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.
Solanine, a substance found in the stem and leaves of the tomato and related plants, is harmful to dogs in large quantities. Luckily for dogs that enjoy the occasional tomato, solanine is mostly concentrated in the green parts of the tomato plant.
While I was writing we ran into the question “Can dogs eat tomatoes safely?”.
One common answer is, the Pet Poison Helpline says tomatoes are ” generally pretty safe to feed dogs.” However, only certain parts of the plant are advisable for a dog to consume. The red (orange or yellow on some tomato varieties) fleshy parts that we eat and cook with when ripe are OK for your pet to try.
Tomatoes are in the nightshade family of vegetables, which means the plants contain a few components that are harmful to certain animals, including solanine. Solanine, a substance found in the stem and leaves of the tomato and related plants, is harmful to dogs in large quantities.
Another question we ran across in our research was “Can dogs eat tomatoes?”.
The answer is both yes and no. Ripe tomatoes are considered nontoxic to dogs and can be fed in moderation as an occasional snack . Unripe tomatoes and tomato plants, on the other hand, should be avoided.
Cooked tomatoes are safe for dogs, just like ripe ones, and tomato pomace is a common ingredient in many dog foods. Tomato pomace is made from the ripe fruit and incorporates skin, pulp and seeds. It’s a frequent byproduct of human food production.
What should I do if my dog ate a tomato?
If your dog eats ripe, red, mature tomatoes , just watch her for the next hour to make sure she doesn’t exhibit any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction or tomatine poisoning. If your dog eats immature green tomatoes but only a trace amount (like a thin slice), watch her for the next hour to see if she shows any signs of tomatine poisoning.
The most common answer is; 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.
If dogs eat large quantities of the green parts of the tomato plant, common signs of toxicity to watch for are: 1 Diarrhea 2 Vomiting 3 Lethargy 4 Weakness 5 Confusion and loss of coordination 6 Dilated pupils 7 Loss of appetite 8 Hypersalivation (lots of drooling).
Are green tomatoes bad for dogs with arthritis?
Dogs with arthritis should avoid consuming tomatoes, as foods from the nightshade family have been shown to exacerbate symptoms of arthritis. Overall, it’s best to avoid the green parts of the tomato plant (the leaves and stems) as they are bad for dogs. Avoid green tomatoes and unripe tomatoes — stick to red tomatoes.
Are tomatoes good for You?
Inflammation/Antioxidants: Multiple studies show that tomatoes are a great source of anti-inflammatory compounds (like Lycopene) that help in fighting against inflammation. Vitamins and Minerals: A tomato contains vitamin A, C, and B6 as well as a multitude of important minerals.
What happens if a dog eats a tomatine?
The good news is that these symptoms are rare, and the prognosis for dogs with tomatine poisoning is generally good. Call your vet if your dog exhibits these signs, as they can be a symptom of other serious health problems in addition to tomatine consumption. So, can dogs eat tomatoes ?