The tomato is one of the most used vegetables in the kitchen, either in its natural form or as an ingredient in numerous recipes. When you have a dog at home, it is almost impossible to avoid exposure to tomatoes on a daily basis. But just because food is good for you, doesn’t mean it’s good for your pet too. Can dogs eat tomato? Is it safe for a dog to eat tomatoes?

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Can dogs eat tomato?

Some say yes and some say no. What is the cause of this confusion?

If you still have doubts about it, you will be interested to know that, when it comes to tomato safety in dogs, color is the key.

Can dogs eat raw tomatoes?

It depends. The tomato or tomato plant belongs to the Solanaceae family, like the potato and the eggplant. Plants in this family contain various natural compounds, known as glycoalkaloids, whose presence has pesticide action against insects, fungi, and bacteria.

Specifically, in tomatoes, solanine, and tomatine are found. Both compounds are considered harmful or toxic to dogs and other animals, especially when ingested in large amounts.

But a very important fact to consider is that, although these substances can be found throughout the plant, only the leaves, stems, and green tomatoes have significantly high concentrations.

According to the researchers, the tomato or ripe tomato does not contain dangerous amounts of solanine and tomatine, which is why its moderate consumption is safe for dogs.

So, can a dog eat raw tomatoes without risk of poisoning? Yes. Dogs can safely eat tomato, as long as it is well ripe (red) and is administered in small portions.

What parts of the tomato should not eat a dog?

Dogs should never eat:

Green tomato or not fully ripe (pintón)
Stems, leaves, flowers, or other green parts of the plant
These parts contain higher concentrations of toxic substances and can reach up to 5% tomatine.

Toxic symptoms: what happens if a dog eats a tomato?

In case the dog has eaten a green tomato or chewed the green parts of the plant, it is necessary to observe it to detect the possible signs of intoxication by tomatine/solanine.

The most common symptoms and side effects in dogs are:

Gastrointestinal upset ( vomiting, diarrhea )

Loss of coordination
Dilated pupils
Muscular weakness

Tremors
Seizures
Slowing of the heart rate

Lethargy
Excessive drooling
Behavior changes

It should be noted that most of these symptoms are rare, as a dog would have to eat large amounts of tomato to experience them. Even so, it is warned that in case of ingestion accompanied by any of the above symptoms, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian immediately.

In general, the prognosis for dogs poisoned by eating tomatoes is good.

Treatment: Is Canine Tomato Poisoning Treatable?

Yes. A dog that experiences symptoms of toxicity after ingesting green tomatoes (or parts of the plant) should receive medical attention as soon as possible.

One of the most common treatments is fluid therapy. This is especially recommended if the pet is vomiting and has diarrhea. During fluid therapy, the vet pumps electrolytes and fluids into the dog’s body to treat dehydration as well as flush out toxins responsible for the poisoning.

Another form of treatment is gastric lavage, which helps remove toxins from your system when vomiting cannot be induced.

In very severe cases where the dog is having difficulty breathing, the vet can create an emergency airway to prevent suffocation.

Depending on the amount of tomato eaten, the prognosis varies from fair to excellent. There is no specific antidote available and treatment is primarily focused on managing symptoms and providing support.

Warnings and useful tips for owners

The following precautions can help prevent dog poisoning from inappropriate tomato consumption:

Prepare the tomatoes properly. Be sure to remove any green parts of the plant that may remain on the ripe tomato you give your dog, as well as any other tomatoes within reach in the home.
Control portion size. Limit the amount of tomato eaten. Although the natural ripe tomato can be an excellent vegetable for dogs, its excessive consumption can have negative effects.
Keep tomato plants fenced at home. If you are someone who prefers to grow their own organic tomato plants in the yard or garden, be sure to put up a dog-proof fence to prevent the pet from eating green tomatoes or chewing on the stems and leaves. If you have the tomato plant in a pot inside the house, it must be placed completely out of reach.

Benefits: Is Ripe Tomato Good for Dogs?

The red tomato, also known as a ripe tomato in some regions, can be a very beneficial vegetable for dogs. Its high content of vitamins, minerals, fiber, water, and antioxidants offers them nutritious and healthy properties.

The 5 benefits of eating red tomatoes in dogs are:

1. Stronger immune system

Thanks to its content of vitamin C, tomato helps raise defenses and fight common infections.

2. Better eye health

Vitamin A in tomatoes promotes good eye health.

3. Lower risk of chronic diseases

Beta-carotene and lycopene, both antioxidant compounds found in ripe red tomatoes, have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and bone problems.

4. Good health of the arteries, nerves, and muscles

Potassium is an essential mineral for the health of nerves, arteries, and muscles, not only in humans but also in dogs. It is also essential to regulate blood sugar. Precisely, the tomato is a vegetable rich in potassium,

5. Better digestive function

The fiber in tomatoes is a nutrient that promotes good gastrointestinal function.

As you can see, the inclusion of tomatoes in your dog’s diet can be very beneficial for their health. Returning to what we have said throughout the article, the only condition is that the tomato is ripe and is administered in moderation.

What is the best way to give a dog a tomato?

The best tomato for a dog is one that is fresh, ripe, completely red, and juicy. Regardless of whether it is organic or not, you should rinse it with plenty of water to remove microorganisms and possible traces of pesticides.

Next, make sure to remove any green parts. Consider that vine tomatoes always come attached to the stem and that others usually have the stalk on top.

If this is the dog’s first time eating tomatoes, start with 1 or 2 small slices. That way you can check how it reacts.

How many tomatoes can dogs eat?

There is no standard serving size of tomato that is considered ideal for dogs. Every dog is different and tomato tolerance can vary. Even with ripe tomato, it is important not to overdo it.

As a general rule, the smaller the dog, the smaller the size of the portion ingested should be. It is recommended to give them only a few slices per meal or snack, without exceeding the number of 1-2 medium tomatoes per week.

Although in lower concentrations, the ripe tomato still has solanines, and in addition, it is still a source of carbohydrates.

Easy Recipe: Chicken, Cheese, and Tomato Mini-Pizzas for Dogs

If you are looking for ideas to prepare something new and appetizing for your dog, you can take a look at the following recipe:

Ingredients

1 cup of wholemeal flour
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (parsley, basil, oregano)

1 cup of water or meat broth without salt (chicken, beef)
1 large egg
1 ripe tomato cut into cubes

½ cup shredded lean chicken meat
1 tablespoon grated mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400ºF / 200ºC. Meanwhile, place the natural tomato cubes in a pan over medium-low heat so that they cook and melt (the idea is to obtain a kind of homemade fried tomato). Stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick. Remove from heat when the natural tomato juice has dried.
Now, mix the flour and dried herbs in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the egg while adding the water or broth.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mix well until incorporated and prepare to knead.

Place the dough on a floured surface and roll it out with your hands until you have a smooth, round ball of dough. Transfer to a well-greased baking sheet and roll out to shape into a pizza shape.
Next, spread the cooked tomato over the dough, sprinkle the cheese, and place the chicken pieces on top. Bake for 30 minutes or until crust forms and cheese is melted. Remove from the oven, let cool, and cut the pizza into small pieces.