Can dogs eat tomato leaves or the stem?

No, these are the parts to actually avoid. The green parts of the tomato plant — stems, leaves and unripe fruit — carry far more solanine than a ripe tomato does, and eating a genuinely large amount can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or an unsteady walk. Keep dogs away from tomato plants in the garden.

Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?

Yes, once ripe, in the same small amounts as any other tomato. Cut them in half for smaller dogs, since a whole cherry tomato is roughly bite-sized and can be a choking risk if swallowed whole rather than chewed properly first.

Can dogs eat tinned tomatoes or pasta sauce?

It is better to avoid both. Tinned tomatoes and pasta sauces commonly contain added salt, sugar, garlic or onion, all of which are worth keeping away from dogs, so stick to plain fresh tomato flesh rather than anything that has been tinned or turned into a sauce.

My dog ate a whole unripe tomato — what should I do?

Ring your vet and mention what happened and roughly how much was eaten. A large amount of unripe tomato or the plant itself carries more solanine than a ripe one, and your vet can advise whether to bring your dog in based on their size and what was actually eaten.

Can dogs eat tomatoes?

Yes, ripe tomato flesh is fine for dogs in small amounts. The fruit itself is not toxic once it has ripened, and a piece dropped from the chopping board is not something to panic about. The part to actually avoid is the green: unripe tomatoes, the stem and the leafy vine all contain a compound called solanine, which is where the real risk sits.

Why ripe flesh is fine but green isn't

A tomato is part of the nightshade family, and like the rest of that group it produces solanine as the plant defends itself — concentrated in the green, unripe parts rather than the red flesh most of us actually eat. As a tomato ripens, its solanine content drops sharply, which is why a ripe piece carries very little of the compound that makes the plant risky in the first place.

That means the everyday scenario — a dog snatching a piece of ripe tomato from a salad or a chopping board — is not the same risk as a dog getting into an unripe tomato plant in the garden, stems, leaves and all. It is the plant and the unripe fruit that carry the real solanine dose, not a slice of red tomato from your dinner.

How much is sensible

A small piece or two of ripe tomato, given occasionally, is a reasonable amount for most adult dogs — there is no benefit to feeding more, and tomato is not a food a dog's diet needs. Remove the stem and any green parts before offering it, and cut larger pieces down for smaller dogs.

Tinned tomatoes, pasta sauce and ketchup are a different matter to fresh fruit. They often carry added salt, sugar, garlic or onion, all of which are worth avoiding, so stick to plain fresh tomato flesh rather than anything from a jar or a tin.

Warning signs to watch for

A dog who has eaten a genuinely large amount of unripe tomato, or got into the plant itself — stems and leaves included — can show symptoms of tomatine poisoning: vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, or an unsteady walk. These signs are worth ringing your vet about promptly rather than waiting to see if they pass.

A dog who has simply had a piece of ripe tomato from dinner is very unlikely to show any reaction at all, but as with any new food, keep an eye out for an upset stomach the first time and stop if anything seems off.

What to feed instead

If your dog enjoys the texture of a piece of fruit or veg as a treat, a shop-bought treat made for dogs is a more consistent option than working out which parts of a plant food are safe each time.

Puzzle feeders and slow feeders are also a good way to make an occasional treat, tomato or otherwise, stretch further and slow a dog down who tends to gulp rather than chew.

Make treat time better

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Inflatable Herding Ball with Handles for Dogs

A large, tough inflatable herding ball that taps into your dog's natural chase-and-nudge instinct. Reinforced bite-resistant fabric and grab handles make it great for active outdoor play with medium and large breeds.

£29.99

Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats

Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.

From£12.99

Plush Strawberry Snuffle Mat

An interactive foraging mat with removable plush strawberries that hide treats and kibble. Encourages natural snuffling and slows feeding, providing mental enrichment for dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs alike.

From£13.99

Plush Snuffle Foraging Mat

A roll-up plush snuffle mat with cute animal designs. Hide treats in the folds and let your pet sniff and forage to find them - a rewarding enrichment game that beats boredom and slows feeding.

£13.99

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Common questions

Can dogs eat tomato leaves or the stem?: No, these are the parts to actually avoid. The green parts of the tomato plant — stems, leaves and unripe fruit — carry far more solanine than a ripe tomato does, and eating a genuinely large amount can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or an unsteady walk. Keep dogs away from tomato plants in the garden.
Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?: Yes, once ripe, in the same small amounts as any other tomato. Cut them in half for smaller dogs, since a whole cherry tomato is roughly bite-sized and can be a choking risk if swallowed whole rather than chewed properly first.
Can dogs eat tinned tomatoes or pasta sauce?: It is better to avoid both. Tinned tomatoes and pasta sauces commonly contain added salt, sugar, garlic or onion, all of which are worth keeping away from dogs, so stick to plain fresh tomato flesh rather than anything that has been tinned or turned into a sauce.
My dog ate a whole unripe tomato — what should I do?: Ring your vet and mention what happened and roughly how much was eaten. A large amount of unripe tomato or the plant itself carries more solanine than a ripe one, and your vet can advise whether to bring your dog in based on their size and what was actually eaten.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.