Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? A Quick Guide!
Salidroside and tomatine are most abundant in the leaves and stems, as well as in unripe green tomatoes. They are also present, albeit in much lower quantities, in ripe red tomatoes. Consequently, consuming large amounts of tomato stems, leaves, or green tomatoes can easily lead to toxic symptoms.
Risks of Tomatoes to Dogs
As previously mentioned, ingesting a substantial amount of tomato stems, leaves, or unripe green tomatoes can readily trigger toxic symptoms. The symptoms of salidroside and tomatine poisoning in dogs include drowsiness, depression, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, confusion, weakness, a slower heart rate, and dilated pupils. On the other hand, ripe and clean red tomatoes are generally safe for dogs to consume.
The Safest Way to Feed Tomatoes to Dogs
The safest way to offer tomatoes to your dog is to cut them into small pieces and remove the stems and leaves. It's best to choose fully ripe red tomatoes and thoroughly wash them before feeding to eliminate any pesticides or fertilizers that may be present.
Can Dogs Eat Tomato Sauce?
A small amount of tomato sauce, such as marinara or spaghetti sauce, can be given to dogs. However, some sauces contain additional ingredients like onions, garlic, salt, and pepper, which can easily upset a dog's stomach if consumed in large quantities.
