Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Yes and no, dogs should not eat tomatoes. What to be aware of is that while the tomato itself is generally considered safe for dogs, it is the green parts of tomatoes that contain a toxic substance called solanine. Research shows that a dog would need to eat a large amount of the green parts of a tomato to make them sick, it’s better to skip tomatoes all together just to be safe.
The leaves, stems, and young, green tomatoes contain higher amounts of solanine than ripe fruit. Ripe tomatoes are generally safe. But if you are growing tomatoes don’t let your dog eat green tomatoes or chewing on the stem and leaves.
Some more details about tomatoes: tomatoes are in the nightshade family of vegetables. This means that tomatoes contain a few components that are harmful to certain animals, including solanine. Solanine, a substance found in the stem and leaves of the tomato are harmful to dogs in large quantities.
If your dog has consumed the green parts of a tomato plant watch carefully for signs of tomatine poisoning. Clinical signs of too much tomatine include:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) upset
- Cardiac effects
- Loss of coordination
- Muscle weakness
- Tremors
- Seizures
Symptoms are rare, and the prognosis for dogs with tomatine poisoning is generally good. Call your vet if your dog has any of the above symptoms.