Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?

Dogs can eat ripe red tomatoes in small amounts, but the green parts of the plant are toxic. Ripe tomato flesh is considered non-toxic, while green (unripe) tomatoes, leaves, stems and vines contain tomatine and solanine, which can make dogs sick.^1,2,3 Serious poisoning is uncommon and usually takes a lot of plant material, but small dogs and puppies can react to less.^1,3 Skip tomato sauce, ketchup, salsa, soup and pizza, which often contain garlic, onion or salt.^2,1

Are Tomatoes Toxic to Dogs?

Only the green parts. Tomatine and solanine are concentrated in the leaves, stems, vines, flowers and unripe green fruit, and levels drop as the fruit ripens.^3,2 The ASPCA lists the tomato plant as toxic to dogs but notes that ripe fruit is non-toxic.⁵ (Some older lists, including one American Kennel Club fruit list, still say to avoid tomatoes entirely, but AKC's own tomato guide agrees that ripe tomatoes are safe in moderation.)^1,6

Signs of tomato plant poisoning include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy and dilated pupils, and with larger amounts, weakness, tremors, loss of coordination and changes in heart rate or rhythm.^5,3,1 Most dogs recover with veterinary care.^1,3

Tomato Nutrition for Dogs

Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for ripe raw tomatoes and ketchup.^4,7

How Much Tomato Can a Dog Eat?

A healthy adult dog's treats, including fruit, should be no more than about 10 percent of daily calories.^8,9 Using the Merck Veterinary Manual's energy formula for a neutered adult, that works out to roughly 35 calories of treats a day for a 10-pound dog, 59 for a 20-pound dog, 98 for a 40-pound dog, 150 for a 70-pound dog and 196 for a 100-pound dog.¹⁰ Your dog's real needs depend on age, activity and body condition. The American Kennel Club recommends tomatoes only in small amounts as an occasional treat, starting with one bite-size piece.¹ Tomatoes are acidic, so too much can upset the stomach.^1,2 As a rough guide, our suggested occasional amounts are below.

These amounts are our own conservative suggestions, not from a published table. Calories are not the limit with tomatoes; acidity, choking and green parts are.

How to Serve Tomatoes to Your Dog

• Use only fully ripe, red tomatoes, and remove the stem and any green parts.^1,3
• Wash and cut into small pieces. Halve or quarter cherry and grape tomatoes, which are a choking risk whole.^2,3
• Serve plain, with no salt, oil, seasoning, garlic or onion.¹
• Start with one piece and watch for stomach upset.

Tomato Sauce, Ketchup, Salsa and Pizza

Skip them. Tomato sauce, pizza and spaghetti sauce, soup and salsa often contain garlic or onion, which damage dogs' red blood cells, plus salt, sugar and spices. Ketchup is high in sugar and salt, and some contain xylitol.^2,1,7 If your dog ate a dish with garlic or onion, call your vet, since signs can take days to appear. See what can dogs eat for onion and garlic.¹¹ Sun-dried tomatoes are much more concentrated in sugar and calories and are often packed in oil with garlic and herbs, so they aren't a good treat.

My Dog Ate a Tomato Plant or Green Tomato

Call your vet or a pet poison hotline if your dog ate tomato leaves, stems or vines, a large amount of green tomatoes, or if your dog is small or showing signs.³ Don't make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to. Most dogs recover well with early care.^3,1 To prevent it, fence off vegetable gardens, keep potted tomato plants out of reach, and pick up fallen green fruit.^1,2,3 Potato plants, green potatoes and hot pepper plants, which are in the same family, should also be kept away from dogs.³

Can Puppies Eat Tomatoes?

It's best to skip tomatoes for young puppies, or give no more than a single tiny piece of ripe flesh. Puppies and small breeds can react to smaller amounts of the toxic compounds.¹

When to Call the Vet

Call your vet if your dog has a poor appetite, seems tired or uncomfortable, or keeps licking his lips or gulping after eating it. Get care right away for repeated vomiting, severe diarrhea, blood in vomit or stool, weakness or collapse.^2,1 Call right away if your dog ate any part of a tomato plant or shows drooling, weakness, tremors or an unusual heart rate.³

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