Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Read the Expert Advice

Are Tomatoes Safe for Dogs?

Not always!

Tomatoes are part of the nightshade family. This means that they have some parts that make them unsuitable for animals. Tomatine is one of these harmful things.

Tomatine is found in the stems and leaves of the tomato and nightshade plants but it is mostly concentrated in green plants and parts like leaves, stems, and young green tomatoes. Ripe tomatoes are safe to feed to dogs because they do not have as much tomatine as young ones do.

Why Should Dogs Avoid Tomato Plants and Unripe Tomatoes?

Dogs need to avoid feeding off fresh tomato plants or eating unripe tomatoes because they are rich in tomatine. It can cause acidity and can even be toxic for them when given in high quantities.

Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, a renowned veterinarian, recommends, “Tomatoes in moderation are not toxic for dogs. Tomatine is only toxic in very high concentrations, and ripe tomatoes contain hardly any of this compound.”

Dr. Woodnutt further added, “In reality, most dogs would have to eat a lot of unripe tomatoes and plants to suffer from tomatine poisoning. They'd likely suffer stomach upset from eating so much fiber and natural sugars long before they reached a high enough dose to become poisoned."

Several pet owners ask :

• “Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?”
• “Can dogs eat grape tomatoes?”
• “Can dogs eat green tomatoes?”

Grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, beefsteak tomatoes, and other varieties are safe for dogs to eat as long as they are red and ripe. They should not have any green parts on them.

Green tomatoes are not safe for your dog because they can have high amounts of toxic compounds, so they should be avoided.

What to Do if your Dog Eats Unripe Tomatoes or Tomato Plants?

If your dog ate tomato plants or unripe tomatoes, you should make sure they can't eat anymore. Use a barrier around the plants or just stop them from reaching the garden.

It is usually safe to watch them for 48 hours and call the vet if they seem sick. Regardless of the age of the dog, it is worth calling the vet for advice.

“Unless you have a very small dog (15 lbs. or smaller), it's unlikely that even several unripe tomatoes or a couple of leaves will cause a problem.”- expert advice from Dr. Woodnutt.

What are the Signs of Tomato Poisoning in Dogs?

Tomatine poisoning may be observed in your dog if your dog has eaten a large amount of unripe tomato or the green parts.

The usual symptoms of tomatine poisoning are as follows:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) upset
• Cardiac effects (Uncontrollable heartbeat)
• Loss of coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Tremors
• Seizures
• Lethargy
• Drooling
• Weakness

If your dog has these symptoms, it is very important to call a vet. The prognosis for dogs with tomatine poisoning is generally good. These symptoms can also be caused by other serious health problems that are not related to tomatine consumption.

How to Prevent Garden Dangers to Avoid Tomatine Poisoning in Coco?

If your dog shows an interest in your garden, it is best to make sure that the plant cannot be accessed.

If you have outdoor plants, consider fencing them, and if they are indoors, ensure that there is no access for your pup. Of course, your puppy will love all of these newfound adventures, but it can be dangerous for them.

Learn some training tactics to know about how to train your dog to stay in the yard and keep Coco out of danger.

How to Treat Tomato Poisoning in Dogs?

Take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible if he or she exhibits any of the symptoms linked to tomato poisoning:

Fluid treatment is one of the therapies veterinarians may prescribe for poisoning, especially if your dog is vomiting and has diarrhea. Electrolytes and fluids are infused into your dog's body to treat dehydration caused by poisoning and help the body flush out the poisons.

Depending on your dog's condition, fluid therapy may be given via the veins, under the skin, or through the abdominal wall.

Another treatment is gastric lavage ("pumping the stomach"). When inducing vomiting isn't an option, gastric lavage entails putting a tube through the stomach to cleanse poisons.

The veterinarian will establish an emergency airway to prevent asphyxiation if there is a serious problem, such as a dog experiencing difficulty breathing.

When it comes to tomatoes, avoid the danger by starting with prevention. Do you have a tomato plant in your garden? If you do, keep your dog away from it. Make sure that if you grow a tomato plant indoors, it's in a pot off the ground and out of their reach.

