Luckily for dogs that enjoy the occasional tomato, solanine is mostly concentrated in the green parts of the tomato plant. The leaves, stems, and young, green tomatoes contain higher amounts of solanine than ripe fruit, which means that ripe tomatoes are generally safe to feed to dogs.
Some believe that tomatine levels are lower in ripe tomatoes. This means it’s safe for dogs to eat small amounts of correctly prepared red tomato. But green tomatoes and other parts of the tomato plant should never be fed to dogs.
You should be asking “Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?”
One answer is, however, it is found mainly in the green parts of the plant, leaves, vines and stem, as well as in green tomatoes. In a ripe tomato the amount of tomatine is lower and, though toxic, your dog would have to eat a ridiculous number of cherry tomatoes to be in any real danger.
Another common query is “Can dogs eat canned tomatoes?”.
Some think that in the case of canned tomatoes, so long as the tomatoes used are sourced from ripe, red, mature tomatoes only, they should be safe for your dog to eat. But it is also a good idea to check the ingredients list first.
Ripe tomatoes are classified as nontoxic to pets but should be considered a treat, not a meal. So, sharing a freshly picked cherry tomato from the garden or offering a slice of tomato when making dinner is fine for your dog. Just be sure to remove any stems or leaves.
Veggies provide the fibre needed by both humans and dogs alike. However, limit the quantity of tomatoes you give him, as they are high in phosphorus, overdose of which can hit their kidneys. Also keep him away from the foods mentioned – raisins, grapes, chocolate, ajino moto (Chinese food), sugar, tea / coffee (caffeine), bones.
What happens if a dog eats a tomato?
Tomatoes can be fatal to dogs They contain an alkaloid called tomatine, which can be fatal to dogs. This substance is metabolized as the fruit ripens, so ripe tomatoes are less likely to cause problems for your dog. Tomatoes also contain atropine, which can cause dilated pupils, tremors, and heart arrhythmias.
I learned Cherry tomatoes contain tomatine and solanine. These are harmful to the dog as the digestive system of dogs is not designed to digest these. As a result, when your dog eats green tomatoes, it can’t digest the food and suffer from problems later.
Can dogs eat tomatoes with solanine?
Solanine is mainly found in the green parts of the tomato plant, such as the stem and leaves. There is some solanine in the ripe tomato but it’s such a low amount that when dogs eat ripe tomatoes in small amounts, this fruit is generally safe.
This begs the inquiry “Is tomato paste safe for dogs to eat?”
Similarly to tomato sauce listed above, the concern is what may have been added to the paste. If it is just pure tomato paste from ripe tomatoes, such as in a designed-for-dogs pizza recipe, it should be safe in moderation.
You see, are tomatoes good for dogs when they’re ripe? Don’t they contain solanine/tomatine too? The answer is “yes,” but ripe, red tomatoes contain only trace amounts of tomatine. This makes ripe tomatoes generally safe for dogs to eat every so often as a treat.
You should be wondering “Why do dogs like tomatoes so much?”
The most frequent answer is: many dogs love them for the same reason people do; they’re tasty! While they are nontoxic, don’t feed too much tomato to your dog because it can cause stomach upset. Tomatoes are notoriously acidic, which could definitely cause problems in a dog with a sensitive stomach.
How to keep dogs away from tomato plants?
It is probably a good idea to keep dogs away from tomato plants, either by fencing off your garden area or by supervising your dog carefully in the garden. Both your dog and your tomatoes will thank you.