Short answer: a small amount of ripe red tomato flesh can be fed, but the green stem, vine, and any unripe portions contain a toxic substance called solanine and must always be removed before feeding.
What is solanine?
It's a naturally occurring toxic alkaloid found in the green parts of nightshade family plants (tomatoes, potatoes, etc.), and ingesting it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and neurological symptoms.
Why should the green stem never be fed?
① The stem and vine have the highest concentration of solanine ② An entire unripe green tomato also has high solanine content, making it far more dangerous than the ripe parts. These two are the core reasons it must never be fed.
Is ripe tomato safe?
A small amount of fully ripe, red tomato flesh is known to have significantly reduced solanine content and can generally be fed in small amounts, but it's still safer to remove the area around the stem and seeds.
What should I do if my dog accidentally ate the stem?
If it was a small amount, watch for symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. If symptoms appear or a larger amount was eaten, it's safest to contact your vet.
How should I prepare tomato before feeding it?
Completely remove the stem, vine, and leaves, and feed only small pieces of the ripe flesh, cut small — that's the basic rule.
