Ripe red tomato fruit is listed as non-toxic to dogs by the ASPCA, but the leaves, stems and green (unripe) tomatoes contain solanine-type plant alkaloids. Pet Poison Helpline says these alkaloids are in all parts of the plant, with ripe tomatoes having the least, and that large amounts of green tomatoes, leaves or stems may cause vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy and stumbling. If your dog ate plant parts and seems unwell, call your vet, ASPCA (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661. No published mg/kg toxic dose was found, so this page has no calculator.
Which part did your dog eat?
The plant part matters more than the number of tomatoes. Neither source gives a per-weight toxic amount, so the table below groups exposures by what was eaten rather than by a dose.
| What was eaten | What published sources say | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe red tomato fruit | Listed as non-toxic (ASPCA); least alkaloid content (Pet Poison Helpline) | Usually only watch for stomach upset |
| Green, unripe tomatoes | Contain more plant alkaloids than ripe fruit (Pet Poison Helpline) | Call your vet if a large amount was eaten or signs appear |
| Leaves, stems or vines | Contain solanine (ASPCA); large amounts linked to GI and neurological signs (Pet Poison Helpline) | Call your vet or a poison hotline |
| Sauce, salsa, soup or pizza | The tomato is rarely the main concern; check for onion and garlic | See onions and garlic |
A small dog that chewed a large amount of plant material is a bigger concern than a large dog that ate one ripe cherry tomato. Bring a photo of the plant and note whether the fruit was green or red.
Symptom timeline
Neither the ASPCA nor Pet Poison Helpline publishes an onset window in hours for tomato plant ingestion, so this page does not invent one. The signs they list are:
- Digestive: drooling (hypersalivation), not wanting to eat, vomiting, diarrhea and severe stomach upset.
- Nervous system and heart: depression, weakness, lethargy, stumbling, disorientation, dilated pupils and a slow heart rate.
Digestive signs are the most common. Weakness, stumbling, dilated pupils or a slow heart rate are reasons to call a vet straight away rather than waiting.
What to do now
Dog poison control: phone numbers, fees and when to call.
- Remove any remaining leaves, stems or green fruit and check how much is missing.
- Note your dog's weight, which plant parts were eaten and roughly when.
- If your dog only ate ripe red fruit and is acting normally, watch for stomach upset.
- If your dog ate leaves, stems or green tomatoes, or shows any sign above, call your vet or a poison hotline.
Related pages
- Dog ate onions — a common ingredient in tomato sauces
- Dog ate garlic — often in pasta sauce and pizza
- Dog ate grapes — another fruit with no safe amount
- Dog ate acorns — another garden plant risk
- A–Z of toxins
When to call for help
Call your veterinarian promptly after a known or suspected ingestion. ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is available at (888) 426-4435 and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. These poison-control lines may charge a consultation fee. If your dog collapses, has a seizure, struggles to breathe, cannot stand or has a swollen painful abdomen, seek emergency veterinary care immediately; do not delay transport to finish reading or calculating a dose.
Have the dog's weight, the product or plant name, the maximum possible amount and the ingestion time ready. Bring the packaging or a clear photograph. The information lookup linked on this page can organize details, but it does not replace a poison-control consultation or urgent treatment. Do not induce vomiting without veterinary advice. This reference summarizes published veterinary sources; it does not establish a diagnosis or claim a new veterinary review.