Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? Which Vegetables Are Good For Dogs?

Can dogs eat tomatoes? No, they can’t! Tomatoes, raw or cooked, ripe or green, are toxic to dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?

The tomato is part of the Solanaceae, a family of varied plants among which we commonly eat: potatoes, aubergines, peppers, and peppers. One of them is also very well known: none other than tobacco! But unfortunately, some have a bad reputation, including the famous belladonna, a poison, nightshade, datura, or mandrake.

Their main common point is the presence of solanine in their tissues, a toxic alkaloid at a certain dose. Stem, leaves, green fruits, and roots are rich in solanine. They are generally less quantity of the fruits once ripe, as well as the tubers, which are edible. This is a tuber exposed to light.

Solanine Poisoning İn Dogs

Even at low doses, Solanine has a physiological effect on the body of an animal that swallows it, from 2 to 5 mg per kilo.

Symptoms appear between 2 and 3 hours after ingestion:

Diarrhea, Vomiting, Pain İn The Abdomen,

Muscle Weakness, Tremors, Lack Of Coordination,

Excess Drool,

High Heart Rate,

Breathing Difficulties,

Seizures,

Dilated Pupils 

The still-green tomatoes can cause the most significant problems because they contain a lot of them. The green parts are all ones to watch. Your dog should not eat a leaf or a stem, nor eat a green tomato; the quantities of toxic substances there are lethal for the dog. If you have seen him do this, monitor his behavior and contact your veterinarian as soon as symptoms appear.

The tomato also contains tomatine, another toxic substance, also very present in green fruits.

Ripe Tomato, Raw, Cooked, All Bad?

Giving ripe tomatoes to a dog may suddenly seem like a good idea; it is much less loaded with alkaloids, is rich in water, and is low in calories. And yet, it remains very risky because even a minimal dose of these substances is toxic for the dog. Certainly, if he eats a small piece of it, he does not run a significant risk, perhaps just a few temporary digestive problems. Still, if he eats a larger quantity, it can seriously affect his kidneys, his nervous system, or his digestive. 

Can You Give Tomato Sauce To A Dog?

We learned the answer to the question of whether dogs can eat tomatoes. So can you give tomato sauce to a dog? Well, it all depends on the tomato sauce! Plain, without salt, pepper, garlic, or onion, and very simmered, no particular problem, especially since the quantity will certainly be minimal.

It is advisable to avoid it as soon as it is seasoned or not very cooked. Solanine is not destroyed by heat and only begins to deteriorate above 243°, so only long cooking at high heat can eliminate it. Cooked tomato is also not recommended for dogs.

Other Vegetables Or Fruits Dangerous For The Dog

Grapes cause digestive disorders, sometimes with acute kidney failure.

Avocado: just like its stem and leaves, the fruit of the avocado tree is toxic to many animals, including dogs. It is the fatty esters it contains that cause intoxication: digestive, cardiovascular, respiratory disorders, as well as lethargy or prostration, are common symptoms of avocado ingestion, or even moments of play with a core of avocado. 'lawyer.

Garlic, onion, and other Alliums (leek, spring onion, chives, shallot) can cause acute poisoning if a large quantity is ingested, but also chronic poisoning if the animal consumes them regularly, even in small doses, under the form of gastroenteritis and/or anemia. The sulfur compounds in which these plants are rich are in question here. Garlic seems to be the most toxic of all. Symptoms sometimes appear several days after ingestion: respiratory problems, depression, and dark urine.

The macadamia nut is also very toxic, causing serious disorders, among other things at the level of neurotransmitters. The shell of this fruit is also toxic, and cooking does not reduce the risk.

The potato is, therefore, another Solanaceae.

What Vegetables Can Be Given To A Dog?

There are not so many vegetables that are safe for dogs:

Green beans only if cooked;

 Cooked spinach, rich in fiber and vitamins, is delicious food (except for dogs with fragile or diseased kidneys). On the other hand, it is advisable to cut them into small pieces to prevent them from getting stuck in your dog's throat;

Cabbage, in small quantities, is also recommended, as is lettuce or celery, also cut into small pieces,

Carrots are rich in vitamins but beware. They are also rich in sugars,

Zucchini provides water, vitamins, and fiber with very few calories.

However, these foods should not be given too often. A frequency of twice a month, in small quantities, is sufficient.

 

What Vegetables Are Good For My Dog?

Cucumbers: they are a treat of choice for your dog. Composed of 95% water, its caloric intake is low: it counts about ten calories per 100 g. In addition to providing good hydration, cucumbers do not contain fat. They still give a feeling of satiety, which makes it a very good food supplement for the most greedy.

