Can my dog eat tomatoes?
Can dogs eat tomatoes?In moderation
Only ripe, red tomatoes without any green; never unripe fruit or plant parts.
Yes, dogs can eat ripe, red tomatoes in small amounts. The stalk, leaves, the green plant and unripe green tomatoes contain solanine and tomatine and can cause digestive upsets or even signs of poisoning. Give tomato plain, without sauce or seasoning, and only as an occasional snack.
How many tomatoes can your dog eat?
Enter the weight – the amount updates straight away. You can adjust age, activity and neutering below.
How the calculator works
- Daily requirement: Resting energy requirement 70 × 15 kg^0.75 ≈ 534 kcal × factor 1.6 ≈ 855 kcal.
- Treat allowance: at most 10% of that = 86 kcal for all treats combined.
- Calorie limit: 86 kcal ÷ 18 kcal/100 g = 478 g of tomatoes.
- Guide value for dogs 10–25 kg: 2 × cherry tomato (quartered) at 17 g each = 34 g (cautious guide value set by our editors).
- Recommendation: the smaller of the two, rounded down to half portions → 2 × 17 g = 34 g ≈ 6 kcal.
Sources: 10% rule from the WSAVA guide to treats · kcal value: USDA FoodData Central. Daily requirement as in the dog calorie calculator.
Result · 15 kg · Adult
Up to 2
× cherry tomato (quartered) on a snack day
(≈ 34 g, 6 kcal)
How often: Occasionally a few small pieces as a snack – not every day and not in large amounts.
Treat allowance 86 kcal (10% of 855 kcal) · 1 cherry tomato (quartered) ≈ 17 g
Limited by: guide value
Here the guide value for dogs 10–25 kg sets the limit (cautious guide value set by our editors): at most 2 × cherry tomato (quartered). In terms of calories, up to 478 g would be possible.
A cautious starting value set by our editors. The AKC and PetMD advise only small amounts as an occasional snack, because tomatoes are acidic and can irritate the stomach in larger amounts.
This applies if it's the only snack that day – if your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
The app calculates recipes in grams, kcal and portions to suit your dog's weight, age, activity and allergies.Tomatoes for dogs: amount by weight
| Weight | Maximum per snack day | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| 5 kg | 1 cherry tomato (quartered)≈ 17 g | ≈ 3 |
| 10 kg | 1 cherry tomato (quartered)≈ 17 g | ≈ 3 |
| 20 kg | 2 × cherry tomato (quartered)≈ 34 g | ≈ 6 |
| 30 kg | 3 × cherry tomato (quartered)≈ 51 g | ≈ 9 |
| 40 kg | 3 × cherry tomato (quartered)≈ 51 g | ≈ 9 |
- All snacks together no more than 10% of daily calories (WSAVA recommendation). If your dog gets other treats too, give correspondingly less.
- Guide value per weight class – small up to 10 kg, medium 10–25 kg, large over 25 kg: A cautious starting value set by our editors. The AKC and PetMD advise only small amounts as an occasional snack, because tomatoes are acidic and can irritate the stomach in larger amounts.
Emergency note
Eaten green tomatoes or parts of the plant?
A piece of ripe tomato is no problem. Green tomatoes, leaves or stalks are a different matter: a small amount often causes no serious problems, but larger amounts can lead to tomatine poisoning. This is rare in dogs and usually not fatal; most dogs recover completely.
Possible symptoms
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Heavy drooling
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle weakness or an unsteady gait
- Trembling or seizures
- Dilated pupils
- Abdominal pain
- Irregular heartbeat or a slow heart rate
- Lethargy
When to see a vet?
Call your vet if your dog has eaten a larger amount of green tomatoes or parts of the tomato plant, if it is small or a puppy, or as soon as it shows any of these signs. Note down what it ate and how much.
In an emergency: call your vet or an animal hospital
Outside opening hours, an emergency vet service or an animal hospital can help. Note down the amount, the time and the packaging, and don't try to make your dog vomit yourself. Poison information centres mainly advise on poisoning in people and only help with animals when they have capacity – the first point of contact for your dog is your vet.
What's in it
- Low in calories: around 18 kcal per 100 g, with just over 94% water.
- Provides fibre, potassium, vitamins C and K, and folate.
- Contains antioxidants such as lycopene and beta-carotene.
What to watch out for
- Stalks, leaves and the whole green plant contain solanine and tomatine – never feed them.
- Unripe green tomatoes contain more tomatine; the level only drops significantly as they ripen.
