Food safety
Can Cats Eat Tomatoes? Ripe Flesh Only — Not the Plant
Ripe tomato flesh is not toxic to cats, but the tomato plant is: the ASPCA lists tomato plants as toxic to cats because the leaves, stems and unripe green fruit contain solanine, which can poison them. So a tiny piece of ripe, red tomato is unlikely to cause harm, while a cat chewing a garden tomato plant needs advice. Tomato sauces and soups are a separate problem, because they often contain onion and garlic. Cats gain nothing from tomato, so it is easiest to skip it.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why ripe tomato is safe but the plant is not
The ASPCA's toxic plant entry for the tomato plant lists it as toxic to cats, dogs and horses, with solanine as the toxic principle, and notes that the ripe fruit is non-toxic. VCA's fruit and vegetable guidance likewise tells owners to avoid green tomatoes. The green parts of the plant and unripe fruit carry the highest levels.
Cornell's Feline Health Center explains that cats are obligate carnivores, relying on nutrients found only in animal products. Even ripe tomato adds nothing a cat needs, so there is little reason to share it beyond curiosity.
Warning: leaves, stems, green tomatoes and sauces
Signs of tomato plant poisoning listed by the ASPCA include drooling, loss of appetite, severe gastrointestinal upset, depression, weakness, dilated pupils and a slow heart rate. Cats that nibble houseplants and patio planters are most at risk, so keep tomato plants out of reach of indoor cats.
Tomato sauce, salsa, pizza, ketchup and soup usually contain onion and garlic, which damage red blood cells and are more dangerous to cats than to dogs. If your cat chewed a tomato plant, ate green tomatoes, or ate a dish made with onion or garlic, call your vet, ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.
Many cats do better with small, slow portions, and a puzzle feeder or a slow feeder bowl helps with both.
What to do if your cat ate tomato
If your cat licked or ate a small piece of ripe red tomato flesh, there is usually nothing to do except watch for an upset stomach over the next day and make sure water is available.
If they chewed leaves or stems, ate green tomatoes, or ate tomato sauce or salsa, call for advice straight away. Note what was eaten and roughly how much, take a photo of the plant if you can, and do not try to make your cat vomit unless a vet tells you to.
Is any amount of tomato okay for a cat?
A small piece of ripe, red tomato flesh, with the stem, leaves and any green parts removed, is not toxic and is unlikely to harm a healthy adult cat. For an average 8 to 10 lb cat, a pea-sized piece is the most worth offering, and only occasionally.
Tomatoes are acidic and can upset some cats' stomachs, and there is no nutritional reason to give them. Cornell suggests treats stay under 10 to 15 percent of daily calories, and that allowance is better spent on meat-based treats.
Can kittens eat tomatoes?
Kittens should not be given tomatoes. They are more likely than adults to chew plants, their small size makes any solanine exposure more serious, and they need the full nutrition of a complete kitten food.
If a kitten chewed a tomato plant or ate green tomatoes, call your vet or a poison helpline for advice rather than waiting to see whether signs develop. Tomato seedlings and potted plants on windowsills are easy for a kitten to reach, so move them before bringing a kitten home.
Signs of tomato poisoning, and when to call the vet
After chewing the plant or green fruit, signs usually start within a few hours: drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, refusing food, and lethargy or depression. More serious signs listed by the ASPCA include weakness, dilated pupils and a slow heart rate.
Call your vet straight away for any of these after a plant exposure, and the same day for vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours after eating ripe tomato. After a dish with onion or garlic, watch for pale gums, weakness and dark urine over the following days, and get them seen if these appear.
Safer treats and plants for cats
Cats get more from a few shreds of plain cooked chicken or turkey, with no skin or seasoning, than from any vegetable. A teaspoon of fully cooked plain egg is another option.
If your cat likes to chew greens, grow cat grass from wheat or oat seed in a pot of its own and keep tomato plants, lilies and other toxic plants where your cat cannot reach them. The ASPCA's plant database is a quick way to check a plant before bringing it home.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Are tomato plants toxic to cats?
Yes. The ASPCA lists tomato plants as toxic to cats because of solanine. Leaves, stems and green fruit are the concern. Call your vet or a poison helpline if your cat chewed one.
Can cats eat cherry tomatoes?
A small piece of a ripe red cherry tomato is not toxic, but a whole one is a choking risk and offers nothing a cat needs. Remove the stem and leaves and cut it tiny if you share at all.
Can cats eat tomato sauce?
No. Tomato sauce usually contains onion and garlic, which are toxic to cats, plus salt and oil. Call your vet if your cat ate a significant amount of sauce or pizza.
Can cats eat green tomatoes?
No. Unripe green tomatoes contain solanine, and VCA advises avoiding them. Keep fallen fruit from garden plants out of reach and call for advice if your cat ate some.
Why does my cat like tomatoes?
Some cats are drawn to the smell or texture. If your cat repeatedly chews tomato plants or other greenery, keep plants out of reach and mention it to your vet.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
