Can dogs eat tomatoes? Ripe red tomatoes are safe for most dogs in small amounts. The green parts are a different story: leaves, stems, vines and unripe green tomatoes contain compounds that can upset a dog’s stomach and, in large amounts, cause more serious signs. Most tomato sauces and soups are off the menu too. Here’s where the line sits.
Ripe and plain: yes, a little. Green or cooked into a sauce: no. Share a few pieces of fully ripe, washed tomato with the stem removed. Keep dogs away from tomato plants and unripe fruit, and skip ketchup, sauces and soups, which often contain onion, garlic, salt or sugar.
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Are Tomatoes Bad for Dogs?
It depends on the part and the ripeness. Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family, and the green parts of the plant contain glycoalkaloids called tomatine and solanine. As a tomato ripens, the levels in the fruit drop sharply. The ASPCA lists the tomato plant as toxic to dogs but notes that the ripe fruit is non-toxic.
The American Kennel Club adds that a dog would usually need to eat a large amount of the green plant to become seriously ill. So a stolen leaf is rarely an emergency, but a dog that grazes on the vines is a real concern.
| Part or Form | Safe for Dogs? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe red tomato flesh | Yes, small amounts | Low in tomatine; low in calories |
| Ripe cherry or grape tomatoes | Yes, cut up | Whole ones can be a choking risk for small dogs |
| Yellow or orange ripe tomatoes | Yes, small amounts | Same as red, once fully ripe |
| Green, unripe tomatoes | No | Higher in tomatine and solanine |
| Leaves, stems and vines | No | Highest levels; the main poisoning risk |
| Plain cooked tomato | Yes, a little | Fine if nothing else is added |
Are Tomatoes Good for Dogs?
Ripe tomatoes are mostly water and very low in calories. Per 100 grams, USDA FoodData Central lists about 18 calories, 2.6 grams of sugar, 1.2 grams of fiber, vitamin C and potassium. They also contain lycopene, the pigment that makes them red.
That makes tomato a reasonable low-calorie snack, but not a superfood for dogs. A complete dog food already covers their needs, so think of tomato as an occasional treat, not a health boost.
How Much Tomato Can a Dog Eat?
Calories aren’t the limit here; the acidity is. Too much tomato can upset the stomach, so keep it to a few pieces. We used cherry tomatoes as the measure (about 17 grams each, roughly 3 calories), cut into halves or quarters.
| Dog’s Weight | Ripe Cherry Tomatoes | Or Medium Tomato Slices | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 1, quartered | 1 thin slice | ~3 kcal |
| 25 lb (11 kg) | 1-2, halved | 1-2 slices | ~3-6 kcal |
| 50 lb (23 kg) | 2-3, halved | 2-3 slices | ~6-9 kcal |
| 75 lb (34 kg) | 3-4 | 3-4 slices | ~9-12 kcal |
| 100 lb (45 kg) | 4-5 | 4-5 slices | ~12-15 kcal |
Our estimates for a healthy adult dog, a few times a week. A slice means about one-eighth of a medium tomato. Start with a single piece the first time.
How to Serve Tomatoes Safely
- Choose fully ripe fruit: evenly colored and slightly soft, with no green patches.
- Wash it and pull off the stem and any green cap.
- Cut it up: quarter cherry tomatoes for small dogs; dice larger tomatoes.
- Serve plain, raw or lightly cooked, with no salt, oil, garlic, onion or herbs.
A few diced pieces mixed with cucumber make a cool summer snack; see our guide to cucumbers for dogs.
Tomato Sauce, Ketchup and Other Tomato Foods
Most tomato products are made for people, and that’s where the problems hide:
| Food | Verdict | Main Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Pasta and pizza sauce | Avoid | Garlic, onion, salt, oil, herbs |
| Ketchup | Avoid | About 21 g sugar per 100 g, plus salt; some contain onion powder |
| Tomato soup | Avoid | Onion, garlic, salt, cream |
| Salsa | Avoid | Onion, garlic, chili, lime |
| Sun-dried tomatoes | Avoid | Salt and oil, concentrated acidity |
| Plain canned tomatoes, no salt added | A spoonful at most | Check the label for salt and seasonings |
Ketchup value from USDA FoodData Central. Onion and garlic in any form, including powders, can damage a dog’s red blood cells, according to the ASPCA.
