Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Precisely balanced nutrition with the delicious taste of minced liver & chicken to support 5 essential building blocks for lifelong health
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Over 70% of cats lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
An Orange cat eating from a bowl filled with mixed food
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Angela Tague
|August 18, 2021
It happened again. Your dog snagged a few human-food treats without your help. Whether your pet gobbled the last slice of pizza sitting next to the oven or lapped at a bowl full of salsa on the coffee table, you're probably wondering if tomatoes are safe for your dog to eat.
Let's explore if dogs can have tomatoes, and tomato-based products like pizza sauce, and not get sick. And if so, what's safe for them to try?
The Pet Poison Helpline says tomatoes are "generally pretty safe to feed dogs." However, only certain parts of the plant are advisable for a dog to consume. The red (orange or yellow on some tomato varieties) fleshy parts that we eat and cook with when ripe are OK for your pet to try.
The hesitation comes when your pet eats other parts of the tomato plant, including the leaves, blossoms, vines, stems or green tomatoes. These contain tomatine, a chemical that can make your dog sick when ingested.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says if you see your pet eat the green parts of the tomato plant, watch for these signs of poisoning, and call your veterinarian as soon as possible:
Ripe tomatoes are classified as nontoxic to pets but should be considered a treat, not a meal. So, sharing a freshly picked cherry tomato from the garden or offering a slice of tomato when making dinner is fine for your dog. Just be sure to remove any stems or leaves.
When it comes to the earlier mentioned pizza and salsa, it's best to avoid feeding your pet human foods that have multiple ingredients. For example, there may be diced onions or garlic in the salsa or pizza sauce and foods in the Allium family (onions, leeks, chives) are not safe to feed your pet, per the AKC.
Yes! If you like to garden, consider growing tomatoes in pots that are kept away from where your dog plays outdoors. Some green thumbs place tomato pots on the front patio or doorstep as part of their decor. Or, consider hanging pots of miniature cherry and grape tomatoes high above your pet's play area on a fence or shepherd's hook.
You can also place a small fence around garden areas. This will help deter your pet from sniffing the seedlings and tasting the toxic green parts of tomato plants.
So, are tomatoes bad for dogs? Just like us, dogs enjoy a treat on occasion. Although vets don't generally advise feeding table scraps to pets, a bite of tomato when prepping a salad for dinner isn't going to make your pet ill, but letting your pet graze in the garden unsupervised could. The rule of thumb is to feed your dog the colorful, fleshy part of tomatoes sparingly, as treats, and stay away from green stems and leaves.
Angela Tague is a pet mom and writer living in the Midwest. When she's not making a mess in the kitchen, exploring nature trails with her dog, or attending a yoga workshop, she's writing full-time for multiple lifestyle and technology brands. You can find her on Twitter and LinkedIn @AngelaTague.
Supports lean muscle, for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
Over 70% of dogs lost weight within 10 weeks when fed this nutrition
Delicious roasted chicken paired with tender vegetables in a succulent stew
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Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.