We know that your dog is like your little furry child running around your house. You want them to be happy and healthy all the time! You want to give them the best, from their diet to nurturing. Hence, you always choose the things that make them the happiest.
Likewise, you refrain from feeding them unhealthy food. Instead, you want them to eat everything nutritious and yummy—like cherry tomatoes. Rightfully, there may be a ton of questions in your mind before you make up your mind.
Are cherry tomatoes good for dogs? Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes? or can small dogs eat cherry tomatoes? Can dogs eat green cherry tomatoes? Can dogs eat raw cherry tomatoes? Are cherry tomatoes okay for dogs to eat? Are cherry tomatoes bad for dogs? The list goes on.
Worry not because Petyfied is here to answer all these questions!
Cherry tomatoes are a tastier subset of regular tomatoes. They are smaller in size but more flavorful and popular than regular tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes are also one of the most nutritional food items. But the question is, can our dogs eat them?
Is it okay for dogs to eat cherry tomatoes?
There is no one answer to the question: are cherry tomatoes good for dogs to eat or not? That’s because there are many different kinds of cherry tomatoes. Each one of them has a specific amount of substances. Thus, some are good for dogs, while some are not.
The fleshy part of ripe cherry tomatoes is not harmful when consumed in small quantities. That is because the flesh of ripened tomatoes is non-toxic. Thus, your furry babies can snack on them. You don’t have to worry about that.
Moreover, the following are some of the essential nutrients that make cherry tomatoes a healthy choice for your dog:
- Fiber
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
In addition, the juicy red fruit consists of beta-carotene, which is also nourishing for canines.
Benefits of Ripened Tomatoes for Dogs
Tomato is a popular nutritious snack that has several advantages for dogs. Some of the benefits are listed below:
- Preventing vision problems: The red, juicy fruit helps prevent eye problems in canines. For example, a lack of vitamin A causes vision issues like night blindness and cataracts. Tomatoes contain vitamin A and beta-carotene in high concentration. Thus, both contribute to keeping the eyesight of our furry babies perfect. Beta-carotene is also a potent antioxidant. Hence, it averts oxidative damage and maintains a healthy fur coat and skin.
- Strengthening the immune system: Ripened tomatoes are also helpful for a dog’s immune system. They contain lycopene which is a phytochemical responsible for tomatoes’ red color. The more lycopene, the red a tomato is. It is a potent antioxidant that provides a defense against harmful free radicals. Moreover, it keeps cells in the blood, heart, lungs, nerves, and muscles safe. Lycopene is also beneficial for keeping bones strong and the heart healthy.
- Improving cardiovascular health: Cherry tomatoes are rich in potassium. Thus, keeping dogs’ cardiovascular health in good shape. The mineral helps regulate cholesterol and blood pressure levels. In addition, red fruits are good for healthy blood circulation.
However, you must take precautions! Only some parts of tomato are good to have for your dog. At the same time, some parts of a tomato can prove toxic for them.
Are cherry tomatoes bad for dogs?
Yes and no, your dog cannot consume a whole tomato, only the flesh. Indeed, there are some limitations to this juicy snack. That is because these round fruits are from the nightshade family. Hence, they consist of substances called solanine and tomatine. These substances are found in the stem and leave part of the tomato.
Both solanine and tomatine in large amounts are harmful to dogs. Thus, it would be best if you refrained from feeding your dog stems and leaves of a tomato at all costs. Instead, understandably, cut out the leaves and stems of a tomato.
The precaution brings us to another question: can dogs eat green cherry tomatoes? Sadly but surely, the answer to this is no as well. Solanine and tomatine are not just present in the stems and leaves of red fruit. They are also present in high concentrations in unripe, green cherry tomatoes. Thus, avoid serving them to your pet too.
Moreover, be extra cautious if you got a tomato plant in your yard. Your dog should not feed on its foliage. Also, if you have a tomato plant inside your home, ensure it’s in a proper pot and unreachable. Finally, if you are growing tomato plants on your lawn, prevent dogs from entering that area through fencing.
Moreover, there can also be a chance that your furry babies might be allergic to tomatoes. They can catch an allergy to these juicy fruits, whether ripe or unripe. Some symptoms of such allergies are sneezing, coughing, hives, diarrhea, gas, and itchy rashes.
