Can you feed your dog tomatoes? Are tomatoes safe for dogs to eat?

Understanding which human foods are OK for your furry best friend to eat can be confusing, especially when they stare at you with puppy dog eyes.

However, you must understand which foods are poisonous for dogs and which are not, as this can be a matter of life and death.

For some foods, there is no straight yes or no, for example, tomatoes.

Read this article to discover when giving your pup a tomato is safe.

What are tomatoes?

Tomatoes are a versatile cooking ingredient, but there is a classic debate over whether they are a fruit or vegetable.

The botanical classification says fruit. From a culinary perspective, however, they are often used as vegetables. 

Fresh tomatoes contain fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The health benefits of tomatoes include improving skin and reducing heart disease and cancer risk. The fruit also contains nutrients: 

• Vitamin A: Helps protect vision and the immune system, promotes growth, and helps the heart and lungs work correctly.
• Vitamin C: Helps protect your cells against the effects of free radicals.
• Potassium: Helps maintain normal fluid levels inside our body cells. It also helps muscles contract and supports normal blood pressure.
• Vitamin K: Helps make various proteins needed for blood clotting and building stronger bones.  
• Lycopene: A carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red color and a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage.

Can dogs eat tomatoes?

Now that we know tomatoes are an excellent option for humans, what about dogs? The answer is both yes and no; it depends.

If you give your dog a small amount, it will be very beneficial to its health. It is suggested that you only give your dog red tomatoes.

Problems can arise when your dog consumes too many tomatoes or green tomatoes that are not ripe.

If you grow tomatoes, keeping your dog away from the plant is essential. The tomato is part of the nightshade family, which also includes eggplants, potatoes, and peppers.

You must be cautious of the green parts of the tomato plant, including the stem, leaves, and unripe green tomatoes.

Solanine and tomatine toxins cause tomato poisoning and are included in the green parts of the plant, so keep your dog away from tomato plants.

Safely feed your dog tomatoes

When introducing tomatoes into your dog’s diet, starting with small amounts to monitor their reaction is vital.

When feeding tomatoes, Offer a small piece of ripe fruit to see how your dog responds.

You can gradually increase the portion size if there are no adverse reactions.

Depending on your dog’s size, it is recommended that you limit the portion size to a few small slices or cubes per serving. If you give your dog grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, limit servings to one or two.

As a general guideline, tomatoes should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s diet to prevent an upset stomach, diarrhea, or other potential digestive issues.

Avoid giving your dog pasta sauce. Other ingredients, such as onions, garlic, and salt, are toxic to dogs.

Consider a small tomato serving as a snack or treat rather than a major part of the meal.

Always consult your veterinarian before making significant changes to your dog’s diet.

What is tomato poisoning?

Tomato poisoning is the over-ingestion of toxins in some tomatoes, called Solinanine and tomatine.

Although limited studies have been conducted, tomatine does not seem to affect humans, only animals. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, solanine is a toxic glycoalkaloid that, if ingested, may cause poisoning in humans and animals.

This poisoning is more often found in potatoes. However, it would take a large consumption of these toxins to get sick.

If you have a small dog, though,  it is essential to be on the watch because they will be affected by a smaller quantity.

How to know if your dog is in danger

If you have a suspicion that your dog may be poisoned, look out for these symptoms:

• Hypersalivation
• Inappetence
• Severe gastrointestinal upset
• Depression
• Weakness
• Dilated pupils
• Slow heart rate
• Loss of appetite
• Seizures
• Migraines

What to do if your dog has tomato poisoning

Fortunately, the effects of poisoning usually go away and are not fatal. If you believe your pet has tomato poisoning, take it to the vet. Your veterinarian can run complete body tests and assess what to do next. 

 Depending on the level of solanine and tomatine consumed, the vet may monitor the dog or induce vomiting. Solanine or tomatine poisoning should pass, and your dog should feel as good as new in a few days.

How to puppy-proof your home

It can be stressful having to worry about what your dog may get into when you’re not looking. Unripe tomatoes are only one of the various things a dog could eat, potentially making them sick or worse.

Especially while training your dog, it may be helpful to “puppy proof” your house and yard. 

Avoid feeding them human food in the beginning.

This can help you be sure what you give them is safe. If you have a garden, build a fence to separate your dog from the plants. 

Final thoughts on tomatoes

Tomatoes are not utterly off-limits for your dog. Like many other foods, you must limit the amount you give them.

Always check to see if the tomatoes are ripe.

Call your vet immediately if you suspect your dog may have tomato poisoning. 

Alana Redmond is a content writer who specializes in law and consumer safety. She also works with Lynch, Traub, Keefe & Errante, a personal injury law firm specializing in dog bite injuries and accidents.

 

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