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Can dogs eat tomatoes? Well, a simple and straightforward answer to this is yes. But, before feeding tomatoes to your dog, there are a few things that you should be aware of.
Tomatoes are in the nightshade family of vegetables, and their part contains harmful substances that are highly toxic, including solanine. Solanine is a substance found in the leaves and stems of tomatoes and is harmful to dogs if eaten in large quantities. Poisoning from overeating tomatoes is slightly rare in dogs, it may happen if your dog enters the garden of unripped tomatoes and it could be very dangerous.
Usually, when the tomato is riped or the green portion of it has been completely removed it will be completely safe for your dog. But remember, you should always ask your vet before sharing any type of human food with your dog.
How Tomatoes Can Be Beneficial For Your Dog?
Tomatoes are very rich in nutrients and can be very beneficial for dogs if consumed in a decent amount of quantity. They will also benefit your dog in improving digestion because it is high in fiber and low in calories. They also contain minerals like potassium and folate which is very beneficial for muscle health and blood pressure.
Tomatoes also contain beta-carotene which has the potential to improve cognition; lycopene helps in strengthening the bones and decreases the risk of heart diseases; Vitamin A, which improves the vision, and Vitamin C, which is great for the skin.
When Tomatoes Can Harm Your Dog?
The green parts of the tomato including vines stems and unripped tomatoes too contain solanine. Usually, it won’t harm your dog because tomatoes contain little amount of solanine. But it could be problematic if the dog has eaten tomatoes in a large amount.
If you have a garden of tomatoes containing lots of unripened tomatoes, you must keep your dog away from it. Because dogs are more likely to eat them and it can be very harmful to their health.
Symptoms Of Tomato Poisoning In Dogs
Here are some of the most common signs of tomato poisoning that you may notice:
- Abdominal Pain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Diarrhea or vomiting, generally after few hours of ingesting solanine.
- Seizures
- An abnormal heart rate
- Drowsiness
When you notice the symptoms of tomato poisoning in your dog, visit your vet as soon as possible.
The Finest Way To Feed Tomatoes To Your Dog
When you get a confirmation from your vet that you can feed tomatoes to your dog, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure that you have picked up the tomatoes that are ripe, red, and completely free from vines, stems, and leaves.
- Serve fresh tomatoes to your dog. Avoid adding any type of additives such as salt because they could be harmful to your dog. Also, you should be aware of the source of the tomatoes so that you can avoid herbicides and pesticides that could lead your dog to sickness.
- You should always feed tomatoes to your dog in moderation. Never feed in a huge amount of quantity. Because if they become used to it, they may jump into your basket of groceries and most probably will eat the green parts of the tomatoes.
It is also important to keep your dog away and safe from the green parts of the tomato plants, so regarding that here are some tips that can be helpful for you:
- Make sure that every tomato that you are feeding to your dog is prepared properly. Ensure that all the green parts are removed. If you are going to add tomatoes to any recipe, don’t forget to slice them. It will make them easier to eat and there will be very little possibility of accidentally leaving any green portion.
- If you have a garden where you grow tomatoes, make sure to keep the garden area fenced off and your dog stays away from that area. This will prevent your dog from eating tomatoes that are not completely ripe yet.
One more important thing: If you are serving any type of tomato-based product such as soup or sauce, it is a must to check the ingredient so that you can avoid it if it is containing anything that can be harmful to your dog. Otherwise, it is recommended to stick to the fresh tomatoes that you prepare by yourself, this will be the safest option.
Final Words On “Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?”
So, can dogs eat tomatoes? Now, the final answer to this is yes but only and only when the tomatoes are red, ripped, and completely free from the green parts of it.
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