Is Tomato Plant Toxic to Dogs?
Also known as: Garden Tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum · Solanum lycopersicum
What makes it toxic
Solanine and tomatine glycoalkaloids, concentrated in the foliage, stems and unripe green tomatoes. They irritate the gut and, in quantity, interfere with nerve signaling. Ripe red fruit carries only traces.
Warning signs to watch for
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain within hours; bigger ingestions add drowsiness, weakness, dilated pupils, tremors and a slow heart rate.
What to do if your dog eats it
Note what was actually eaten — fruit versus foliage matters. Call your vet for leaf or stem chewing, and go promptly if the dog is tremoring, very lethargic or vomiting repeatedly.
Common questions
My dog raids the vegetable garden — which part is the problem?
The plants themselves. Dogs that strip leaves and chew stems get the full solanine dose; the ripe fruits they knock off are the least dangerous part of the bed.
Is a green tomato that dropped off safe to eat?
No — unripe green tomatoes carry meaningful tomatine, and a dog that eats several can vomit and act drunk. Call your vet if more than a taste went down.
Can dogs have cooked tomato sauce?
Small amounts of plain cooked ripe tomato are usually fine, but sauces often contain onion and garlic, which are the real danger in table food.
More plants checked 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. Checking what your pet can eat? Visit our sister site SafeOrToxic.