Zucchini: Full of fiber and rich in vitamins (especially vitamin C), zucchini boost the immune system: better vitality, beautiful coat, and better joint tenacity. In addition to providing excellent hydration, they are very low in calories.

Green beans: they are perfect for your doggie! Low in calories, they contain many benefits. Green beans are packed with vitamins (A, C, and K), fiber, and manganese. The vitamin K contained in this vegetable is helpful for bone mineralization as well as cell growth. Vitamins A and C are very good antioxidants helping to boost the immune system. Be careful, though. It is recommended to give them well-cooked to your dog continually. 

Sweet potatoes: with their very mild and slightly sweet taste, our four-legged friends often appreciate the sweet potato. Its high content of complex carbohydrates and fiber provides energy to the dog and contributes to better digestion. Sweet potato is also a source of potassium, vitamin D, and vitamin C. Beware of its high carbohydrate content if you want to control your pet's weight or if your pet has diabetes.

 

What Vegetables Are Bad For My Dog?

If some vegetables are excellent for our friend the dog, others should be permanently banned from their diet because they can be toxic to your pet.

Raw potatoes: they contain solanine. This is a very toxic alkaloid for the dog and is responsible for digestive disorders (colic, vomiting.) but also sometimes nervous. The peelings and cooking water are also unhealthy. However, cooked and peeled, the potato presents no risk for your animal.

Onions (garlic and leeks): at the origin of poisoning? The sulfur compounds in onions are responsible for destroying red blood cells circulating in your dog's blood. This can therefore lead to hemolytic anemia. Therefore, this ingredient should be completely banned from canine companion food! Garlic and leek, which belong to the same family as the onion (genus Allium), can cause comparable poisoning.

Carrots: Crunchy and delicious, the carrot is a vegetable with a thousand and one virtues! Excellent for human food, it is also the case for our dog friends:

Boost the immune system: carrots contain essential nutrients to boost immune systems, such as vitamins, fiber, calcium, and protein.

A beautiful coat: vitamin A will contribute to the improvement of your dog's coat, softer and silkier!

Better digestion: Carrots are a good source of fiber and prebiotics that help digestion.

Improves and maintains vision: carrots contain lycopene and lutein: two phytonutrients responsible for protecting the dog's eyes.

What Fruits Are Good For My Dog?

Fruit for your dog? Good idea, but be careful all the same because it is, above all, a question of quantity! Dogs are carnivores. Fruits and vegetables are not the basis of their diet. On the other hand, they can be incorporated in small amounts, occasionally in his usual food, enough to delight your dog's lips and make him happy by making him discover new flavors! In moderation, of course.

Strawberries: Full of vitamin C and antioxidants, strawberries improve your dog's resilience to health problems. They also promote digestion thanks to their high water and fiber content. And that's not all! They are also known to contain an enzyme to make teeth whiter, enough to give your doggie an absolute hell of a smile! Be careful, though; strawberries contain a lot of sugar. It is therefore recommended to provide it in small quantities to your canine companion. 

Apples: These are an excellent source of vitamins A and C and are packed with fiber to keep your dog's digestive system working efficiently. Also rich in antioxidants, they help fight against cellular aging. In addition, the apple is rich in water. Therefore, it has the advantage of being refreshing and hydrating, enough to relieve your companion in case of high heat! 

Bananas are an excellent probiotic; they provide fibers that serve as a structural basis for the good microorganisms present in the intestine: the microbiota. Bananas are also antioxidants and can contribute to the long-term improvement of your dog's health, hair and skin.

Blueberries: they are full of antioxidants and fiber, enough to give a significant boost to the health of your puppy! The flavonoids would also make it possible to limit insulin resistance and thus regulate the level of glucose in the dog's blood.

Pears: they are particularly rich in nutrients and confer many benefits. They are an excellent source of fibers that help prevent heart disease and cancer and regulate blood pressure. In addition, pears are composed of 84% water; they can contribute to the good hydration of your dog and prevent heat stroke. 

Which Fruits Are Bad For My Dog?

If some fruits are excellent for our friend, the dog, others should be permanently banned from their diet because they can be toxic to your pet.

Grapes: all of them, fresh or dried, are potentially toxic to dogs and puppies. We do not yet know precisely the molecule responsible for the toxicity, but it is well established that grapes represent a potential danger for dogs. The toxicity of grapes is renal and digestive. It can lead to acute kidney failure in dogs.

Onions: the sulfur compounds in onions are responsible for destroying the red blood cells circulating in your dog's blood. This can therefore lead to hemolytic anemia. Therefore, this ingredient should be completely banned from canine companion food!

