Toxic Tomato Truths 🍅🐶
If you’ve ever caught your furry friend eyeing a juicy tomato slice or sneaking a nibble from your garden, you might be wondering: “Are tomatoes safe for dogs?”
What’s the tomato deal?
The tomato plant and its unripe fruit are part of the nightshade family (Solanaceae). They contain solanine and tomatine, which are concentrated in the green parts of the plant — stems, leaves, the vine, and unripe (green) tomatoes. These are the parts we worry about.
Ripe, red tomatoes are much lower in these toxins and, in moderation, safe for dogs.
What symptoms should you watch for?
If a dog munches on a tomato plant or green tomato, signs to look out for include:
• Loss of coordination or wobbliness
• Loss of appetite
• Muscle weakness or lethargy
• Hypersalivation (drooling a lot)
• Dilated pupils
• Tremors or seizures (in severe cases)
• Abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea
• Allergic-type reactions include hives, coughing, and wheezing
If you have smaller dogs or puppies, they are more susceptible because of their size. If you suspect that your dog is experiencing tomatine poisoning, contact a vet right away. Although fatal poisoning is rare, it is important contact a vet right away. Most dogs thankfully have a full recovery after experiencing tomatine poisoning.
Are ripe tomatoes safe for dogs? 👍
The key word here is RIPE! Ripe, red tomatoes are a safe snack in moderation. The benefits tomatoes bring to the table include fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C, K, B9, and minerals like potassium.
If you plan to give your dog tomatoes, start with small amounts and observe how your dog reacts. Avoid any unripe and foliage of the tomato plant.
Beware, just because your dog can eat red ripe tomatoes does not mean you can give your dog tomato based foods! Pizza and pasta sauces often contain ingredients which are unsafe for dogs, such as garlic and onions. Ketchup can be just as dangerous because those labeled as “sugar-free” often contain the artificial sweetener Xylitol which is highly toxic to dogs.