Can Dogs eat Tomatoes?
The tomatoes’ safety for dogs is quite complex. While ripe tomatoes are considered relatively safe, their green, leafy parts and stems, as well as unripe tomatoes are considered toxic for dogs. Since separating the toxic from the non-toxic parts can be risky and challenging, it is best to assume that that tomatoes are not recommended for dogs.
Tomatoes are toxic because they contain a chemical compound called tomatine. The tomatine is part of the solanine compounds group and have many negative health effects. When exposed to tomatine, dogs show signs of:
• Gastrointestinal upset – vomiting and diarrhea
• Cardiac issues
• Loss of coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Neurological signs – tremors and seizures.
Nevertheless, ripe tomatoes do contain some beneficial nutrients like healthy, dietary fiber, minerals (potassium), vitamins (A, C) and most importantly a phytonutrient called lycopene. The lycopene can reduce the risks of heart attack, stroke and cancer.
All in all, whether tomatoes can be used in dogs depends on how they are used and in which quantities. Generally speaking, they are listed as non recommended food for dogs.
What should I do if my dog ate tomatoes?
If your dog ate unripe tomatoes, tomato leaves or stems, take your dog to the local vet