The allergic reaction may cause anaphylaxis. It is a severe, potentially life-threatening condition. Even though the chances of having an anaphylaxis reaction to a tomato are rare-care must be taken. Signs of this fatal allergic reaction can be: swelling, hives, and difficulty breathing.
Also, some dogs have medical conditions such as gastrointestinal issues and acid reflux. Eating cherry tomatoes can worsen their conditions. Hence, consult a credible veterinarian before offering a tomato to your pet.
Tomatine or Solanine Poisoning
Tomatine or solanine poisoning occurs when there’s a high concentration of these toxins in the dog’s body. For example, suppose your lab has eaten green tomatoes. The solanine in these fruits will now produce irritation of the stomach and intestinal lining. As a result, your canine will experience gastrointestinal upset.
Thus, eating large amounts of green cherry tomatoes or any foliage can cause this dog poisoning. Moreover, the poisoning can also occur by consuming high quantities of ripened tomatoes.
Symptoms of tomato poisoning include: vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, confusion, loss of appetite, hypersalivation, dilated pupils, drowsiness, abnormal heart rate, tremors, and seizures.
Tomatine poisoning can be risky if not treated earlier. Hence, take your canine to the vet immediately if it experiences the symptoms.
However, prevention is always better than cure. Therefore, avoid giving tomatoes to your pet daily or as a meal. One or two fleshy parts of a ripe cherry tomato in a week are ideal.
Treatment
Taking your dog to the vet if it experiences any symptoms mentioned earlier is the first thing to do. Your veterinarian will check your dog first. Then they will decide whether it is okay and essential to induce vomiting. If yes, they will proceed. Moreover, only a professional can perform such an examination and treatment. Therefore, avoid treating the pet at home.
Your veterinarian may also suggest other treatments like fluid therapy. This remedy is helpful if your pet is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea. It helps to remove toxic substances from the body and treats dehydration.
However, the occurrence of tomatine or solanine poisoning in dogs is rare. The poisoning symptoms mentioned before may also be signs of another disease. Yet, in any case, going to the vet is necessary.
Can dogs eat cooked tomatoes?
Can dogs eat raw cherry tomatoes? Yes. But you may be thinking: what about the cooked ones? Feeding your furry baby home-cooked fresh tomatoes is fine. However, avoid giving red fruit as a meal. Instead, always feed tomatoes to your pet as snacks.
Moreover, do not offer store-bought cooked tomato products to your canine. Such products include juices, soups, sauces, etc. These items can hurt your dog as they often have sugar, salt, artificial flavors, and other dangerous ingredients.
Tomato sauce, especially pasta sauce, is unhealthy for your dogs. In addition, these sauces often have garlic, onions, and chives that are harmful. Thus, keep them at a distance.
Other than sauce, avoid spicy tomato ketchup as well. Plain ketchup is fine, though. Moreover, some kinds of ketchup also have xylitol. It’s an artificial sweetener that can be toxic for your pet. So keep them out of your dog’s food too.
How to feed tomatoes to your dog?
Dogs do not always jump at vegetables when they see them. But they are essential for their health, so how do you feed a tomato to your dog?
First and foremost, if your veterinarian approves of serving your dog a tomato, then choose the ripe one. Also, make sure to remove its leaves, vines, and stems. You know why!
Moreover, it is essential to rinse the fruit well. That frees the food from all the dirt. Especially if the tomato is non-organic, then rinsing becomes even more necessary. That’s because non-organic tomatoes are laden with pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals can make your dog sick.
Furthermore, avoid feeding tomatoes to your doggies with any additives like salt. Instead, let doggos snack on these juicy fruits when fresh.
Another don’t is to keep canned tomatoes far away from your furry companions. That’s because they contain sodium in high concentration, which can result in dehydration. In addition, you must watch for specific symptoms if the doggo has consumed canned tomatoes. Those symptoms include increased urination, excessive thirst, fever, loss of appetite, and nausea. Reach your vet if the dog shows any of these signs.
However, you can feed your pet sun-dried tomatoes if they are free of harmful ingredients. For example, you can offer them one or two rightly chopped pieces. But if these tomatoes contain dangerous elements like garlic or onion, don’t let your pet eat them.
The good news is you can let your dog eat cherry tomatoes now. Nonetheless, there are a lot of cautionary measures that come with the choice. Thus, following them is better than putting your dog in trouble. However, we are not a replacement for a veterinarian. There are a lot of things that only a professional can answer. Therefore, always consult your vet before making big decisions.