Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
Why it’s a sometimes-food
Fully ripe tomato fruit is fine and offers fiber and antioxidants like lycopene. The green parts — stems, leaves and unripe green fruit — contain tomatine and solanine, which are genuinely toxic to dogs in meaningful quantities.
How to serve it safely
Only feed ripe, red fruit: wash, remove the stem and any green shoulders, and chop a few pieces. Never share tomato plants, sauces or unripe tomatoes.
Warning signs to watch for
Eating green parts causes drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, dilated pupils and weakness, usually within hours.
When to call the vet
If your dog eats leaves, stems or green tomatoes, call your vet or a poison hotline for guidance.
Common questions
Can dogs eat green tomatoes?
No. Unripe green fruit carries much more tomatine than ripe red fruit and can genuinely poison a dog.
What about ketchup or pasta sauce?
Avoid both. They typically contain onion and garlic, and often lots of sugar and salt.
More foods for dogs
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.