CAN DOGS EAT TOMATOES?

First of all, it is better to clarify what tomatoes actually are? A fruit or a vegetable? Tomatoes are heavily used in our kitchens as a vegetable for savory cooking purposes, but they are obtained from the ovary of a flowering plant and they also bear seeds just like a fruit does, hence there is a lot of confusion among some people whether to consider them a fruit or a vegetable. But speaking strictly in scientific terms, then tomatoes are in fact a fruit. Now, with that argument resolved, we should begin the main discussion which is the title of this article, should tomatoes be fed to our lovely pooches or not? Let’s first see what constituents are present inside a tomato so that we could have a better idea whether tomatoes are good from the inside or not?

Nutritional Elements in a Tomato

Tomatoes are a rich source of Vitamin A and C which are highly useful for the human body for its proper growth and development. And, the number of calories is extremely low in a tomato and also it doesn’t have any fat content either, which makes it immensely suitable for any kind of consumer. But, is all this goodness which is present inside the tomatoes beneficial for a canine too? Or do they in some way or another can harm our sweet companions? Let’s find out.

Benefits of feeding Tomatoes to your dogs

1. The phytochemical present inside the Tomatoes called Lycopene can help a canine’s body to fight against various degenerative diseases.
2. As we saw, tomatoes are filled with Vitamin A which is very useful for the eyesight. Hence, feeding these red squishy fruits to your dog can help in boosting his/her vision. It is also good for the canines who are suffering from night blindness.
3. Tomatoes are also a very good source of various antioxidants like beta-carotene, manganese et cetera. All these elements help the canines to stay healthy and fit.
4. This fruit can also strengthen a canine’s body tissues and helps in the development and growth of young dogs.
5. Tomatoes have the ability to lower a canine’s blood pressure and also reduce its cholesterol levels. And, due to this, tomatoes can prevent numerous heart-related problems in the canines like strokes, heart attacks et cetera.
6. Tomatoes can also help the canines to combat against very dangerous diseases like cancer (some forms of it). But it is better to take the advice of a veterinarian first.

Risks of feeding Tomatoes to your dogs

1. Tomatoes, like any other thing that is present in this world, should be used in limited amounts when it comes to feeding them to your dogs. They contain two toxic substances, although low in concentration, which are called Solanine and Tomatine. These substances can prove to be dangerous for a canine and its heart. But, they are only harmful when the quantity of tomato being fed to a dog is very high. They present a very little risk for the canines if these soft fleshy red fruits are given to them on an occasional basis.
2. Very large amounts of tomatoes if fed to a dog can also lead to constipation, vomiting, tremors, drowsiness et cetera.
3. If a canine is not able to digest tomatoes very well, then it can cause mild stomach pain and discomfort to them.
4. If a dog is suffering from a joint problem like Arthritis, then he/she should be kept far away from the tomatoes as it can easily worsen the condition.
5. And, it is better to feed only the ripe tomatoes to a canine as they contain a lower concentration of tomatine.

FINAL VERDICT:

So now it should be clear that feeding some slices of well-ripened tomatoes is perfectly fine for a dog as long as he/she is not suffering from any major health-related problem. Tomatoes can provide a lot of vitamins and antioxidants to our dogs but they also possess some substances which are not that desirable for a canine’s health. Therefore, this fruit can be used as an occasional treat for the dogs but making it a regular part of a canine’s daily meals is not recommended.