- Tomatoes are acidic: too many can cause flatulence, diarrhoea or stomach irritation, especially in dogs with a sensitive stomach.
- Small dogs and puppies are more at risk, because with their low body weight even smaller amounts of the toxic plant parts have an effect.
- Ketchup, tomato sauce and tomato soup often contain onion, garlic, salt, sugar or even xylitol.
- Whole cherry tomatoes can make small dogs gag.
- Dogs with chronic digestive problems or kidney disease may react more sensitively to the acid.
- Allergic reactions are rare, but possible.
How to prepare tomatoes
How to do it
- Use only fully ripe tomatoes that are red all the way through
- Remove the stalk base, the calyx and everything green
- Wash thoroughly and cut into small pieces; quarter cherry tomatoes
- The first time, give a small piece and watch how your dog reacts
- Put tomato plants in the garden and on the balcony out of your dog's reach
Better not
- Green or half-ripe tomatoes
- Leaves, stalks or other plant parts, not even to play with
- Ketchup, tomato sauce, pizza or tomato soup
- Seasoned tomatoes from a salad or the frying pan
How often?
Occasionally a few small pieces as a snack – not every day and not in large amounts.
Frequently asked questions about tomatoes
Can my dog eat green tomatoes?
No. Unripe green tomatoes contain much more tomatine than ripe ones. A small piece usually does no serious harm, but larger amounts can cause vomiting, weakness or trembling. If that happens, get in touch with your vet.
Can my dog eat the green part of a tomato?
No. The stalk base, calyx, leaves and stems contain the most tomatine and solanine. Cut away everything green generously before your dog gets a piece.
Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?
Yes, if they are ripe and given plain. Quarter them first: whole cherry tomatoes can make small dogs in particular gag.
Can my dog eat raw tomatoes?
Yes, if they are fully ripe and red – then raw tomatoes are fine in small amounts too. Always avoid unripe or green tomatoes, though.
Can dogs eat ketchup or tomato sauce?
No. Ketchup, tomato sauce and tomato soup often contain onion, garlic, salt, sugar or herbs that are harmful to dogs. Some ketchups even contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Can puppies eat tomatoes?
Ripe tomato isn't toxic – for puppies too, the rule is: only a little, ripe and without any green. With unripe tomatoes and plant parts, puppies and small dogs are particularly at risk, because with their low body weight even smaller amounts can cause symptoms.
Can my dog eat tomatoes every day?
Better not. Tomatoes are acidic and can irritate the stomach in larger amounts. A few small pieces now and then are fine for healthy dogs.
Why is a ripe tomato safe when the plant isn't?
Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family. Solanine and tomatine are found mainly in the green parts of the plant, and as the fruit ripens, its tomatine content drops significantly. That's why the ripe fruit is considered non-toxic.
From what amount does tomato become dangerous for my dog?
There's no fixed limit. According to the AKC, it is very unlikely that a dog will eat enough of the plant to become seriously ill – but for small dogs and puppies, smaller amounts are enough. So don't give any green parts at all.
My dog has diarrhoea after eating tomatoes – what now?
Tomatoes can irritate the stomach because of their acidity. Leave them out for now. If the diarrhoea persists, vomiting starts or your dog has eaten green parts, call your vet.
Are tomatoes in dog food a problem?
No. Ripe tomatoes aren't toxic, and according to the AKC they are even often used as an ingredient in pet food because of their fibre and nutrients.
Similar foods
- In moderationVegetablesBell pepperRipe bell peppers without seeds or stalk, cut small; never hot varieties.See the answer
- YesVegetablesCucumberRaw in thin slices, unseasoned; not bitter-tasting cucumbers or pickled gherkins.See the answer
- YesVegetablesCourgetteRaw or cooked, without oil or seasoning; never feed courgettes that taste bitter.See the answer
- In moderationVegetablesKohlrabiPeeled, unseasoned, ideally cooked or finely grated.See the answer
Sources
- Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? – American Kennel Club (AKC)
- Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Benefits, Risks, and Feeding Tips – PetMD (vet-reviewed)
- Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Tomato Plant – ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Tomatoes, red, ripe, raw, year round average (SR Legacy, FDC 170457) – USDA FoodData Central (kcal value)
- Feeding treats to your dog – WSAVA Global Nutrition Committee (10% rule in the calculator)
Reviewed on · DoggoMeal editorial team
This page is no substitute for veterinary advice. Dogs with pre-existing conditions – for example of the kidneys, liver or pancreas, or with diabetes – and dogs with allergies often need their own rules. If your dog has symptoms or you're unsure, ask your vet.
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