Can dogs eat tomatoes? – Dr. Dobias Natural Healing

Are tomatoes poisonous to dogs: A dog nutrition misunderstanding

There are many myths surrounding what should or should not be included in dog food, hence the search for answers ‘Can dogs eat tomatoes?’ is not as easy as you might expect.

In the field of veterinary medicine, many recommendations appear to have been passed down through generations of practitioners and accepted without question. One such belief is the potential toxicity of tomatoes to dogs.

I’ve done a lot of digging on this topic, and there doesn’t seem to be any proof that tomatoes are poisonous to dogs.

But are tomatoes a good addition to your dog’s diet? In this article, I’ll share with you everything I’ve found about feeding tomatoes to your dog, their health benefits and potential risks.

Are tomatoes good for dogs?

My curiosity was piqued by an amazing encounter with Bobi, the oldest dog in the world, who, amazingly, eats tomato sauce almost every day of his long and healthy life!

This goes against decades of advice given by veterinarians, myself included. Instead, I wondered, have we overestimated the dangers of tomatoes? Are ripe and cooked tomatoes safe for our canine friends?

Historically, our preservation of tomatoes comes from solanine, a glycoalkaloid found primarily in the green parts of the tomato plant, including unripe tomatoes, leaves, and stems. Solanine, in large amounts, is actually toxic to dogs. However, the concentration decreases significantly as the tomato ripens and is negligible in red, mature fruits.

This led me to wonder – perhaps the danger is not in tomatoes per se, but rather in their unripe fruits, stems, and leaves. Bobi is one of the few dogs that is good with tomatoes. Leonel, Bobi’s father, gave tomatoes to his other dogs, some of whom lived for over twenty years!

After all these observations and the lack of empirical evidence against feeding ripe, particularly cooked tomatoes to dogs, I decided not to avoid them when feeding my dog ​​Pax.

Can dogs eat tomatoes?

Yes, they can, but the choice of feeding your dog tomatoes should be based on individual judgment and understanding. Given current knowledge, I cannot recommend tomatoes for other people’s dogs.

However, it may be time to re-evaluate and update our advice on tomatoes for dogs. I take this as a reminder that we, veterinarians, must constantly review our recommendations to ensure that we are providing the most accurate and helpful advice to dog parents, no matter how strong some opinions may be. .

I invite you to read our comprehensive guide to safe fruits for dogs to find out what healthy foods you can add to your dog’s diet.

Nutritional benefits of tomatoes for dogs

Tomatoes are nutritious fruits high in vitamins C and A, important for immune function, eye health, and skin and hair integrity. They also provide plenty of potassium, which supports heart health and maintains blood pressure levels.

Moreover, tomatoes are known for their high lycopene content, a powerful antioxidant associated with a lower risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. Lycopene is also known for its potential skin protection properties against UV damage.

In addition, the folic acid in tomatoes makes them a beneficial dietary choice for pregnant individuals, as it is important for preventing neural tube defects in babies. Their vitamin C content aids in the absorption of iron, which may help prevent anemia.

Simply put, tomatoes are a versatile and delicious ingredient and a nutritional powerhouse that offers a wide range of health benefits for dogs.

Interesting tomato facts that most people don’t know

The tomato has a fascinating history and cultural significance. Here are some curiosities about tomatoes:

1. Origin – The tomato is native to western South America and Central America. It was first used as a food by the Aztecs and other Native Americans in southern Mexico.

2. Introduction to Europe – Spanish explorers brought tomatoes to Europe in the 16th century. Originally, they were grown as ornamental plants and believed to be poisonous due to their resemblance to the deadly nightshade plant.

3. The Poisonous Fable – Many Europeans feared tomatoes for a long time because they were thought to be poisonous. This is because tomatoes are part of the nightshade family, which includes several poisonous species. Tomatoes are actually poisonous if you eat the leaves and stems, but the fruit is perfectly safe for consumption.

4. The Pizza Connection – Tomatoes gained widespread acceptance in Europe in the late 18th century. In Italy, poor people began using tomatoes in tarts and pies, which eventually led to the invention of pizza.

5. Botanical Confusion – Is tomato a fruit or a vegetable? Botanically, tomatoes are a fruit because they develop from a flower and contain seeds. However, culinary contexts often treat them as vegetables because of their delicious flavor.

6. Different – There are about 10,000 varieties of tomatoes in the world, varying in size, shape, and color. From small cherry tomatoes to large beefsteak tomatoes and from round to pear-shaped. In addition, they can be red, yellow, orange, green, purple, or even black.

7. The Tomato Festival – In Spain, the town of Buñol hosts an annual festival called La Tomatina. Thousands of participants throw ripe tomatoes at each other in a massive tomato fight. This unique event has been held since 1945 and is a significant tourist attraction.

8. The Great Tomato Debate – In the USA, a case reached the Supreme Court in 1893 to decide whether tomatoes were fruits or vegetables. The court ruled that for trade purposes, tomatoes should be classified as a vegetable because they are usually served with dinner and not dessert. However, the decision is about prices, as vegetables are subject to import duties, while fruits are not.

Can dogs eat tomatoes – FAQ

• Can dogs eat raw tomatoes?

Yes, but only ripe, red tomatoes that have been thoroughly washed. If you want to feed your dog tomatoes, avoid green or raw tomatoes because they are high in solanine, a naturally occurring chemical that is toxic to dogs.

• How much tomato is safe for dogs?

Tomatoes should be fed in moderation, as a treat. You can start by giving your dog a cut or two to see how they react.

• Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?

Yes, just like regular tomatoes, make sure they are ripe first and eat in moderation.


• Are tomatoes poisonous for dogs?

No, ripe tomatoes are safe for dogs as an occasional treat. Be sure to remove the stems and leaves and avoid green tomatoes because they contain solanine and tomatine which are toxic to dogs.


• Can dogs have tomato juice?

Yes, if the juice is homemade and made from ripe tomatoes. Avoid feeding your dog store bought tomato juice as it may contain preservatives, additives and seasonings that are bad for dogs.