Dogs have curious appetites, which might explain why they look at us while we’re eating something that they should or should not have in general. They sit there in anticipation, hoping you give them a piece of something. You might be eating something that’s healthy for you, like tomatoes.
The real question is: can dogs eat tomatoes? The short answer: yes and no. More importantly, feeding your dogs human food isn’t always the wisest decision. However, we will go in-depth in terms of whether or not feeding your dogs tomatoes is a good idea and why it might not always be.
Ready to dive in to learn more about tomatoes and whether your dog should have them? Let’s get started with what to know.
Are Tomatoes Safe for Dogs?
Right from the start, let’s address the question regarding if tomatoes are safe for dogs. For the most part, tomatoes that are ripe will not be toxic to dogs. They will be tasty and a low-calorie snack for them. Not to mention, they are packed with an excellent amount of vitamins and minerals dogs will enjoy to live life to their fullest including:
- Vitamins A and C: Both of these vitamins will work together to help boost your immune system. They can also help improve your dog’s overall skin health.
- Potassium: When it comes to heart health and muscle function, potassium is the perfect mineral to help support such health functions in dogs. They will be stronger and able to stay more active.
- Fiber: Excellent for improving and supporting digestion and gut health. It can go quite well with some of Under The Weather’s line of supplements including our Probiotic Soft Chews for dogs. Especially if your dog does deal with digestive issues of their own at times.
While dogs can enjoy tomatoes, it is important to be aware of something. Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family. In other words, they are plants known for containing compounds such as solanine and tomatine. Please note that these compounds will be harmful to dogs if consumed in large quantities. Ripe tomatoes will have trace amounts while green tomatoes and tomato plants will have higher concentration levels of them.
Therefore, it is important to determine that ripe tomatoes will be safe for dogs. Green unripened tomatoes are a no-go when fed to your dog. If you grow tomato plants and they can be easily accessible to a dog with a curious appetite, you will need to relocate them to a place where your dog won’t be able to access them.
What Are the Dangers of Tomatoes for Dogs?
As mentioned, ripe tomatoes will be safe for dogs. However, certain parts of the plant it grows on will be dangerous. Your dog may be at a higher risk of facing these dangers if a plant is easily accessible (as mentioned before). To take things a step further, here are some dangers that may exist in dogs and what to look out for especially if they have been potentially exposed to tomatine and solanine:
Tomatine and Solanine Poisoning
Green tomatoes, stems, and leaves will have a high level of tomatine and solanine concentration. As mentioned, consuming these compounds in large amounts will be harmful to dogs. If your dog has been close to a tomato plant or even eating green tomatoes from them, you may need to look out for any symptoms of poisoning in dogs including:
- Lethargy
- Muscle weakness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Tremors
- Seizures (typical in severe cases)
- Dilated pupils
If your dog has ingested toxic parts of a tomato plant or unripe tomatoes, you will need to contact your veterinarian immediately. This will allow you to treat tomatine and solanine poisoning before your dog experiences the symptoms.
Digestive Issues
This can occur even if your dog is fed ripe tomatoes. Excessive consumption can lead to an upset stomach, loose stools, and even a mild form of diarrhea. As such, it will be ideal to give your dog a small amount of tomatoes for a snack. When in doubt, just give them small pieces on an occasional basis.
Bear in mind that every dog will react differently. For this reason, you can introduce tomatoes to them in a small amount and see how they respond. If they like it, give them a small incremental increase.
Allergic Reactions
Of course, not all dogs will be able to eat tomatoes. One of the reasons (albeit rare) is an allergy. If you feed your dog a tomato and experience potential symptoms associated with an allergic reaction like itching, hives, facial or mouth swelling, and even difficulty breathing, be sure to see a veterinarian immediately (especially if the reaction is severe).
How to Safely Feed Tomatoes to Your Dog
It’s always a good idea to consider safety measures before feeding your dog tomatoes. That’s why we offer the following recommendations on what to do beforehand. Let’s go over what you should do before your dog enjoys tomatoes:
- Choose ripe, red tomatoes: Fully ripe tomatoes that are red and free of green parts, stems, and tomato leaves will be safe to consume. Be sure to double check every part of the tomato before cutting them up and feeding portions to your dog.
- Wash them thoroughly: Like any other veggie or fruit that you and your dog consume for an occasional snack, be sure to wash them thoroughly before you and your dog consume them. The reason for this is that it will ensure that you are removing pesticides or chemicals that can be hazardous to both you and your dog’s health.
- Serve in small portions: Cut the tomatoes into small, bite-sized pieces for a healthy treat. Please note that they should be fed tomatoes as a treat on occasions, not on a daily basis. For treats you can give them on a daily basis, Under The Weather has plenty of options for you to choose from including the Collagen Chews for Dogs that can be excellent for all-round health including healthy joints, excellent digestion, and a strong immune system that will make your dog feel healthier than ever.
- Do not feed seasoned or cooked tomatoes: If you plan on feeding your dog small pieces of tomato, make sure they are raw. If they are seasoned or cooked (such as tomatoes found in tomato sauces, tomato soup, canned tomatoes or dishes), refrain from feeding those to your dog. The reason for this is that they might contain garlic, onions, salt, and spices - all of which can be dangerous to dogs. Fresh and plain is better than all else.
Can Dogs Eat Cherry Tomatoes or Grape Tomatoes?
The short answer: yes. Cherry and grape tomatoes will be great for dogs. However, it is important to make sure they are ripe and given in moderation like regular tomatoes. Because of their smaller size, you still need to cut them in half or in quarters to prevent choking - especially if you are feeding them to smaller breed dogs.
Are There Any Other Alternatives to Tomatoes For Dogs?
If you are feeling apprehensive with the idea of feeding your dogs tomatoes, that’s OK. There are plenty of excellent alternatives your dog can enjoy. Let’s take a look at what they are and how they can be great for dogs in general:
- Carrots: They are crunchy, low in calories, and excellent for your dog’s teeth. They also contain beta-carotene which will be a huge blessing for your dog and their overall health.
- Blueberries: For a fruit rich in antioxidants, blueberries just might be something that your dogs will love. Plus, they have a sweetness to them that isn’t harmful like sugar (and the foods that are littered with it).
- Apples: Apples, when served in slices, will contain an excellent amount of fiber and vitamins for your dog. Before serving your dog this, it is important to make sure you separate the seeds from the fruit itself. Apple seeds are known for containing amounts of cyanide, which can be toxic to dogs (even to the point where it can be fatal).
- Pumpkin: If you are looking for a healthy alternative that will work wonders for your dog, it’s pumpkin. It can also be used for when they may be experiencing issues such as constipation. It also happens to be one of the ingredients found in Under The Weather’s Chicken, Rice, and Pumpkin Bland Diet for Dogs. For dogs that have regular issues with digestion, pumpkin can be an absolute blessing as it can soothe their stomachs on a regular basis.
Just remember to rinse these before feeding them to your dog to ensure they are not exposed to chemicals or pesticides. Like any fruit or veggie, it’s better to be safe and get this done than sorry.
Final Thoughts
Tomatoes are safe for dogs if eaten in small quantities (and in smaller bites). They can enjoy excellent health benefits when eating raw tomatoes. We hope this guide has shed enough light to help you decide if feeding your dog tomatoes is the best idea. If not, there are plenty of other alternatives.
Finally, you can also provide them with a healthier diet and lifestyle with Under The Weather’s line of products. See what we have in stock that will be the best fit for your dog right now.