Garlic: as with onions or shallots, garlic belongs to the Liliaceae family. In high doses, garlic can cause poisoning in dogs. Just like an onion, garlic poisoning can lead to anemia.

Avocados: contain persin (a fungicidal toxin). This fatty acid is very dangerous for animals. The person is found in the pit and peel of the fruit, which makes ingestion unpleasant. Your dog could experience stomach upset. Prepare the ingredient well before giving them to your dog.

Blueberries: Tasty and fragrant, the blueberry is full of particularly renowned virtues! These berries are known to improve our health, but the same is true for the health of our four-legged friends.

Boost the immune system: Blueberries contain essential nutrients to boost the immune system, such as vitamins A and C, fiber, calcium, and protein.

Prevent degenerative diseases: The antioxidant properties of flavonoids and phenolic acids present in blueberries are essential to prevent degenerative and cardiovascular diseases.

Aid in digestion: the fiber intake of blueberries helps to improve intestinal transit and acts as a natural remedy against constipation in dogs and cats.

Non-stick properties: blueberries have non-stick properties that prevent the adhesion of bacteria and other microorganisms to the walls of the urinary tract, facilitating their elimination through urine. This effect prevents urinary tract infections, cystitis, and the formation of kidney stones in cats and dogs.

Stimulate blood circulation: blueberries contain bioflavonoids or "vitamin P," which have an anticoagulant effect on the body. In reasonable doses, they stimulate blood circulation and help prevent clots from forming.

Balancing the metabolism: the phytochemicals present in the blueberry help prevent hyperglycemia, obesity, and diabetes.

The blueberry is a real boost in antioxidants to complete the recipe of our croquettes and thus guarantee a nice skewer of top-of-the-range organic ingredients. In addition, all our recipes for dogs contain organic blueberries.

Foods That Are Poisonous To Dogs 

Our dog friends are opportunistic when putting their paws on good treats or a piece of meat that falls from the plate! But all foods and drinks are not necessarily good. Some are even dangerous for your pet's health. Are you sure you know all the toxic foods for your dog? 

Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are rich in healthy fats, dietary fiber, protein, manganese, thiamin, and copper. But if, for humans, the Macadamia nut is full of virtues, this is not the case for the dog. This is because macadamia nuts contain a toxin that can affect your dog's muscles and nervous system, leading to weakness, swollen limbs, and panting. Although researchers and veterinarians have not formally identified the toxin responsible for the poisoning, thousands of our canine companions each year become poisoned with Macadamia nuts. The molecule involved could be present in the nut or be a contaminant, a mycotoxin, or a fruit treatment product. It could also be a genetic susceptibility in the victim dog. One thing is sure, a small number of nuts can cause serious symptoms in dogs, and cooking the nut does not remove its toxicity to our canine companions. The dog is the only species in which the toxicity of Macadamia nuts has been proven: it does not take concern cats, for example. The animal usually poisons himself by eating nuts his guardian gives as a reward. In regions where the nut is grown (notably in Australia), dogs have been poisoned by chewing nut shells that have fallen to the ground.

Corncob

Corn kernels do not present an immediate danger to your pet, except that you will very quickly see in his stools almost all of the kernels ingested come out whole and undigested: a sign that the dog's digestive system is not adapted to assimilate them. The major danger comes from ingesting the cob, the central part of the corn. Carnivores, unlike us, do not chew their food. Their molars and premolars are not flat but sharp to act as shears to cut the pieces of meat they will ingest without chewing.

Giving your dog a whole cob of corn is a bad idea because he will swallow whole pieces without chewing them. Once in your animal's stomach, these pieces will not be digested since the dog has no characteristics to digest this food (unlike cows or horses, for example). Once they enter the small intestine (small intestine), the pieces will create a blockage, preventing the rest of the ingested food from making its way through the small intestine. Although dogs digest corn, the cob can cause a blockage in your dog's intestine and thus cause serious digestive upset.

Chocolate

If chocolate can be a great pleasure for humans, it is, on the contrary, highly toxic for dogs and must be banned entirely. Indeed, chocolate contains theobromine which affects the dog's cardiovascular, nervous, and renal systems. Theobromine is an alkaloid belonging to the methylxanthine family, to which theophylline and caffeine also belong. Theobromine is responsible for the bitter taste of cocoa and chocolate. These plant alkaloids stimulate the central nervous system and heart muscle. In addition, they induce the relaxation of smooth muscles (especially those of the respiratory tract) and increase urine production. The darker the chocolate (rich in cocoa), the greater its toxicity for the dog. Dogs eliminate theobromine more slowly than humans. Therefore, the toxic dose is reached more quickly. White chocolate contains almost no theobromine and is not dangerous. 