A lick of plain sauce off a plate is unlikely to cause harm. A bowl of leftover spaghetti sauce or a pizza crust soaked in it is worth a call to your vet, mostly because of the onion and garlic.
Tomato Plants in the Garden: A Safety Checklist
Growing tomatoes with a curious dog at home is very doable with a few habits:
- Fence or raise the bed so your dog can’t chew vines or snack on green fruit.
- Pick up fallen and split fruit, especially green ones knocked off by wind.
- Put prunings straight in a lidded bin rather than leaving them on the lawn.
- Store fertilizer out of reach. Organic tomato fertilizers made with bone meal, blood meal or fish meal smell tempting to dogs and can cause vomiting, or a stomach blockage if a lot is eaten.
- Check sprays and slug pellets. Garden chemicals are often a bigger danger than the plant itself.
Puppies and Dogs With Health Conditions
Can puppies eat tomatoes?
A small piece of ripe tomato is fine for most puppies, but they’re more likely to chew on garden plants, so supervision matters more than the snack itself.
Sensitive stomachs and acid reflux
Tomato’s acidity can bother some dogs. If your dog has a delicate stomach, skip it or offer only a sliver. Our dog upset stomach guide has gentler options.
Kidney disease
Tomatoes contain potassium, and dogs with kidney disease may be on a diet that controls minerals. Ask your vet before adding any treat.
Pancreatitis
Plain tomato is very low in fat, but sauces, pizza and cheesy dishes are not. Keep those away completely.
Do dogs get sick from tomato plants? It's uncommon and usually mild, like drooling, vomiting or diarrhea. Large amounts of leaves or green fruit are the real concern.
What about a lick of pasta sauce? A lick is rarely a problem. A bowl of sauce with onion or garlic is worth a call.
Dogs with kidney disease? Ask first, because tomatoes add potassium.
— Dr. Sarah Miller, DVM
Tomatoes for Dogs: Quick Serving Guide
✓ Do
- Share only fully ripe tomatoes
- Remove the stem and green cap
- Cut cherry tomatoes for small dogs
- Fence off tomato plants in the garden
✕ Don’t
- Let dogs chew leaves, stems or vines
- Give green, unripe tomatoes
- Share sauce, ketchup, soup or salsa
- Leave fertilizer where dogs can reach it
Every dog is different. Dogs with kidney disease, pancreatitis or a sensitive stomach should get their vet’s okay first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can dogs have tomatoes with seeds?
Yes. The seeds in a ripe tomato are fine for dogs. Just remove the stem and green cap.
Can dogs eat cooked tomatoes?
Plain cooked tomato is fine in small amounts. The problem is what usually gets cooked with it, like onion, garlic, salt and oil.
Can dogs eat tomato sauce?
It’s best avoided. Most sauces contain garlic or onion, which are toxic to dogs. A lick is unlikely to hurt, but don’t share plates of pasta or pizza.
Are tomatoes good for dogs?
They can be a healthy low-calorie snack in small amounts, with vitamin C, potassium and lycopene. They don’t add anything a complete diet lacks, so they’re a treat, not a supplement.
Can dogs eat tomatoes and cucumbers?
Yes. A few pieces of ripe tomato with plain cucumber make a refreshing snack, as long as there’s no dressing, onion or salt.
How many tomatoes can make a dog sick?
Ripe fruit rarely causes more than an upset stomach if a dog overeats. The bigger risk is the green plant and unripe fruit, where a large amount can cause poisoning signs. If you’re unsure, call your vet.
Wondering about other foods? Our A-Z guide to what dogs can eat sorts them into safe, moderation and avoid.
The Bottom Line
So, can dogs eat tomatoes? Ripe, plain tomato in small pieces is a safe, low-calorie treat for most dogs. The risks come from the green parts of the plant, unripe fruit, and tomato products made with onion, garlic, salt or sugar. Fence off your garden, keep fertilizer stored safely and call your vet if your dog eats a lot of the plant. For more food safety guides, browse our Can Dogs Eat? section. This article is general information, not veterinary advice; see our Veterinary Disclaimer.
References & Sources
Written by CPD Nutrition Desk using the sources below. We are not affiliated with these organizations, and this guide is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian.
- ASPCA — Tomato plant
- American Kennel Club (AKC) — Can dogs eat tomatoes
- USDA — USDA FoodData Central
- ASPCA — People foods avoid feeding your pets
- ASPCA — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center