If you're cultivating a tomato plant in your yard, fence it off. The best approach to avoid going to the emergency vet is to take preventative measures.

How Can I Safely Share Tomatoes with My Dog?

“Are tomatoes bad for dogs?”

Although the stems and leaves of tomatoes are bad for dogs, it is perfectly safe to let your dog eat ripe tomato flesh. So if you want a snack that won't upset their stomach or give them diarrhea, don’t forget about this delicious fruit.

Many dogs don't even like tomatoes because of the texture, but if your dog is curious, you can offer him a bite-sized piece. The flavor could be appealing, and they might just gobble it up.

It is a good idea to feed your dog foods that have tomatoes in them, but you should be careful. Some dogs might eat tomato sauce from the food of their owner. But, tomato sauce also contains garlic and onions, which can make your dog sick.

If you want to give your dog food with tomatoes, try whole pieces of ripe tomatoes and don't put any sauce on them.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Tomatoes?

Dogs are known for their love of food, but unfortunately, cooked foods or sauces may not be the safest choice.

Dogs can enjoy the delicious tomatoes in pasta sauces and bolognese, but you should avoid toxic practices when cooking them. For example, don't cook with garlic or onion as they give dogs stomach aches. Instead, use spices like salt to season your dish.

Many pet owners ask questions like:

• “Can dogs eat tomato ketchup?”
• “Can dogs eat tomato sauce?”
• “Can dogs eat tomato dishes?”
• “Can dogs eat tomato soup?”

If a recipe calls for tomato sauce without any additional and unsafe ingredients for pets, it is safe to share it with your canine friends.

Keep it simple with ketchup. Plain is the way to go since spicey tastes like jalapeño or sriracha are not good for your dog. However, plain ketchup is typically safe, has no nutritional value, and shouldn't be given to Coco.

It's critical to read the list of ingredients on the ketchup package. Most kinds of ketchup include a lot of sugar, although some also contain xylitol, a sugar substitute harmful to your pet.

Dogs are prone to xylitol poisoning if they eat anything containing it. The xylitol is absorbed into circulation quicker in dogs as a result of this. If left untreated, xylitol poisoning can be fatal.

Which Parts of Tomatoes are Dangerous for Dogs to Eat?

Ripe tomatoes are healthy for dogs to eat, in moderation. Give it to them in small amounts only because having large quantities of it can cause digestive issues. However, there are some parts that you should never feed your pup.

• The tomato leaves
• Any green parts of the tomato
• Any attached tomato vines

Do Tomatoes Offer any Health Benefits to Dogs?

“Are Tomatoes Good for Dogs?”

Since it is not completely unsafe, you may wonder if tomatoes have any health benefits for dogs. Yes, tomatoes are beneficial for dogs. They have some vitamins and minerals like beta carotene.

This is why you may find them in many dog food formulas.

• Fiber: Tomatoes provide soluble as well as insoluble fiber. The pomace form has more of both than the whole tomato because it's been stripped of its liquid content, so all the fibrous parts remain intact. Fiber is important in supporting healthy digestion and maintaining steady blood sugar levels.
• Vitamins: Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, which reduce inflammation, improve their skin's elasticity, and strengthen the immune system. Tomatoes also contain potassium for heart health and Vitamin C to help fight infection and boost immunity.
• Lycopene: It reduces the risk of stroke, cancer, and heart disease in dogs and helps promote healthy bones.
• Beta-carotene: Helps in preventing metabolic syndrome and bettering cognitive abilities.
• Potassium: It helps in promoting healthy blood pressure, muscles and nerves in dogs.

So, ripe tomatoes are not only safe for your pup, but they also offer many additional health benefits to your dog.

Should I Feed Tomatoes to My Dogs?

It is favorable to share your dog’s favorite tomato snacks with them, but you should know that tomatoes are not completely safe for dogs and can even be toxic in some cases.

However, there is a way to share vegetables like tomatoes with your pup safely!

Just make sure they don't eat too many at once or have any green parts along. The safest tomato treat for your dog is a good red ripe tomato.

Now you know that a tomato can make a great food choice for your dog. What other foods are good for your dog? The following guides will help you.

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