Can a dog eat tomatoes?
When your dog eats something, you want to know what to do, especially if your dog ate a tomato.
Eating a tomato can cause many different reactions in dogs – some mild and others more severe. If your dog ate one or two tomatoes, they may just have an upset stomach and need some time for their stomach acid levels to go back to normal.
If the tomato was rotten or if they ate a tomato leaf that could be toxic to them, if your dog is showing signs like vomiting, diarrhea, or seizures then you should call your vet immediately.
At any time you’re worried about how much tomato he’s eaten (or if he has an allergic reaction), then take him in to see the vet as soon as possible!
Let’s now look if there are any benefits for dogs eating tomatoes.
Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
Can dogs eat tomatoes? This is a common question in the dog-owning community. Some people say that it’s fine for your dog to have a few bites of tomato, while others say that there are major health risks associated with this. Let’s explore the pros and cons of feeding your canine tomatoes!
What are the side effects if your dog ate a tomato leaf?
If your dog chewed some tomato leaves by accident, he will most likely have diarrhea and vomiting.
But if your dog develops dilated pupils and a slow heart rate, please call your vet straight away.
Such are the symptoms of solanine poisoning. Fortunately, these symptoms are rare and as mentioned earlier, there are no documented cases of either tomatine or solanine poisoning in dogs.
How to feed your dog tomatoes.
Your dog has to eat a basketful of unripe tomatoes before he gets a tummy ache. Still, this is a problem for those who grow tomatoes in their garden, especially if you have a greedy dog or an aggressive chewer.
The preparation of tomatoes is straightforward but if you are looking for a step-by-step process.
The tomato should be:
- Red
- Ripe
- Juicy
Note: Unripe tomatoes contain high amounts of glycoalkaloids, which can pose harm to your dog’s health if ingested in large quantities.
The key is to feed your pooch tomatoes that are only red, ripe, and juicy.
- Wash the tomatoes thoroughly Like with all other produce, wash the tomatoes thoroughly to remove residue pesticides and microorganisms that may harm your dog.
- It doesn’t matter if they are organic or not.
- Cut off the green parts
- Cut out the parts that are not included in the fruit.
These include that elfish green hat that nightshades sport. Start off with a few slices If this is your dog’s first time to nosh on tomatoes, we suggest you start off with just a few slices. If there are no changes in his stool, then you can give him more next time.
Can puppies and senior dogs eat tomatoes?
If you still have a growing pooch, you may want to wait a little longer.
Tomatoes are not generally recommended for puppies because a puppy’s stomach is much more sensitive than an adult dog. There is a chance your fur-baby may not be able to digest tomatoes properly. However, feel free to chop up some tomato slices for a senior dog.
Tomato Health Benefits For Dogs
Tomatoes boost your dog’s immunity.
Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid in ripe tomatoes. This phytochemical has the highest concentrations in the fruit’s skin. However, there is more to lycopene than making fruits red. Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that brings various health benefits including
- sun protection
- reduced risk of cancer
Most importantly, it boosts your dog’s defenses against infectious organisms.
Tomatoes help for better eyesight
Got an aging dog who likes to stroll your backyard at night? Add some tomatoes to his diet to sharpen his vision. A lot of vision problems in dogs, such as cataracts and night blindness, are due to the lack of vitamin A in their diet.
Tomatoes can help sharpen your dog’s eyesight and combat degenerative diseases.
Tomatoes are packed with beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver. Vitamin A decreases eye-related problems and helps delay age-related decline such as macular degeneration.
Tomatoes promote canine heart health
With all of the health benefits for people, it makes sense that tomatoes are also good for dogs. Tomatoes contain lycopene which is a natural antioxidant that helps protect against heart disease in people and pets. Lycopene has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, increase HDL (good) cholesterol while lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, and decrease triglycerides in humans.
This is great news because high blood pressure can lead to stroke or heart attack. When your dog eats tomatoes they will get these same benefits! One tomato contains about 5 micrograms of lycopene which is more than enough to help with canine cardiac health. It’s important not to feed too many tomatoes at one time though because this could irritate their stomach lining.
Tomatoes help manage canine diabetes
Dogs suffering from diabetes often have increased urination and thirst, which can lead to dehydration. The extra water intake coupled with the high-carbohydrate diet of a diabetic dog causes an increase in glucose levels.
Tomatoes are natural sources of flavonoids called carotenoids, which help maintain healthy blood sugar levels by regulating insulin production. It is also rich in vitamin C and potassium – two nutrients that are crucial for maintaining normal electrolyte balance throughout the body’s cells.”
In Summary
Eating a few slices of raw tomatoes every now and then provides your dog with additional vitamin and mineral supplementation that could impact your dog’s looks. Tomatoes are actually a good treat for your dog! They contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant that helps with their vision and also aids in fighting cancer.
They’re perfect to give after you’ve put them through some strenuous exercise or on hot days when they need additional fluids. Tomatoes do not have any side effects like onions or garlic so they can be given freely without worry of upsetting your dog’s stomach.
Do you have any stories to share about your dog eating tomatoes?
Let us know in the comments.