Can dogs eat tomatoes? Which parts are safe and which aren’t
Yes, dogs can eat ripe tomatoes in moderation. How much to give by size, why green tomatoes and tomato plants are risky, and which sauces to skip.
Quick answer
Yes, dogs can eat ripe red tomatoes in moderation: they have about 18 calories per 100 g (3.5 oz) and are mostly water. Serve them rinsed, with the stem and leaves removed, cut into pieces: one to four cherry tomatoes depending on size. Avoid green tomatoes and the plant, which contain tomatine, plus sauces with onion, garlic or salt.
In this article
Yes, dogs can eat tomatoes, as long as they’re ripe, red and free of stems and leaves. A few pieces make a light, safe snack; the real risks are the green parts of the plant and most of the sauces we make with tomatoes.
Below you’ll find how much tomato your dog can have based on size, how to prep it, why marinara and ketchup are off the table, and what to do if your dog has been chewing on the plants in your vegetable garden.
Are tomatoes good for dogs?
Ripe tomatoes aren’t toxic, and in moderation they can be part of your dog’s treat rotation. Every 100 g (3.5 oz) of raw tomato has about 18 calories, roughly 95% water, 1.2 g of fiber and under 3 g of sugar, plus potassium, vitamin C and lycopene, the antioxidant pigment that makes tomatoes red.
In context:
- They’re very low in calories, which makes them a good fit for dogs watching their weight.
- They don’t add anything essential. A dog on a complete and balanced diet already gets everything it needs, and dogs make their own vitamin C.
- They’re a bit acidic. Dogs with sensitive stomachs may get gas or loose stools, especially if they eat a lot at once.
The catch is the plant itself. Stems, leaves and unripe green tomatoes contain glycoalkaloids, mainly tomatine (often lumped together with solanine, its cousin in potatoes). As the fruit ripens, those levels drop to insignificant amounts, which is why a red tomato is fine and a green one isn’t.
How much tomato can a dog eat?
Because tomatoes are so low in calories, the limit is set by your dog’s stomach more than by the 10% treat rule. These amounts are a general guide for healthy adult dogs (a cherry tomato weighs about 0.5–0.7 oz / 15–20 g, and a medium tomato about 4.3 oz / 120 g):
| Dog size | Weight | Amount per serving |
|---|---|---|
| Toy | Under 11 lb (5 kg) | 1 cherry tomato, cut up (15–20 g) |
| Small | 11–22 lb (5–10 kg) | 1–2 cherry tomatoes (20–40 g) |
| Medium | 22–55 lb (10–25 kg) | 2–3 cherry tomatoes or 1/4 medium tomato (40–60 g) |
| Large | 55–90 lb (25–40 kg) | 3–4 cherry tomatoes or 1/2 medium tomato (60–80 g) |
| Giant | Over 90 lb (40 kg) | Up to 1 small tomato (about 3.5 oz / 100 g) |
Two or three times a week is plenty; tomatoes aren’t an everyday snack. The first time, offer half the amount and check your dog’s stool over the next 24 hours.
How to give your dog tomatoes safely
- Pick fully red, ripe tomatoes, with no green patches.
- Rinse them under running water to remove dirt and residue.
- Remove the stem, the green cap and any leaves.
- Cut them up. Whole cherry and grape tomatoes are a choking hazard for small dogs and gulpers, so halve or quarter them.
- Serve them raw or plain-cooked, with no salt, oil, sugar or seasoning.
Tomato sauces and dishes dogs shouldn’t eat
The tomato isn’t the problem; what comes with it is:
- Marinara and jarred pasta sauce: usually salt, sugar, oil and, very often, onion or garlic.
- Homemade sauces and chili: almost always onion and garlic, which are toxic even when cooked. Learn why in onions and garlic for dogs.
- Salsa and pico de gallo: raw onion, garlic, salt and sometimes jalapeños.
- Ketchup: loaded with sugar and salt, and some recipes include onion powder.
- Pizza, lasagna and canned tomato soup: fat, cheese, salt and seasonings; a very fatty meal can trigger pancreatitis.
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil: concentrated, salty and greasy.
Tomato risks and signs your dog ate too much
If your dog ate a few extra pieces of ripe tomato, expect mild stomach upset at most: gas, loose stools or a bout of vomiting that clears up within 24 hours.
Chewing on the plant or eating green tomatoes is a different story. Reported signs include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness and, rarely, tremors, confusion or a slow heart rate. Serious poisoning is uncommon, because a dog would need to eat a fair amount of the plant, and most find it bitter.
Other garden produce for your dog
If you’re after light treats, carrots, raw or cooked, are crunchy and very well tolerated, and there are more options in our guide to vegetables dogs can eat. Since tomatoes are technically a fruit, you may also find our list of fruits dogs can eat useful.
Keep in mind that raw or green potatoes share the solanine problem, and that onions, garlic and leeks should never end up in your dog’s bowl. The full list is in toxic foods for dogs.
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?
Yes, prepared the same way as larger tomatoes: ripe, rinsed, stem removed and cut up. The specific risk with cherry and grape tomatoes is their shape: round, slippery and just the right size to lodge in a small dog’s throat. Cut them into halves or quarters, and don’t toss them for your dog to catch, since that encourages swallowing without chewing.
Are tomato plants poisonous to dogs?
Yes. The leaves, stems and green fruit contain glycoalkaloids that can cause stomach upset and, in large amounts, neurological signs. In practice, most dogs that nibble a leaf get mild tummy trouble at worst. If your dog pulled up and ate a noticeable amount of plant, or is a small breed, call your vet or an animal poison control line and estimate how much was eaten.
Can dogs eat cooked tomatoes or tomato sauce?
Plain cooked or pureed tomatoes you make yourself, with no salt, oil, sugar, garlic or onion, are fine. Canned crushed or diced tomatoes labeled “no salt added” can work too, but read the label, since many include salt, sugar or “spices.” Store-bought pasta sauce, ketchup and salsa are not an option.
Can puppies eat tomatoes?
They can, but it’s not a great first food. Puppies have more sensitive stomachs, and nearly all their calories should come from a complete puppy food. If you want your puppy to try it, offer a lentil-sized piece, without skin or seeds for a very small puppy, and check its stool the next day.
Does the lycopene in tomatoes prevent cancer in dogs?
There’s no research showing that eating tomatoes prevents cancer or any other disease in dogs. Lycopene is an interesting antioxidant in human nutrition, but the amount a dog gets from a treat-sized serving is small, and its effect in dogs hasn’t been proven. Think of tomatoes as a light snack, not a supplement.
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: tomato plant entry in its toxic plants database.
- American Kennel Club (AKC): tomatoes in your dog’s diet.
- USDA FoodData Central: nutrient profile of raw tomatoes.
- Merck Veterinary Manual: poisonous plants containing glycoalkaloids (Solanum species).
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for a veterinary exam. If your dog gets worse, is in pain or shows warning signs, call your vet or an emergency animal hospital.