Can dogs eat tomatoes? And cats?
Ripe red tomato flesh is fine. Green tomatoes, stems and leaves contain solanine.
Ripe flesh in tiny amounts is OK; the plant itself is toxic to cats.
A slice of ripe tomato is harmless to dogs and cats. The tomato plant is the problem: stems, leaves and unripe green fruit contain solanine and tomatine, which cause GI upset and, in quantity, neurological signs. Garden fences matter more than salad rules here, and tomato sauce usually brings onion and garlic along with it.
Signs to watch for
- Green parts: drooling, stomach upset, weakness, slow heart rate
Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control people-foods guidance, Merck Veterinary Manual, Pet Poison Helpline. Verdicts are conservative by design: where evidence is thin we choose the stricter rating.
This is general educational information, not veterinary advice. When in doubt about your own pet, ask your veterinarian.
If your pet just ate something risky, act now: call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 (consultation fees may apply).