Green tomato, tomato leaf and stem
CautionGlycoalkaloids concentrate in tomato leaves, stems, vines, flowers and unripe green fruit. Ripe red flesh in modest amounts is acceptable; the green parts and the plant are not.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Excessive salivation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Lethargy
- Poor coordination or balance
- Weakness
- Dilated pupils
- Tremors
More about this food
Tomato is a plant-versus-fruit distinction, not a yes-or-no food. The glycoalkaloids tomatine and solanine concentrate in leaves, stems, vines, flowers and unripe green fruit, and levels drop sharply as the fruit ripens. Ripe red tomato flesh in modest amounts is acceptable for most dogs. Green tomatoes and any part of the plant are not.
Glycoalkaloids are cytotoxic and irritating to mucous membranes, and they act on both the GI tract and the nervous system. No grams-per-kilogram threshold has been published for dogs. Systemic signs generally require a substantial ingestion of green fruit or plant material, and they typically begin 2 to 12 hours after eating: drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, refusing food, lethargy, ataxia and weakness, dilated pupils, bradycardia or arrhythmia, and tremors.
The classic American scenario is a backyard vegetable bed in July, a dog that grazes the vines, or a windfall of green tomatoes after a storm. Fried green tomatoes and green tomato relish are the same problem in a skillet. Call your veterinarian now if your dog ate a quantity of green fruit or chewed on vines, and go in immediately for neurologic or cardiac signs such as wobbliness, tremors or an abnormal heart rate. Pet Poison Helpline is available 24/7 at (855) 764-7661. Do not induce vomiting at home; that call belongs to a veterinarian. Cage or fence tomato plants and clear pruned vines and dropped green fruit out of the yard.
Frequently asked questions
- Can my dog have a ripe cherry tomato?
- A small amount of ripe red flesh is fine for most dogs. Pull off the green stem and calyx first, since the glycoalkaloids that fall away as the fruit ripens are still present in the green parts around the top.
- She chewed on tomato vines in the garden.
- Vines and leaves hold far more glycoalkaloid than the fruit does. Call your vet or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 with an estimate of how much, and watch for drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, wobbliness and tremors over the next 2 to 12 hours.
- Are fried green tomatoes an exception because they are cooked?
- No. Cooking does not solve this the way ripening does, and the batter, oil and seasonings add their own problems. Feed ripe red flesh if you want to share tomato, and keep green tomato dishes for the humans at the table.