Can My Dog Eat Tomatoes
Tomatoes look appetizing, especially when they reach their ripe, juicy state. Humans, or even dogs, may find tomatoes mouth-watering. They add flavor to every meal, such as pasta dishes, stews, or salads. It is also worth mentioning that tomatoes provide a ton of nutrients that nourish the body.
Knowing its benefits, this red dewy fruit could potentially be a new addition to your dog's diet. But before considering tomatoes as your dog's snack or part of their meal, you must first know the answer to the question: 'Can my dog eat tomatoes?
Quick Answer: Yes!
Let's get straight to the point. Yes, your dog can eat tomatoes. However, there are a couple of things you need to know before feeding this fruit to your dog. Being well informed about tomatoes is important for your dog's health and safety.
Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
If you're looking for the complete answer, it's both yes and no. Your dog can eat tomatoes in small amounts. A little tomato in their diet could not hurt. However, dogs should never eat unripe tomatoes (those with green areas on the skin) or the stem and leaves. Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family of plants.
Some other plants included in this family are eggplants, blueberries, potatoes, and bell peppers. This plant species has a toxic compound called solanine that can be poisonous to dogs. That's why tomato stems, leaves, and unripe tomatoes should be avoided. If you have a yard that grows tomatoes, monitor your dog's activity closely to prevent them from ingesting this toxic material.
Are Tomatoes Safe for Dogs to Eat?
It has been established that tomatoes are safe for dogs to eat as an occasional treat. But, it's best to feed only ripe tomatoes to your dog and only let them indulge in this sparingly. You can share tomatoes with your dog as long as they're ripe and the stems and leaves have been removed. Giving your dog a tomato is generally safe when you follow these precautions.
When are Tomatoes Bad for Dogs?
Tomatoes contain solanine, a toxic compound that should be avoided by your dog. Solanine is found in the stem, leaves, and the green parts of unripe tomatoes. Small amounts of solanine are not harmful, but large quantities may poison your dog. Signs of tomato poisoning include diarrhea, drowsiness, and vomiting.
Some dogs also happen to be allergic to tomatoes. A terrible allergic reaction like anaphylaxis can cost your dog's life. Watch out for symptoms such as swelling, difficulty breathing, coughing, and sneezing. When these symptoms are present, bring your dog to your vet immediately.
How Should You Give Tomato to Your Dog?
When giving tomatoes to your dog, remove the stem and leaf and ensure the tomato is ripe (meaning it has reached a deep red color). Serve the tomatoes fresh. It's best if they are free from harmful chemicals that can result from the manufacturing process—always know where your tomatoes were sourced.
In case you want to give your dog canned tomato soup, check the labels first to see if there are harmful ingredients in it. Canned tomato soups often contain additives, so it's recommended that you create your own tomato soup. Do not add any ingredients like salt or other spices as they can harm your dog.
When you make the tomato soup yourself, you are sure that your dog is enjoying a fresh and additive-free meal that's made with love. The same practice applies to preparing tomato-based food like pasta for your dog. You also have to ensure that all tomatoes used in the dish are ripe and don't include stems or leaves.
Are Tomatoes Poisonous for Dogs?
Tomatoes are not entirely poisonous. There should be no problem giving tomatoes as an occasional treat as long as they are served ripe (without stems and leaves). Pet Poison Helpline emphasized that tomatoes contain solanine, which may make your dog sick when consumed in large amounts.
Green unripe tomatoes contain solanine on the skin, so make sure the tomato reaches ripeness before serving it to your dog. If your dog happens to eat a tomato with solanine, this should not cause panic if it is only a small amount. Poisoning occurs when they ingest a large amount of solanine.
Cooked Tomatoes and Tomato Pomace
Cooked tomatoes could be fed to your dog. Just make sure the tomatoes added are ripe and don't have any stems or leaves. There should also be no additives as these are not good for your dog. Additives are ingredients like salt, garlic powder, and other spices. A plainly prepared tomato-based food is what's perfect for your dog.
You may notice that some dog foods contain tomato pomace as an ingredient. Tomato pomace is the tomato's skin, pulp, and seed ground and added to food such as ketchup and tomato soup. A notable reason why tomato pomace exists in some dog food is to provide a healthy amount of soluble fiber to help with digestion. Serving pomace to your dog is fine in small quantities.
When buying dog food, you shouldn't worry if tomato pomace is on the ingredient label as long as it is only a minor component. Tomatoes can be a lovely treat for your dog, but remember to only serve it in small portions and on occasion. Also, remember to give them ripe red tomatoes and remove the stem and leaves. If you follow these precautions, you need not worry about your dog's safety when they indulge in this sweet and juicy fruit.