Tomato is the common ingredient, which is used in many dishes, and sauces to give a different taste to the recipe. But, can you add tomato gravy to your dog’s meal? Can dogs eat tomatoes? Is it safe to feed them?
Curious to know the answers? If yes, then you are on the right page!
Quench your curiosity by reading this “Can dogs eat tomatoes”? We will answer all your questions related to feeding tomatoes to your canine companion. We will also highlight tomato poisoning symptoms, ways to feed tomatoes to your dog, and other related queries.
Let’s explore the facts, and find out whether tomatoes are safe for your canine companion or not!
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Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat tomatoes, but in moderation. You can only feed ripe tomatoes to your dog, it is non-toxic and provides fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants to your dog’s health.
However, you should never feed unripe tomatoes, and green parts of the tomato plants to your dog. It contains toxins such as tomatine, and solanine, which can cause health issues such as vomiting, stomach upset, muscle weakness, and other severe health complications.
In addition, tomatoes are rich in sugar, which is not good for your dog. So, even if you are feeding ripe tomatoes to your canine companion, feed them in low quantities and occasionally. Plus, tomatoes are not the main ingredients for their meal, so do not replace them with their regular meal.
Additionally, while tomatoes belong to the nightshade family, other vegetables like swede are perfectly safe for dogs. This leads to the question, can dogs eat swede?
Are Tomatoes Poisonous for Dogs?
Tomatoes are part of the nightshade family of vegetables, which also includes potatoes, eggplant, peppers, and some berries. Plus, tomato plant contains solanine, and tomatine, which is a toxic substance for your canine’s health. Basically, the green part of the plant contains toxins, so, you should not feed the stem, leaves, to your canine companion.
Here, are some of the signs of tomatine poisoning includes:
- Muscle Weakness
- Loss of Coordination
- Hypersalivation
- Dilated Pupils
- Tremors
- Seizures
- Lethargy
- Abdominal Pain
- Cardiac Effects
- Gastrointestinal Upset (Diarrhoea, Vomiting)
Overall, dogs can eat ripe tomatoes in small amounts, but you need to avoid feeding them in large amounts, and the green parts of the tomato plants. If you notice any sign of discomfort or distress after feeding tomatoes to your canine companion, then consult the vet immediately, for speedy treatment.
Like tomatoes, grapes are another fruit that can be toxic for dogs. So you may be wondering, can dogs have grapes? The answer is no – grapes are very dangerous for dogs and should be avoided
What to Do if Your Dog Eats Unripe Tomatoes?
After knowing the fact, unripe tomatoes, and green parts of the tomato plants are not safe for your furry pal. So, you need to be extra careful, while feeding tomatoes to your dog. If, in case, your dog eats unripe tomatoes, then you need to take immediate action, to avoid any health complications.
Here, are a few immediate action tips, which you need to know to handle such situations.
- Firstly, you need to call on emergency pet clinic number or consult the vet. They can advise you on the treatment, diet, and medication process. Even if you are not able to detect any symptoms, consult the vet for the safety precautionary.
- Check the amount and type of tomato your dog has ingested. If possible, take the sample to the vet clinic. It will help them to examine faster.
- Offer him water to drink, and make sure he gulps an ample amount of water. It will help to dilute the toxin and prevent dehydration issues.
- It is recommended not to try any home remedy. Do not force your canine companion to vomit forcefully, unless it is instructed by the veterinarian. Because this might cause more harm to his body and can lead to severe health complications.
By following these quick actions, you will safely be able to give your pup speedy treatment and prevent him from future health complications.
Ways to Feed Tomatoes to Dog!
As we know, dogs can eat tomatoes[1], but in moderation. Since it is a common ingredient, it is used in many dishes to make them taste delicious. However, it’s not the main ingredient for your canine companion’s meal, so it is recommended to feed them in moderation.
Here, are a few simple ways in which you can feed tomatoes to your dog safely and healthily.
- Firstly, wash the tomatoes, then ripe them properly by removing stems, leaves, or green parts of the tomatoes. As ripe tomatoes contain tomatine, which is a toxic ingredient for your pup’s health, it can lead to stomach issues.
- After removing the green parts of the tomato plants, unripe them properly. Now, it’s time to chop them into small sizes. It will prevent choking issues, and help with easy digestion.
- You can grind the ripped tomatoes and add them to their dry food as well. It will give a different taste to your pup’s taste buds, and different food textures.
By following these simple feeding steps, you can easily feed your canine companion. However, it is not the main ingredient for their meal, so should be provided on an occasional basis.
Like tomatoes, other fruits like grapes and raspberries for dogs should also be fed in moderation.”
What Are the Symptoms of Tomato Poisoning?
