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Pet safety

Is Tomatotoxic to cats & dogs?

Solanum lycopersicum

Mildly toxic to pets

Is tomato safe for cats and dogs?

Not entirely — tomato is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. It rarely causes serious harm, but chewing it triggers real discomfort, so it is best kept out of a pet's reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, the most widely used reference for companion-animal plant safety in the US and the standard most UK vets cite as well. ASPCA lists tomato foliage and unripe fruit as toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to solanine. The ripe fruit is safe.

What happens if a pet eats tomato?

ASPCA lists tomato foliage and unripe fruit as toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to solanine. The ripe fruit is safe. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to tomato, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.

What to do if your pet ate tomato

  1. Remove any plant material from your pet's mouth and move tomato out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of tomato to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

This page is general guidance, not veterinary advice. Pets vary, and a reaction may be to soil, fertiliser, or pesticide rather than the plant. If you are worried, always contact a vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Pet-safe alternatives to tomato

Want the same look without the risk? These plants are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA and have similar care needs:

Tomato and pets — frequently asked questions

Is tomato toxic to cats?

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is mildly toxic to pets to cats according to the ASPCA. ASPCA lists tomato foliage and unripe fruit as toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to solanine. The ripe fruit is safe. Keep it out of reach and contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 if your cat chews it.

Is tomato toxic to dogs?

The ASPCA lists the same toxicity status for dogs as for cats: Tomato is mildly toxic to pets. Dogs often chew more enthusiastically than cats, so a toxic plant like tomato is best removed from the floor and low shelves entirely.

What happens if my pet eats tomato?

ASPCA lists tomato foliage and unripe fruit as toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to solanine. The ripe fruit is safe. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later. If you see drooling, pawing at the mouth, head-shaking, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your pet has had access to tomato, treat it as a suspected ingestion and act on the steps below.

What should I do if my cat or dog ate tomato?

Stay calm. Remove any remaining plant material from your pet's mouth and take the plant away so they cannot eat more. Note roughly how much was eaten and when. Do not make your pet vomit unless a vet or poison-control specialist tells you to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 (a consultation fee may apply) and follow their advice. Bringing a photo or a leaf of tomato to the appointment helps the vet treat it correctly.

What are pet-safe alternatives to tomato?

If you want a similar look without the risk, good non-toxic swaps include cucumber, lettuce, bean, pea. All of these are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA, so they suit a home where pets have access to your plants.

Full tomato care

Pet-safety is one piece of the picture. For light, watering, soil, and troubleshooting, see the complete tomato care guide, or browse the full pet-safe plant library to check another plant before you buy it.