Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
Yes, but only ripe red tomatoes, in small amounts. Green tomatoes and the leaves and stems of the tomato plant contain tomatine and solanine, which can poison a dog.
What it gives your dog
The flesh of a ripe tomato provides water, lycopene, potassium and vitamin C with about 18-20 kcal per 100 g, and in that form the glycoalkaloids it contains are present only in tiny amounts. That is why a few wedges of red tomato are no problem for most dogs.
The tomato plant is another story. The leaves, stems and green tomatoes concentrate tomatine and solanine, glycoalkaloids that irritate the digestive system and, in large amounts, affect the nervous system and heart. It is rare for a dog to eat enough to be poisoned, but dogs with access to the vegetable garden who chew on the plants are the most at risk. Tomato sauces and bases also contain onion, garlic, salt and sugar.
How to serve it
- Only red, fully ripe tomatoes, washed
- With no stem or green part
- In wedges or cubes, or a cherry tomato cut into quarters
- Never green tomatoes, sauces, ketchup or tomato-and-onion bases
How much can they eat?
Now and then: small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb), 1-2 wedges or one cherry tomato (15-20 g); medium dog (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb), 30-40 g (about 1 oz); large dog (over 25 kg / 55 lb), 50-60 g (about 2 oz).
Risks
- Green tomatoes, leaves and stems: tomatine and solanine
- Sauces, ketchup and cooked tomato bases: onion, garlic, salt and sugar
- Acidity: can upset dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Whole cherry tomatoes: choking in small dogs
Frequently asked questions
Are tomato plants bad for dogs?
Yes, the plant is the risky part. The leaves, stems and green fruit contain far more tomatine and solanine than ripe tomatoes. If you have a vegetable garden, protect the plants with a fence or netting, especially if your dog is young and chews everything. If you see them eating the plant, move them away and call your vet.
Can dogs eat ketchup or tomato sauce?
It is not recommended. Ketchup and store-bought tomato sauce contain sugar, salt and often onion powder, and most homemade sauces include onion and garlic, which damage dogs' red blood cells. A bit of sauce on stolen pasta is not usually a problem, but do not give it regularly or in large amounts.
Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?
Yes, if they are red and ripe, but cut them in halves or quarters. Because of their round shape and size, a whole cherry tomato can get stuck in the throat of a small dog or one who swallows without chewing. Remove the green stem and give them one at a time as a treat, not by the handful.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.