Dogs · Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Ripe vs Green, Sauce and How to Serve
Yes, dogs can eat ripe red tomatoes in small amounts. Ripe tomato flesh is non-toxic and contains fibre, vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants like lycopene. But green (unripe) tomatoes, stems, leaves and the tomato plant contain tomatine, which can make dogs ill. Wash and dice ripe tomato, remove all green parts, keep it under 10% of daily calories, and never give tomato sauce, soup, salsa or ketchup, which often contain onion, garlic, salt or xylitol.
| Safe for dogs? | Ripe red flesh, yes, in small amounts |
|---|---|
| Not safe | Green tomatoes, stems, leaves, the tomato plant |
| Good for | Fibre, vitamins C and K, potassium, lycopene |
| How much | A few small bite-sized pieces as an occasional treat; all treats under 10% of daily calories |
| Avoid | Tomato sauce, soup, salsa, ketchup, pizza (onion, garlic, salt, sugar, sometimes xylitol) |
Are tomatoes good for dogs?
Ripe tomatoes are a low-calorie treat with fibre, vitamins C and K, potassium, folate and antioxidants including lycopene and beta-carotene. They aren't a necessary part of a dog's diet, but a little ripe tomato is fine for most healthy dogs.
Tomatoes are naturally acidic, so too much can upset your dog's stomach or cause diarrhoea or gas. Dogs with acid reflux, chronic gastroenteritis or kidney disease may be more sensitive.
Green tomatoes and the tomato plant: why they're risky
The green parts of the tomato plant contain tomatine (a relative of solanine). It's concentrated in the stems, leaves and unripe green tomatoes, and levels drop sharply as the fruit ripens.
Tomatine poisoning is rare and usually not fatal, and most dogs recover fully, but signs can include:
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Drooling, loss of appetite and lethargy
- Muscle weakness or loss of coordination
- Dilated pupils, tremors or seizures
- Abdominal pain or an irregular heartbeat
Puppies and small breeds can be affected by smaller amounts, so fence off vegetable gardens and keep indoor tomato plants out of reach.
How much tomato can a dog eat?
Keep it to a few small, bite-sized pieces as an occasional treat, and follow the 10% rule: all treats together should be no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories, with the rest from a complete, balanced dog food. Start with one piece and watch how your dog reacts before offering more.
How to give your dog tomatoes
- Choose fully ripe, red tomatoes.
- Remove every green part: stems, leaves and the green top.
- Wash them to remove dirt and pesticide residue.
- Dice into small pieces (about ½ inch); whole cherry tomatoes can be a choking risk for small dogs.
- Serve plain: no salt, oil, onion, garlic or seasoning.
- Ideas: a few pieces on their own, mixed into kibble, or blended and frozen in a puzzle toy.
Tomato foods dogs shouldn't eat
- Tomato sauce, pasta sauce and pizza. Usually contain garlic and onion, which are toxic to dogs, plus salt and herbs.
- Tomato soup and salsa. Onion, garlic and spices.
- Ketchup. Sugar and salt, and some brands contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
- Green or unripe tomatoes and any part of the plant.
Frequently asked questions
Are tomatoes toxic to dogs?
Ripe red tomato flesh is not toxic. Green tomatoes, stems and leaves contain tomatine, which can make dogs sick in larger amounts.
Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?
Yes, if they're ripe, plain and cut into small pieces. Whole cherry tomatoes can be a choking hazard, especially for small dogs.
Can dogs eat tomato sauce or ketchup?
No. Tomato sauces often contain onion, garlic, salt and herbs, and ketchup can contain sugar, salt and sometimes xylitol.
My dog ate a tomato plant. What should I do?
A small nibble may not cause serious harm, but larger amounts can cause vomiting, weakness or tremors. Call your vet for advice, especially for puppies and small dogs.
Can puppies eat tomatoes?
Only tiny amounts of ripe tomato, if any. Puppies are smaller and more vulnerable to tomatine, so keep them well away from green tomatoes and plants.
Can dogs eat cooked tomatoes?
Plain cooked ripe tomato with nothing added is fine in small amounts. Most cooked tomato dishes contain onion, garlic or salt, so don't share those.
Sources
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different; ask your vet before changing your dog's diet, especially if your dog has diabetes, is overweight, or has a sensitive stomach.