Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?

The answer is yes and no. Dogs can eat tomatoes but only in small amounts. Ripe tomatoes are considered nontoxic to dogs and can be fed in moderation as an occasional snack.

While it’s considered safe for dogs to eat red, ripe tomatoes, the plants themselves are part of the nightshade family of vegetables (which also include potatoes, bell peppers, and blueberries). There are toxins in tomato plants that can harm your dog.

Solanine and its cousin tomatine are toxins found mostly in the green parts of the tomato plant. That means that your dog should never ingest the leaves and stems of tomato plants and should avoid young, green tomatoes. Ingesting an unripe (green) tomato or any of the green parts of the tomato can lead to symptoms of tomatine poisoning.

What is Tomatine Poisoning?

Since tomatoes contain trace amounts of toxins, ingesting a large amount of them can lead to something known as tomatine poisoning, otherwise known as tomato poisoning. That said, the likelihood of dogs consuming a large enough amount of the tomato plant to cause series injury is incredibly slim. But for small breeds and puppies, a smaller amount of tomato can cause poisoning due to their small size, so it’s important to be vigilant.