Xylitol

 Xylitol (E967) is a sweetener extracted from birch bark. It is a substitute for sucrose in various products and foods: sugar-free chewing gum, cakes, chocolate bars, many sweets, toothpaste, and medicines. Xylitol is a very toxic product in dogs (but not cats).

Xylitol poisoning in dogs occurs through excessive consumption of food containing the molecule. It is most often the dog who steals a packet of cakes, sweets, and chewing gum, but also the owner who rewards his dog in large quantities. 

The Alcohol

Alcohol is as bad for a dog's liver and brain as it does for humans. But it takes a lot less to make your dog sick! So even if you give little beer, liquor, wine, or food, alcohol can be harmful. Ingestion of alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, coordination problems, breathing problems, coma, and even death. And if you have a smaller dog, the worse it can be.

What To Do In Case Of Poisoning?

If tomatoes have been given to your dog inadvertently, or he has gone to chew on a few stems in the vegetable garden, it is urgent to see, or at least contact, the veterinarian. By phone, he can tell you the procedure to follow.

The management of poisoning most often consists of an emetic treatment, often associated with vegetable charcoal.

 

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How To Act In Case Of Poisoning İn Dogs?

First instinct: call your veterinarian immediately! If you know the name of the toxin, he can tell you what to do before coming and ask you to go to the consultation room. Depending on the nature of the poisoning, there are several methods. If the poison is allowed and has been ingested less than 4 hours before, it can make him vomit. Beyond this time, the chances of vomiting being effective are lower. The veterinarian will then swallow a large quantity of activated charcoal to absorb as many toxins as possible. He can also put your dog on a drip to hydrate and eliminate the toxic substance through the urine.

As a reminder, in France, two veterinary anti-poison centers answer all questions about poisoning due to plants, poisonous animals, human or veterinary drugs, and other household products. You can reach them by phone for urgent questions only or by e-mail for all other inquiries.

How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Anything Lying Around

Walking with your dog or puppy should be a shared pleasure, but sometimes the walk becomes a real ordeal because your dog spends most of his time sniffing and swallowing everything he finds on the ground. At home, it's the same. Your dog picks up everything that can be found, whether eaten or not. So why is your dog a walking vacuum cleaner, especially how to avoid it? But first, let's figure out what happened and how to fix the problem.

 

Why Does Your Dog Pick Up Everything?

This phenomenon of picking up everything he finds is a behavior your dog learned when he was a puppy. It is an entirely normal behavior in the puppy. It helps him to discover, to understand what surrounds him. But it can become complicated to manage if this way of discovering becomes invasive to the point that your dog spends more time with his nose on the ground than up.

It should also be noted that puppies are the first victims of poisoning (chemical products, fertilizers, etc.) and digestive foreign bodies (toys, socks, and anything else that can lie around) because of this need to taste, chew, and discover what is going on is in his path.

How Do Avoid This Behavior?

To limit the accidental ingestion of toxic products or objects, you must act with your puppy like a toddler and secure his environment. The whole family must be aware that your puppy is fragile, so nothing is left lying around (easy to say). No food (watch out for chocolate), no socks on the ground, and watch out for children’s toys that weren’t designed to resist puppies’ little sharp teeth.

But unfortunately, that's not enough; you have to educate him, teach him "no" and "you leave." Like all learning from a young age - cleanliness, being alone... - you have to teach your puppy not to touch. Don't expect it to work the first time; you have to train it and don't forget to reward it when its behavior is adapted.

Place a kibble on the ground in front of your dog and repeat the command "you leave" in a firm tone but without shouting. If he tries to get the kibble, hold him back and repeat the order. When he seems to give up, praise him and give him a treat. Over time, your dog will associate "you leave" with positive action: the treat!

And For An Adult Dog?

This behavior has not been corrected at the young age of the dog. The vacuum cleaner is on, you're out for a walk, and the old piece of burger lying on the floor has just been swallowed. You should have anticipated, yet you know that your dog is a vacuum cleaner. So when you see that your dog dives to try to swallow something, the same method as for the puppy, "you leave" in a frank tone.

Conclusion

We hope this article was helpful for the answer to the can dogs eat tomatoes question. Vegetables, so recommended for our health, seem harmless to us, and giving them to our pets even seems beneficial for their health. And yet, although this is not a general case, many of these foods are toxic, especially tomatoes, and can make our 4-legged friend sick. So you might as well be careful and don't feed your china tomato, nor these other not-so-harmless vegetables.