Tomato — (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman
Photo by (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas GoldmaniNaturalistCC BY-SA
dog safety reference

Is Tomato safe for dogs?

Solanum lycopersicum

The tomato plant is a popular garden vegetable that contains solanine, a glycoalkaloid found in its stems and leaves. While the fruit is generally consumed by humans, the green parts of the plant can cause adverse reactions if ingested by pets.

Lycopersicon esculentumSolanum lycopersicumTomato
Light
Full sun
Habit
Vining or bushy
Care
Moderate

Safety status

Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

What this means for your dog

Tomato plants are toxic to dogs because the green leaves, stems, vines, and unripe fruit contain solanine and tomatine. Pet Poison Helpline notes that solanine toxicity is uncommon in dogs and usually requires a sizeable ingestion of green plant material — ripe red tomatoes are safe — so a stolen cherry tomato is rarely cause for panic, but a chewed-up vine is.

What to watch for

Most dogs show mild GI signs: vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and decreased appetite. Larger ingestions can cause weakness, tremors, loss of coordination, and changes in heart rate. Most cases stay in the mild range; persistent or escalating signs are the worry.

Time window

The cited sources do not pin down exact onset; mild GI signs typically appear within a few hours of ingestion, with most cases resolving within 24 hours. Larger exposures with neurological signs may take longer.

When to call the vet

Call your vet if vomiting or diarrhea continues for more than a few hours, if your dog seems weak or unsteady on its feet, or if you see any tremors or fast/slow heart rate. For a small dog that ate a lot of greens or stems, call now rather than waiting for symptoms. Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661; ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline (no first-aid guidance).

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, drowsiness, and in severe cases, changes in heart rate or coordination.

Escalation note

The foliage and stems contain solanine which is toxic to dogs; consult a veterinarian immediately if ingestion occurs.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

Cats & dogs pagecats pageMy dog ate Tomato

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