Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? What Every Dog Owner Should Know
I didn’t plan on writing this story. Honestly, I didn’t even think about tomatoes being dangerous—or safe—for dogs until one random Tuesday when my golden retriever, Toby, decided to help himself to one that rolled off the counter.
I was making a sandwich, minding my own business, and boom—down goes a tomato. Before I even had time to react, Toby had already swallowed it whole. No chewing. Just gone. He even had that “What? I was starving” face.
Now, I’m no vet. I didn’t grow up on a farm. I’ve never even owned a garden. But suddenly, I was Googling like my dog’s life depended on it.
The Moment I Panicked
You know that anxious rabbit hole we all fall into? That was me, frantically typing “Can dogs eat tomatoes?” while Toby looked up at me like he just did the best trick ever.
First site: “Tomatoes are part of the nightshade family.”
Second site: “Nightshade can be toxic to dogs.”
Third: “Ripe tomatoes are fine, but green ones are dangerous.”
By the fifth article, I was spiraling. What even is a nightshade? Why did I never think to Google this before today? And more importantly, what color was that tomato?
Spoiler alert: it was red. Ripe. Not green. But I still called the vet.
What My Vet Told Me
Thank goodness she’s used to frantic dog parents like me. After I explained what happened, she asked if Toby had eaten the leaves or the stem. Thankfully, no. Just the fruit.
Then she told me something I’ll never forget:
“Ripe tomatoes are okay in small amounts. Just not the green ones. And don’t let him eat the leaves or stems.”
Those green parts have tomatine, and while it’s rare, tomatine poisoning in dogs can happen. Especially in little dogs (Toby’s 24 lbs, for reference).
She told me to watch for vomiting, drooling, or weird behavior. If none of that happened in a few hours, he was probably fine.
Guess what? He was fine. I, on the other hand, needed a nap.
So, Seriously: Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
Yeah. Can dogs eat tomatoes? The real, no-BS answer is yes, but only if:
- It’s ripe and red
- There’s no stem or leaves
- You give a small amount
- And you don’t turn it into a daily treat
Honestly, think of it like this: just because something’s technically not toxic doesn’t mean it should be your dog’s lunch. A bite? Cool. A whole tomato? Not ideal.
And please don’t let your dog lick your pasta plate. Mine did once. Garlic, salt, spices = not dog-friendly. That night ended with a 3 a.m. carpet cleaning.
What Happened After That Tomato?
Nothing dramatic. No vomiting. No ER visit. Just a dog who looked smug for 48 hours like, “I survived the nightshade fruit.”
But I’ve since learned:
- Tomatoes can cause diarrhea if your dog eats too many (yep, been there)
- Some dogs are sensitive to the acidity
- Others might be allergic (itchy skin, upset tummy, etc.)
So now, I give Toby one tiny cube of tomato maybe once a month. He still wants more, but he also wants to eat crayons, so…
Safe vs. Nope: What I Do Now
- ✅ Ripe tomatoes (tiny pieces)
- ✅ Washed thoroughly
- ✅ No sauces, salt, oil, or anything fancy
- ✅ Used as a rare treat
- 🚫 Green tomatoes
- 🚫 Tomato plants, stems, leaves
- 🚫 Spaghetti sauce, ketchup, salsa
- 🚫 Letting him lick my pizza plate
Related Reads From Real Life With My Dog:
Other Fruits My Dog Loves (and Actually Digests)
- Blueberries – tiny, easy, no mess
- Watermelon (seedless only) – frozen cubes = summer joy
- Bananas – tiny bits only, otherwise 💩 city
- Apples (no seeds) – crispy, fun, and weirdly satisfying
Want to know more about what’s safe? Check out the AKC’s fruit list.
Final Word (from a Tomato Survivor)
Look, I’m not saying tomatoes are evil. But I am saying, if you drop one, beat your dog to it.
Also, can a dog eat tomatoes safely? Sure. But keep it boring, bland, and minimal. No marinara, no ketchup, and no stems. And if your dog eats one off the vine? Watch them, and call your vet if anything feels off.
As for Toby? He’s moved on. He’s currently trying to eat the corner of a cardboard box.
