Can Dogs Eat Cherry Tomatoes?

Tomatoes are used in every vegetable that we cook for their tangy flavor. We eagerly wait for August for fresh ripe tomatoes. If you love tomatoes and add them to every meal, your dog may also love these tomatoes because generally, dogs get habitual of those things that they see the most and beg for the same food we eat. Do they not know what is good for them or what is bad? So, as a responsible dog parent, you must know what can harm your pet. Tomatoes are one of those foods that need caution. Let’s explore the answer to the question” Can Dogs Eat Cherry Tomatoes?” The answer is quite complicated because you can feed tomatoes to your pet in small quantities, but at the same time, you need to be careful because tomatoes contain two substances that can be harmful to dogs. Tomatoes contain alpha tomatine and solanine, which are poisonous to dogs. Therefore, there is no doubt that tomatoes add nutritional value, but at the same time, they can be poisonous if eaten in large quantities.

What is the Nutritional Value of Cherry Tomatoes?

If tomatoes are eaten within a specific limit, they add nutritional benefits for both humans and dogs. Make sure that you only give your dog ripe tomatoes because unripe tomatoes can harm your dog and create health problems for them. Some of the nutritional benefits are:

• Vitamin C: This vitamin improves skin and also heals the wound. This adds luster to the fur and helps in preventing metabolic syndrome. It also improves cardiovascular health.
• Vitamin A: This vitamin is good for eyesight.
• Fiber: The fiber present in tomatoes is good for the digestive system and waste elimination.
• Lycopene: Lycopene reduces the risk of heart diseases and stroke. It promotes bone health and has been associated with cancer prevention.

There are benefits to eating tomatoes, but dogs develop many of the same chronic diseases and health issues that we do. Tomato pomace is an ingredient that can be found in many dog foods. It is made of the skin, seeds, and pulp of ripe tomatoes. Solanine, which is poisonous for dogs, is water-soluble, so when you cook tomatoes, the solanine level increases in the liquid and decreases in the solid portions of the tomatoes. For the most part, these changes are not going to deny that overeating tomatoes can be poisonous.

When Are Tomatoes Bad for Dogs?

It would help if you were a good observer and knew the changes in your dog’s behavior. If they seem to experience any change in their behavior, you must immediately rush to the hospital or contact your vet immediately. The symptoms can be:

1. Allergies: The most common signs of allergies could be vomiting, diarrhea, itchiness, facial swelling, and hives. If any of these symptoms occur, it is a cause of concern because an allergic reaction can cause difficulty in breathing and death.

2. Stomach Upset: Tomatoes contain acid, and some dogs are sensitive to acids and can get an upset stomach. Some of the signs are vomiting, diarrhea, crying, or whining. If you experience any of these signs, take your dog to the vet, and he will tell you how to get your dog relief.

3. Tomatine or Solanine poisoning: The signs of tomatine or solanine poisoning are muscle weakness, loss of coordination, seizures, tremors, and cardiac symptoms. These are severe symptoms and are needed to be cured on time, and any delay can make you lose your pet.

Dogs will mostly show us that they are not feeling well through changes in their behavior. For example, your dog might seem restless and guard their belly, be shaky, and they might be clingier. If you see any changes in your dog’s behavior, then it is a sign for you to call the vet.

Conclusion

Tomatoes are good for your pet as long as eaten in limited quantities. However, too many tomatoes can be poisonous due to the presence of tomatine and solanine. The symptoms to watch for are vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, muscle weakness, etc. Contact your vet before these signs turn into severe threats such as tremors, seizures, etc. 

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