Can dogs or cats eat tomatoes?

Yes, ripe red or orange tomatoes are safe for dogs to eat as part of a balanced diet. There are many varieties of tomato, and each has their own unique flavour and texture. You can enjoy experimenting with the different types of tomato and seeing which your dog prefers more.

Are tomatoes good for dogs?

Tomatoes have a variety of health boosting elements. They contain calcium, vitamin C and K, potassium, and lycopene. These micronutrients have varied health benefits, including reducing the risks of some types of cancers, anti-oxidant properties, and aiding in bone health.

How should I prepare tomatoes?

Tomatoes can be fed fresh or cooked. If feeding fresh tomatoes, you can slice, mash, dice, or puree the tomatoes for maximum variation. When cooking the tomato, remember to feed plain tomatoes with no extras such as condiments or sauces.

You can feed tomatoes with the skin on or off, as both are safe for dogs. Do not give a whole tomato as this can be a choking hazard for your dog.

Can dogs eat tomato leaves or stems?

No, do not let your dog eat tomato leaves or stems. They contain higher concentrations of tomatine (a toxic compound) than the ripe tomato, which can make your dog feel unwell. Fence off plants in the garden, or use a greenhouse to keep tomato plants out of reach of your dog.

Can dogs eat green tomatoes?

Green tomatoes are unripe, so like the leaves and stems of the tomato plant, they contain higher concentrations of tomatine. It's best to wait until the tomato changes from green to red before letting your dog eat the tomato.

What should I do if my dog eats too many tomatoes?

If your dog eats unripe tomato, or the leaves or stems of the tomato plant in large amounts, (for example, you find your dog has accidentally destroyed your tomato patch), we recommend that you call the vet. Ingesting large amounts of tomatine can lead to tomatine poisoning (very rare), so seek vet advice on what to do next.

What’s tomatine poisoning?

Tomatine is a glycoalkaloid found in the tomato and tomato plant. This means the tomato plants contain a naturally occurring toxin. The concentration is higher in the green portions, but as the fruit ripens, the concentration of the natural toxin reduces to safe levels.

Thankfully, your dog would have to eat a huge amount of tomato or tomato plants to reach toxic levels, so poisoning is rare.

Signs of tomatine poisoning include:

• Collapse

• Diarrhoea

• Drooling

• Lethargy

• Seizures and tremors

• Vomiting

If you notice these symptoms, seek vet help straight away.

Can dogs eat tomato-based products, like ketchup?

No, ketchup is packed with added sugar and salt, both of which will not benefit your dog's health. Instead, stick to feeding the tomato fruit in its natural form.

Can dogs eat tomato soup or homemade sauces?

Any sauces or soups with added ingredients should not be fed to dogs. Ingredients like garlic and onion can be toxic to dogs, and some of the ingredients we use commonly in recipes, such as salt and sugar, are detrimental to your dog's long-term health.