Are Tomato Leaves safe for Dogs?
✓ Sources checked by the Eaoae Safety Review · 2026-10-28 · Based on 3 sources
Tomato leaves are not safe for dogs to eat. While ripe tomatoes are generally fine, the green parts of the plant contain solanine, a toxic glycoalkaloid. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset, drooling, and lethargy. Keep dogs away from tomato plants.
🚨 Emergency: Yes — contact your veterinarian immediately.
💡 Why
Tomato leaves and stems contain solanine and tomatine, which are toxic to dogs. These compounds inhibit acetylcholinesterase, leading to neurological and digestive issues. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness. The risk is dose-dependent, but even small amounts can upset a dog's stomach.
🩺 What to do
- Prevent access to tomato plants by moving them indoors or fencing them off.
- If your dog eats tomato leaves, monitor for vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy.
- Contact your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline right away if your dog ate tomato leaves or stems — don't wait for symptoms.
❓ Common questions
Are ripe tomatoes safe for dogs?
Yes, ripe red tomatoes are generally safe in small quantities, but the seeds and green parts should be avoided.
How much tomato leaf is toxic?
There is no specific safe threshold, but even small amounts can cause gastrointestinal distress in sensitive dogs.
What are the symptoms of tomato leaf poisoning?
Common signs include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, and in severe cases, tremors or weakness.
📚 Sources
- Chewy: Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes? (vet-reviewed; solanine/tomatine in leaves/stems)
- Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Tomato Plant
- Pet Poison Helpline: Tomato Plant
🔎 How the sources compare
What each authority says about tomato leaves \u2014 compiled 2026-10-24. Eaoae’s verdict summarizes these sources; it is not our own diagnosis.
| Source | Dogs | Cats | Dose info |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASPCA Animal Poison Control | Listed as toxic - Toxic to Dogs; toxic principle solanine, clinical signs include severe gastrointestinal upset, depression, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate; page notes ripe fruit is non-toxic | Listed as toxic - Toxic to Cats; toxic principle solanine, clinical signs include severe gastrointestinal upset, depression, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate; page notes ripe fruit is non-toxic | — |
| Pet Poison Helpline | Toxic - toxic plant alkaloids found in all parts of the plant, ripe tomatoes have the least and are considered non-toxic; ingesting large amounts of green tomatoes, leaves, or stems may develop gastrointestinal distress and neurological signs (weakness, lethargy, stumbling, disorientation) | Not covered | — |
| Merck Veterinary Manual | Not covered | Not covered | — |
| VCA Hospitals | Not covered | Not covered | — |
| Eaoae summary (dogs) | ⛔ Unsafe \u2014 Known to be harmful or toxic. Keep it away from your pet. | ||
🔗 Related checks for dogs
- Deadly webcap mushroom (Cortinarius rubellus) ⛔ Unsafe
- ibuprofen ⛔ Unsafe
- Cheese ⚠️ Caution
- chewing gum ⛔ Unsafe
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) ⛔ Unsafe
- Oatmeal ✅ Safe
Checked with Eaoae’s safety lookup. Answers are generated for reference and may be incomplete — always confirm with your vet for your individual pet. Spotted an error? Let us know.
