Tomatoes are a very popular and healthy food for us, especially in the summer, when they are delicious cold or eaten directly from an organic fresh tomato. As we feast on them, you'll find your dog at home staring at you with watery eyes, probably hoping your master will be kind enough to give him a bite as well.
Tomatoes are a good source of tomato lycopene, an antioxidant that can reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. Tomatoes are also rich in potassium, folic acid, and vitamin C. For some people trying to control their weight, tomatoes are low in calories and contain a lot of fiber. With so many benefits, can dogs eat tomatoes?
The inhabitants of northern Europe in the West feel that tomatoes are a poisonous plant. Tomatoes belong to the genus Solanum and they contain a toxic alkaloid that can create poisons. If tomatoes are served on a tin plate, they may absorb lead from the tin plate, leading to lead poisoning. And two of the alkaloids contained in tomatoes, tomatine, and lobeline, can be found in the leaves and young fruit of tomatoes, but these are so mildly toxic that you may have to eat a pound and a half of tomatoes before the tomato toxicity becomes evident.

The leaves and stems of tomatoes, including unripe tomatoes, are toxic to dogs, and the degree to which this toxicity affects your dog depends on your dog's weight, age, and overall health status. If you have a dog that likes to "eat their veggies", keep them away from orchards and gardens as much as possible.

If you accidentally eat the "poisonous" part of a tomato, your dog may experience gastrointestinal distress and weakness, so it's best to take your dog to the doctor to get some treatment. Although this toxicity may not kill the dog, their health, still needs to be careful.

So, can tomatoes be given to dogs, in the end, eat is possible to eat, can give dogs to eat is ripe tomatoes, this is safe for dogs?
For the dog to eat tomatoes, if the internal soft part can be given directly to the dog to eat, and if the flesh is relatively hard, we better cut the tomatoes into small pieces of small pieces to feed, so as not to cause choking dogs. For smaller dogs, it is best to cut the tomatoes into small pieces before giving them to eat. Some owners feel that canned tomatoes are more convenient and do not need to be processed, so it is necessary to see if these cans have added some other substances, for example, whether there is salt.

Tomatoes can be eaten raw, but they can also be made into many tomato products, such as tomato sauce, and tomato soup, and if these are to be given to dogs, then other recipes should be considered to avoid the presence of substances that dogs cannot eat. If you can't, you can make your DIY tomato-free recipes so that you can give them to your dog with the utmost confidence.

I. The benefits and drawbacks of tomatoes for dogs

What are the benefits of tomatoes for dogs?
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which is one of the most powerful antioxidants of all-natural plants. Lycopene can play a role in preventing and inhibiting tumors, thanks to its antioxidant effect, as well as blocking tissue cells. In addition to this, tomatoes contain a lot of fiber and beta-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin C. Ripe tomatoes also help in the digestion of dogs. And tomatoes are low in calories, making them a great vegetable for dogs who are overly obese and need to control their diet.

What is the downside of tomatoes for dogs?
Although tomatoes are tart and sweet to eat, they are not a very safe food. Spanish and Italian colonists who visited South America long ago wanted to introduce tomatoes back to their country, but the people of northern Europe did not support them at the time because they thought they were poisonous. Tomatoes are in the Solanaceae family and like mandrake, it contains biotoxic bases, many of which are used to make poisons. Unripe tomatoes also contain a substance called lobeline, which releases toxins in the presence of stomach acid, and it cannot be extinguished even at high temperatures. If you eat unripe tomatoes, you will get a bitter feeling in your mouth, and if you eat them, they will cause vomiting, diarrhea, stomach burning, and possibly even poisoning.
But talking about harm out of dose is a hooligan. Even though the stems and leaves of tomatoes contain toxic substances, it takes more than a pound of servings for a person to experience significant discomfort. In the case of a dog, discomfort depends largely on its age, weight, and health, as well as the amount it eats. But I believe no owner should give their dog tomato stems and leaves.
Tomato alkaloids that are toxic to dogs
Although tomatoes are rich in nutrients, they used to not be everyone's cup of tea. Although Spanish and Italian colonists who visited South America wanted to bring tomatoes home, the Scandinavians didn't like them at the time and found the plant poisonous, even calling them "poison apples".
Indeed, tomatoes are a member of the Solanaceae family, many of which, like mandrake, contain toxic alkaloids. These alkaloids have been used for centuries to make poisons. Unripe tomatoes contain lobeline, which breaks down in the presence of stomach acid to release toxins, a toxin that cannot be eliminated even under the effect of heat. Unripe green tomatoes are often uncomfortable to eat, with a mild bitterness in the mouth, nausea and vomiting, burning pain in the stomach, and severe cases, poisoning.
The leaves and stems of tomatoes are also poisonous to dogs. However, their toxicity is very mild. In the case of humans, you must eat about a pound or more of tomato leaves before there is a noticeable reaction. And how harmful to your dog depends on factors such as his weight, age, and overall health.

II. What should I look for in feeding tomatoes to my dog?

Although tomatoes are soft, the soft and floppy stuff is also easy to choke if swallowed in one bite, just like a child eating jelly. So be sure to cut the tomatoes into small enough pieces before giving them to your dog. If you want to give your dog tomato soup, it's best to cook an extra pot for it. I'm sure the tomato soup you drink yourself has too much salt or sugar inside for the dog.
Some owners think that dogs eating dried-up dog food every day are not going to be nutritious enough. Especially because dogs want to go up and take a bite of whatever they see you eating, some owners feel that it is not good for the dog to feel the dog food. However, the digestibility of different dogs to different vegetables and fruits is not the same, some dogs eat tomatoes to eat very happily, and some dogs eat diarrhea. When feeding your dog other vegetables and fruits, be careful not to give your dog too much at a time to avoid their poor digestion and diarrhea.

Three: How should dogs eat tomatoes?

Before owners want to give their dogs tomatoes, it is best to cut them into small pieces or dice them, otherwise, dogs may choke and cause choking if they eat tomatoes in big mouths. When we eat tomatoes, we may use sugar to mix, but it is best not to let the dog eat this way, the dog should eat the original flavor. Owners can also mix tomatoes and other vegetables as a vegetable supplement for every meal for dogs.
It is best not to eat a lot of tomatoes for the dog, a small amount to feed it a taste of sweetness, is better for the body. The owner also has to observe whether it has adverse reactions after eating tomatoes, and if so, do not give it anymore, because it is possible that the digestibility of vegetables and fruits is different for different dogs.