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A weight loss program crammed with vegetables and fruit can assist to decrease blood stress, scale back the chance of coronary heart illness and stroke, and even decrease the chance of eye and digestive issues.
With that many advantages, some pet house owners could also be hoping to cross them alongside to their dogs. But is it protected to feed dogs tomatoes?
The brief reply is sure.
Here’s a have a look at how you can safely feed your canine tomatoes, in addition to their dietary advantages to your pup.
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Can Dogs Eat Tomatoes?
In normal, most fruits are protected to share along with your furry companion, and that features tomatoes.
“Ripe tomatoes are safe for dogs to eat in moderation,” says Dr. Joshua Rosen, D.V.M., medical director at Bond Vet in Merrick, New York. “They are a good source of vitamins and antioxidants and can help promote digestive health.”
However, it’s essential to keep away from feeding dogs unripened or inexperienced tomatoes, says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, D.V.M., veterinary medical advisor for Rover.
“Unripened green tomatoes, as well as the green parts of the plant, including stems and leaves, have a greater concentration of naturally occurring chemicals called tomatines and solanines, which can be toxic,” notes Greenstein.
Can Puppies Eat Tomatoes?
Puppies can even safely eat tomatoes. But Rosen advises canine house owners to seek the advice of their veterinarian earlier than introducing new meals to their puppy.
“They can help you determine if tomatoes are right for your puppy and can provide you with individualized feeding recommendations,” Rosen says.
Greenstein provides house owners ought to remember that puppies do have an “immature gut and sensitive stomachs.”
“I am always hesitant to recommend offering exotic treats to puppies when it strays outside their main diet and their main primary treat source,” Greenstein says.
How Many Tomatoes Can a Dog Eat?
Moderation is essential with regards to giving treats to your canine, together with wholesome choices like vegetables and fruit.
“Think of tomatoes as an occasional snack, rather than a replacement for a meal,” Greenstein says. “To avoid creating nutritional imbalances, treats like tomatoes should represent a maximum 10% of your dog’s caloric intake for the day.”
A tomato slice or cherry tomato a couple of occasions every week is ok, says Dr. Preston Turano, D.V.M., veterinarian and spokesperson with Figo Pet Insurance.
“If you are making a salad and want to give your dog a slice or two as a treat that is fine. One or two cherry tomatoes would be fine as well,” Turano says. “Moderation is the key and start with small amounts to make sure they tolerate the new treat.”
How to Safely Feed Tomatoes to Dogs
Owners ought to solely feed their canine ripe tomatoes which were washed and reduce into items.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), pesticides are extensively used to regulate pests throughout meals manufacturing. Although the USDA says these chemical compounds are protected, tomatoes ought to be washed off earlier than giving them to your canine. Owners also needs to take away all inexperienced components of the tomato, together with the stem and leaves.
“To reduce the risk of choking on smaller tomatoes like grape or cherry tomatoes, it’s wise to cut them in half into smaller bite-sized pieces,” Greenstein says.
Are Tomatoes Good for Dogs?
Small quantities of tomatoes are a protected and nutritious snacking possibility for dogs.
Health Benefits of Tomatoes for Dogs
Tomatoes should not solely a tasty deal with to your canine, however in addition they present coronary heart and digestive vitamins.
One cup of uncooked, grape tomatoes contains the next vitamins, based on the USDA:
- 3.19 grams of fiber
- 16.7 mg of calcium
- 0.5 mg of iron
- 41.3 mg of vitamin C
- 395 mg of potassium
- 18.1 mg of magnesium
Here are a couple of extra the reason why tomatoes are good for dogs:
Antioxidants
Tomatoes are a wealthy supply of antioxidants, which assist shield cells from harm attributable to free radicals. These antioxidants could play a job in lowering the chance of power illnesses equivalent to most cancers and coronary heart illness.
Fiber
Tomatoes comprise each soluble and insoluble fiber, that are helpful for digestive well being. Soluble fiber helps regulate blood sugar ranges and promotes the expansion of wholesome intestine micro organism, whereas insoluble fiber provides bulk to stool and prevents constipation.
Potassium
Tomatoes are a great supply of potassium, a necessary mineral that maintains muscle operate, nerve signaling and fluid stability.
Vitamin C
Tomatoes are a wealthy supply of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps immune operate, collagen manufacturing and wound therapeutic.
Vitamin Okay
Tomatoes comprise vitamin Okay, which is crucial for blood clotting and bone well being.
Other Fruits Dogs Can Eat
Fruits are a wholesome and nutritious snack for dogs that may increase their immunity, assist metabolic operate and can assist dogs keep a wholesome weight. They are additionally an amazing substitute for high-calorie pet treats.
There are all kinds of fruits that are each protected and helpful to present your canine, together with:
- Apples (take away the seeds and core)
- Bananas (carefully)
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Mangos (with out the pores and skin or pit)
- Oranges (in small quantities)
- Watermelon (take away the seeds and rind)
- Cantaloupe (take away the seeds and rind)
- Cranberries
- Peaches (with out the pit)
- Pears (take away the seeds)
- Raspberries
- Cucumbers
- Pineapple
It’s all the time finest to chop up more durable fruits into smaller, bite-size items, in addition to take away any seeds, core, stem and peel.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can dogs eat uncooked tomatoes?
Dogs can eat ripe tomatoes from the backyard or retailer so long as they’re correctly washed and the leaves and stems are eliminated.
Can dogs eat tomato sauce?
Dogs mustn’t eat tomato sauce.
“These often contain other ingredients like garlic and onion, which are toxic to dogs,” says Dr. Preston Turano, D.V.M., veterinarian and spokesperson with Figo Pet Insurance.
Tomato sauce may also be excessive in sodium, which might result in opposed well being reactions.
Can dogs eat cherry tomatoes?
Dogs can safely eat cherry tomatoes, however given their small dimension, it’s often safer to chop them into smaller items to forestall the canine from choking on them.
Can dogs eat tomato soup?
Dogs mustn’t eat tomato soup.
“Tomato soups often have onions, garlic or powdered versions of these ingredients, which can be toxic,” says Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, D.V.M., veterinary medical advisor for Rover. “They can also contain cream and spices which can lead to [gastrointestinal] upset, so tomato soup is best kept for humans.”
Can dogs eat cooked tomatoes?
Dogs mustn’t eat cooked tomatoes, particularly if they arrive from a can. Canned tomatoes are sometimes excessive in sodium and different chemical components.
“The only cooked tomatoes I would consider would be pure, plain and homemade,” Greenstein says.
