Can dogs eat tomato? Tomato fruit is a common part of our daily cooked food, be it a curry or an omelette. It is also used as a salad among other vegetables such as cucumber, onions, and cabbage. Tomato is a healthy fruit for humans, and they feed them to their dogs too. So, can dogs eat tomato?
Dogs have different digestive systems, and their dietary needs are specific and vary from humans. Although their diet mainly consists of meat that provides them proteins helpful for their body maintenance. But tomatoes may also contain toxins, so are tomatoes safe for your dog?
Can dogs eat tomato? Yes, tomatoes are beneficial for your furry friend as they contain several nutrients, including minerals and vitamins, that promote its overall health and maintain the normal functioning of organs. But you must be careful while feeding tomatoes as they should be ripened and fed in a moderate amount.
Health benefits of feeding tomato?
Can dogs eat tomato? What are the health benefits of feeding tomato to your dog? Tomatoes are healthy as they can be easily chewed and digested by your canine fellow.
As we know that dogs require proteins in bulk to perform their bodily functions efficiently, and for that, they need to rely on meat and its byproducts.
Generally, commercially available dog food contains all nutrients in a balanced ratio. But sometimes, your dog can eat food other than its regular diet, but it should be safe and beneficial.
They contain a small number of proteins that may help your dog strengthen its bones and enhance muscle mass.
Also, organ development and its functioning depend on the energy generated by the metabolism of proteins inside the body. Moreover, tomatoes are low in calories which helps your dog in preventing obesity and reducing its weight.
Tomatoes deliver a vital antioxidant to your canine friend known as lycopene, which helps minimize inflammation in your dog’s body.
It assists in the elimination of free radicals that tend to cause oxidative stress and produce serious health issues.
Lycopene prevents inflammatory activities inside the body, reducing the chances of heart disease, cancer, and joint inflammation. It also makes your dog’s bones strong and improves its mobility.
Did you Know?
We have written many articles about what dogs can eat. But did you know about this one? Can Dogs Eat Cuties?
Risks of feeding tomato to your dog?
Can dogs eat tomato? What are the health risks of feeding tomato to your dog? The above discussion suggests that tomatoes benefit your dog, but it must be noted that tomatoes do not contain all nutrients required for their normal growth.
As it is not part of your puppy’s daily diet, overeating can cause gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. In severe cases, your dog may have an abnormal heart rate.
The unripened tomatoes are poisonous for your dogs as they possess a toxic compound known as tomatin that may hurt your dog’s digestive system. Usually, they cause diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain in your dog.
Also, the leaves and stems of a tomato plant contain this toxin in a large quantity, so you should refrain your dog from consuming the green parts of a tomato plant.
Moreover, if your dog eats tomatoes in a large quantity, it may refuse to consume its regular diet making it deficient in certain nutrients.
How many tomatoes can a dog eat?
If your dog is showing interest in consuming tomatoes, there is no harm in feeding a small piece of ripe tomato to your puppy. However, watch out for an adverse reaction; if you observe it, stop feeding tomatoes and call your veterinarian.
The best way to feed tomatoes is by mixing them with their natural diet to make a balanced diet containing all nutrients. Also, it is better to feed them moderately so your dog does not get addicted to them.
Are tomatoes bad for dogs to eat?
The ripe tomatoes with juicy flesh are not toxic for your dog, but the unripe tomatoes and their green portion, including leaves and stalk, are poisonous. They contain a toxin known as tomatin that causes intestinal disorders affecting food digestion.
Are tomatoes safe for dogs?
Can dogs eat tomato? Yes, ripe tomatoes are safe for the dog but only in moderation. They contain essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals helpful for their nourishment. Antioxidants in tomatoes protect your dog’s organs from several diseases.
Moreover, the minerals in tomatoes, such as potassium, aid in maintaining muscle health and blood pressure of your puppy, boosting its overall health.
Vitamin C is crucial for your dog’s skin health, while vitamin A protects your dog from night blindness, promoting its vision. Another important nutrient in tomatoes is beta-carotene which converts into vitamin A and boosts your pup’s immunity.
Conclusion – Can dogs eat tomato?
So, can dogs eat tomato? Yes, tomatoes are safe to eat by your canine friend as they are full of nutrients, but unripened tomatoes should be avoided as they are toxic.
