they exhibit signs of tomatine poisoning.

Tomatine poisoning, although not common, is seen more often in dogs that have access to a garden.

If you have any tomato plants, make sure to secure the area and/or supervise your dog at all times.

If you suspect your dog has eaten an unripe tomato or any part of a tomato plant, watch for signs of tomatine poisoning.

These symptoms include, but are not limited to: tremors, seizures, loss of coordination or lack of control, muscle weakness, or upset stomach.

Although rare, tomato poisoning can be fatal for dogs if left untreated. If your dog shows signs of tomato poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Safety Considerations

As with all new foods, start with a small amount of tomato to give to your dog.

If your dog likes it and there is no adverse reaction, let your dog have a little tomato as a treat! Keep in mind that tomato is acidic and too much can cause your dog discomfort.

Remember that unripe tomatoes, green tomatoes, and the tomato plant itself are all toxic to dogs.

Here’s a Pin to save to your favourite dog board…

Hungry for more? Why not check our other food-based articles where we discuss what your dog can and can’t eat.

See you there!