Well, tomato poisoning in dogs is rare. But, it happens when he has ingested a large number of unripe tomatoes, or green part of the tomato plant. The toxic substance in tomatoes is solanine, which leads to stomach issues, or gastrointestinal issues.
Here, we have jotted down some of the symptoms of tomato poison in dogs:
- Loss of Appetite
- Gastrointestinal Upset
- Hypersalivation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Behavioural Change
- Weakness
- CNS Depression
- Abnormal Heart Rate
- Dilated Pupil
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your dog, contact a veterinarian or pet poison helpline immediately to avoid any health complications. Let them examine, and take action accordingly, treatment might also include inducing vomiting. Plus, there are chances the vet keep your dog under observation for a day or two.
The best way to prevent your canine companion from tomato poisoning is by keeping them away from tomato plants. Only feed ripe tomatoes on an occasional basis, do not replace them with a regular meal.
Can Dogs Eat Tinned Tomatoes?
The answer to your question is “no“. You cannot feed tinned tomatoes to your canine companion it contains preservatives, salt, onion, garlic, and other ingredients, which are toxic for your canine companion. Similarly, you cannot feed any other types of sauces to your dog, it also includes the same toxic ingredients.
As we learned, dogs can eat ripped, cooked tomatoes, on an occasional basis. But, while feeding one needs to be careful to avoid feeding any part of the tomato plants, such as the stem, leaves, and blossoms, these are not good for your canine’s health.
Note:- You should also avoid feeding pizza, pasta, or salsa to your furry pal. 🐶❌🍝🍕 The recipe contains onion, garlic, and other toxic ingredients, which is not good for your dog’s health.
FAQs
How much tomatoes can a dog eat?
Well, tomatoes are not the main ingredients for your dog’s diet, whenever you feed them it should be within limits. For instance, a few cherry tomatoes, or dice of ripped tomatoes are more than enough for your canine companion. It should be given as an occasional treat, and not replaced with the staple meal. This is because too much feeding tomatoes can lead to tomatine poisoning, stomach issues, vomiting, etc…
Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?
Yes, dogs can eat cherry tomatoes, but in moderation. It is an excellent source of antioxidants, and vitamins, which is good for your canine’s health. However, it also contains tomatine, which is toxic for dogs, so, you need to be extra careful while feeding them cherry tomatoes. We suggest you feed them ripped, and cooked tomatoes, plus avoid feeding any other part of tomato plants, it can be dangerous for your dog.
Can puppies eat tomatoes?
Puppies can eat tomatoes until and unless it is cooked, and ripped properly. They cannot eat unrip tomatoes, green tomatoes, or part of the tomato plants as they contain tomatine, which is toxic for their health. It can lead to health issues such as vomiting, weakness, tremors, digestion issues, heart problems etc… Further, puppies are more likely to experience tomatine poison as compared to adult dogs, so you need to be extra careful while feeding tomatoes.
Are cooked tomatoes safe for dogs?
Yes, cooked tomatoes are safe for your dog in moderation, as long as they are cooked plain. Plus, no ingredients are added to it, which can lead to health issues for your canine companion. Cooked plain tomatoes provide fibre, vitamins and minerals to your dog, but should not be replaced with the staple food.
Are canned tomatoes cooked?
Well, yes canned tomatoes are cooked, but if you are thinking to feed your dog, then we recommend you not to feed them. This is because it contains salt, and other preservative ingredients, which are toxic to your pup’s health.
Can I give my dog tomato sauce and soups?
No, you cannot feed tomato sauce or soup to your dog. It contains ingredients like onion, garlic, salt, sugar, and other additives, which are not suitable for your dog’s health. Plus, it also contains traces of tomatine, which is toxic to your pup’s health. Ingesting these ingredients will lead to vomiting, weakness, diarrhoea, and other health issues. Therefore, it is suggested not to feed tomato sauce or soup to your dog. Instead, you can offer them ripped cooked tomato, which does not include any leaves or stem of it.
Well, That’s a Wrap!
Concluding our blog on: Can dogs eat tomatoes? Is it safe for your canine companion?
As we learned, dogs can eat ripe tomatoes, but in moderation. Further, you need to be extra careful, avoid feeding them unripe tomatoes, and green parts of the tomato plants. It contains toxin such as tomatine, and solanine, which is not suitable for your canine’s health.
Remember to feed tomatoes on an occasional basis, and do not replace them with their regular meal. If you notice any allergic symptoms, immediately consult the vet for speedy treatment. Additionally, all dogs do not react in the same manner to certain foods, so, you need to monitor them closely to avoid any health complications.
By following these simple guidelines, you can ensure that your canine companion enjoys tomatoes safely and healthily.🐶🍅
Reference:
- Saylor, A. (2023, September 28). Can dogs eat tomatoes? PetMD.
