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Pet safety

Is Tomato toxic to dogs?

Solanum lycopersicum

Mildly toxic to dogs

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tomato as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists tomato foliage and unripe fruit as toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to solanine. The ripe fruit is safe.

What to do if your dog ate tomato

  1. Remove any plant material from your dog'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.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your dog has eaten tomato, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is tomato toxic to dogs? — FAQ

Is tomato toxic to dogs?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tomato as mildly toxic to dogs — a chewing dog typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. ASPCA lists tomato foliage and unripe fruit as toxic to cats, dogs and horses due to solanine. The ripe fruit is safe.

What are the symptoms if a dog 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 — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your dog has had access to tomato.

What should I do if my dog ate tomato?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your dog's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is tomato toxic to cats too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Tomato is mildly toxic to cats as well. See the full tomato pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a dog-safe alternative to tomato?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best dogs-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full tomato pet-safety