Can Cats Eat Tomatoes?

🚫 Not Recommended

✅ Cross-checked against veterinary poison-control guidance · Oct 2026 audit

⚠️ Educational info only. If your pet just ate something and looks unwell, skip the reading and call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline (US): (855) 764-7661.

Ripe tomato flesh in tiny amounts is not toxic, but the green parts are — and most vets say skip tomatoes.

Why it’s a problem

Tomato plants, stems, leaves and unripe green fruit contain solanine, which is genuinely toxic to cats. Ripe red flesh is low risk, but the serving formats humans actually use — sauces, salsas, ketchup — add garlic and onion, making the whole category a poor bet.

How to serve it safely

If sharing at all, one thumbnail of ripe red flesh is the limit. Keep plants, green tomatoes and all tomato sauces away.

Warning signs to watch for

From green parts or sauces: drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and dilated pupils; allium seasoning adds pale gums and dark urine over days.

When to call the vet

Call your vet promptly if a cat chews the plant or eats green tomatoes or tomato sauce.

Common questions

Is tomato sauce just cooked tomato?

No. Sauce almost always contains garlic or onion powder — concentrated allium toxin, plus salt.

More foods for cats

Salmon✅ SafeYes, when fully cooked and unseasoned. Salmon is a nutritious fish most cats enjoy.Tuna⚠️ In ModerationOccasional small amounts only — tuna should be a treat, never a meal.Cow’s Milk🚫 Not RecommendedBetter to skip it. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant and milk gives them stomach upset.Garlic☠️ ToxicNo. Garlic is poisonous to cats — even more potent per gram than onion.Cooked Eggs✅ SafeYes, fully cooked and plain. Eggs are a protein-rich treat cats usually enjoy.Cheese⚠️ In ModerationSmall bites are usually fine, but many cats cannot digest dairy well.

This page is general educational information, not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every pet is different — if your animal ate something concerning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline right away.