Food safety
Can Dogs Eat Tomato Sauce? Usually No — Read the Label
Usually no: most tomato sauce is not safe for dogs, because it is often made with garlic, onion, salt or sugar, and garlic and onion can poison dogs by damaging their red blood cells. The AKC advises avoiding tomato-based products like ketchup and pasta sauce for that reason. If your dog ate a lot of a garlicky sauce, 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 read2 sources
Why tomato sauce is different from tomatoes
The AKC says ripe tomatoes are considered non-toxic to dogs and can be given in moderation as an occasional snack. The risk with tomato sauce comes from everything added during cooking and canning.
According to the AKC, tomato-based products often contain garlic, onions, salt or sugar, which can be harmful or irritating to dogs. Sauces are also concentrated, so a spoonful carries more acid, salt and seasoning than the same amount of fresh tomato.
Reading the label on canned sauce
Plain canned tomato sauce is often seasoned with salt, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, spices and citric acid. The ASPCA warns that garlic and onion can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia, and that excess salt causes thirst and, in large amounts, salt toxicity.
Some products are labeled no-salt-added and list only tomatoes. Those are much lower risk, but they are still acidic and can upset a sensitive stomach. Ketchup, barbecue sauce and pizza sauce add sugar, vinegar, spices and often onion or garlic.
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.
My dog ate tomato sauce: what to do
Check the label for garlic, onion, salt and sweeteners, and estimate how much was eaten. A lick of sauce from a plate usually needs only watching for a mild upset over the next day.
Call your vet or a poison line if your dog ate a can or bowl of seasoned sauce, is small, or ate a sauce listing garlic or onion high in the ingredients. Do not make your dog vomit unless told to. Garlic and onion damage can take a few days to show.
Is any amount of tomato sauce okay?
A small lick of plain, no-salt tomato sauce with tomatoes as the only ingredient is unlikely to harm a healthy dog, but there is no reason to add sauce to your dog's food. Seasoned sauces should not be shared at all.
If you want to share tomato, use a small piece of ripe fresh tomato instead: under 20 lb, a cherry tomato cut into quarters; 20 to 50 lb, a couple of halves; over 50 lb, a few small pieces, occasionally.
Puppies and tomato sauce
Puppies are smaller and more sensitive to stomach upset, so acidic, salty sauces are more likely to cause vomiting or diarrhea, and any garlic or onion is a bigger dose for their body weight.
There is no need to give a puppy tomato sauce. If a puppy licked a plate, watch for an upset tummy, and call your vet if it ate more than a lick of a seasoned sauce.
Signs to watch for and when to call a vet
Mild stomach upset from acidic or salty sauce usually shows within a few hours as vomiting, diarrhea or drooling, and often settles within a day. Extreme thirst after a salty sauce is another sign to note.
Over the next few days after a garlicky sauce, watch for weakness, pale gums, fast breathing, a fast heart rate and dark or reddish urine. Go to a vet the same day for any of these, or for repeated vomiting or lethargy.
Safer alternatives
A piece of ripe fresh tomato, a spoonful of plain canned pumpkin or a few plain cooked vegetables such as green beans or carrots give your dog a taste of something new without the seasonings.
When you cook with tomato sauce, set aside a plain portion of any meat or pasta for your dog before the sauce is added, and keep the pan out of reach while it cools.
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 ketchup?
It is best not to share it. The AKC lists ketchup among tomato products to avoid, as it is high in sugar and salt and may contain onion powder. A lick is unlikely to hurt a large dog.
Can dogs eat pizza sauce?
No. Pizza sauce is usually seasoned with garlic, onion, oregano and salt. If your dog ate a slice of pizza, watch for stomach upset and call your vet if it ate a lot.
Can dogs eat plain canned tomatoes?
Plain canned tomatoes with no salt or seasoning are less risky than sauce, but they are acidic and may upset the stomach. A small piece of fresh ripe tomato is a better choice.
Can dogs eat tomato soup?
Most tomato soups contain onion, garlic, cream and salt, so they are not a good choice. Call your vet if your dog ate a bowl of tomato soup or seems unwell.
Is tomato sauce toxic to dogs?
The tomato is not toxic, but garlic and onion in many sauces can damage a dog's red blood cells. Check the label and call your vet if your dog ate a significant amount.
Sources we checked
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell or injured, contact your veterinarian.
