Is it okay for your dog to have a tasty tomato? Many say no, but we’ll explain why that’s not entirely true and tomatoes don’t necessarily have to be toxic for your dog.
Can Your Dog Eat Tomatoes?
Many fruits and vegetables are a tasty and healthy addition to a dog’s bowl. Carrots, apples, and pumpkins are enjoyed by many four-legged friends and are often found in dog food. However, when it comes to tomatoes, many people immediately become cautious. But are tomatoes really toxic for dogs? In principle, not really. Under certain conditions, there is nothing wrong with your dog eating a ripe tomato without green spots, stem, or leaves.
Myth: Raw Tomatoes are Toxic for Dogs
The reason why you should not give your dog raw tomatoes is the presence of solanine in the vegetable. However, this is mainly found in unripe tomatoes, green parts like the stem, or the leaves. Just like us humans, your dog should not eat unripe, green tomatoes as they can be toxic.
If your dog grabs a raw tomato from the table, you don’t need to panic immediately. It is possible that your dog may not tolerate the vegetable well and may experience stomachaches or diarrhea, but it is not life-threatening. Tomatoes are not toxic to dogs, and this misconception can be understood more as a feeding myth.
If you are unsure, it’s better not to take any risks and feed your dog another healthy piece of fruit or vegetable.
What Happens If My Dog Eats Unripe Tomatoes?
Your canine companion is a true glutton and devours everything that grows on bushes or lies on the ground? If your dog helps itself to the unripe tomato plants in your garden, it can upset its stomach. Depending on how many unripe tomatoes your dog has eaten and its size, it’s better to go to a veterinary clinic. There, your dog can be induced to vomit, ensuring the unhealthy tomatoes are expelled in time.
Signs of excessive consumption of green tomatoes include:
My Dog Ate Tomatoes – What Now?
Observe your dog first and try to figure out how many tomatoes he has eaten and whether they were still unripe. With ripe tomatoes, you usually don’t need to worry. If your dog is more on the Chihuahua side, excessive consumption of tomatoes can upset his stomach. Just keep a closer eye on your furry friend. If you notice any of the above symptoms or are unsure, contact a veterinarian for potential solanine poisoning.
