Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Cherry Tomatoes? Ripe Ones, Cut Up — Yes
Yes, dogs can eat ripe cherry tomatoes in moderation, cut into halves or quarters. The AKC says ripe tomatoes are non-toxic to dogs, but the green parts of the plant, including stems, leaves, vines and unripe green fruit, contain solanine and tomatine, which can make dogs sick. If your dog ate tomato plants or a lot of green tomatoes, call your vet, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661; a fee may apply.
By Matt GarnettUpdated November 13, 20264 min read3 sources
Why ripe cherry tomatoes are safe
The ripe red flesh of a tomato contains very little of the compounds that cause trouble. The AKC describes ripe tomatoes as non-toxic to dogs and fine as an occasional snack, and they offer water, fiber and some vitamins for very few calories.
Cherry tomatoes are simply small tomatoes, so the same rules apply as for full-size ones. Their sweetness makes them popular with dogs, which is exactly why portion control and preparation matter more than the fruit itself.
The green parts and the garden
The AKC notes that solanine and tomatine are found mostly in the green parts of the tomato plant. Pet Poison Helpline lists unripe tomatoes, leaves, stems, vines and flowers as the toxic parts, and says severe poisoning is relatively uncommon but depends on the dog's size and how much it ate.
Cherry tomato plants are a common hazard in summer because they fruit low and heavily, and dogs strip them. Fence off vegetable beds, pick fruit as it ripens, and do not let your dog chew the vines or fallen green tomatoes.
How to serve cherry tomatoes to a dog
Choose fully red, ripe cherry tomatoes. Wash them, pull off any green stem or calyx, and cut each one in half for a large dog or into quarters for a small one. The AKC recommends cutting them small to reduce the choking risk.
Serve them raw and plain. Roasted cherry tomatoes are fine without oil or seasoning, but tomato salads, bruschetta and salsas usually include onion, garlic, salt or balsamic dressing, which should not be shared.
If you like to share small snacks, a lick mat or a treat ball makes a little go further and slows a fast eater down.
How many cherry tomatoes by dog weight
The AKC says only small amounts as an occasional treat. As a rough guide: under 20 lb, one cherry tomato cut into quarters; 20 to 50 lb, two, halved; over 50 lb, three or four, halved, a couple of times a week.
Start with a single piece the first time and watch your dog for the rest of the day. Tomatoes are acidic, and some dogs get a mildly upset stomach. Count them as part of your dog's treats for the day.
Puppies and cherry tomatoes
Puppies can try a small piece of ripe cherry tomato once they are on solid food, but cut it into quarters or smaller, because a whole cherry tomato can lodge in a small throat. Give one piece and check how your puppy reacts before offering more.
Puppies are the most likely dogs to chew garden plants, and their small bodies mean the same amount of green plant has a bigger effect. Keep a puppy well away from tomato beds and potted plants on decks.
Signs to watch for and when to call a vet
Too many ripe tomatoes may cause a soft stool, gas or a single bout of vomiting within a few hours. The AKC lists more serious signs from tomatine, usually after eating green plant parts: stumbling, muscle weakness, drooling, enlarged pupils, tremors or seizures, belly pain, vomiting and diarrhea.
Call your vet the same day if your dog ate green tomatoes, stems or vines, or shows any of those signs. Go straight away for tremors, seizures or collapse. A dog that is gagging or retching after swallowing a cherry tomato whole needs to be seen promptly too.
Other summer snacks for dogs
Cucumber slices, seedless watermelon cubes without the rind, blueberries and strawberries cut into pieces are refreshing, low-calorie alternatives. The ASPCA lists many of these among fruits and vegetables that are okay to share, with seeds, cores and peels removed.
Frozen fruit pieces or a plain cucumber slice dropped into a water bowl make good hot-weather treats. Keep all extras to a small part of your dog's daily food.
This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.
Common questions
Can dogs eat green cherry tomatoes?
No. Unripe green tomatoes contain more solanine and tomatine, which can make dogs sick. If your dog ate several green tomatoes or chewed the plant, call your vet or an animal poison line for advice.
Can dogs eat tomato plants?
No. Leaves, stems, vines and flowers are the most toxic parts of the tomato plant. Keep dogs out of the vegetable garden and call your vet if your dog chewed the plants and shows any signs.
Can dogs eat yellow cherry tomatoes?
Ripe yellow or orange cherry tomatoes are treated like ripe red ones. Make sure they are fully ripe rather than green-tinged, remove the stem and cut them small before sharing.
Can dogs eat roasted cherry tomatoes?
Plain roasted cherry tomatoes are fine in small amounts. Most roasted tomato recipes use olive oil, salt, garlic and herbs, so only share ones you cooked plain, and keep the portion small.
Can a cherry tomato choke a dog?
Yes, a whole cherry tomato is round and slippery and can lodge in a small dog's throat. Always cut them into halves or quarters, and supervise while your dog eats.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
