Can Cats Eat Tomatoes? Safety Guide & Toxicity Risks

Can Cats Eat Tomatoes?

Cats can eat ripe, red tomatoes in very small amounts, but some parts of the plant are toxic. Both the way you prepare tomatoes and the specific type you use matter for your cat’s health.

Raw Tomatoes vs Cooked Tomatoes

• Ripe, red tomatoes are usually safe for cats in small amounts. However, green or unripe tomatoes can be dangerous. The green stems and leaves of the tomato plant contain solanine, which is toxic to cats and can cause vomiting, lethargy, or worse if eaten.
• Cooking tomatoes does not always remove all toxins if the tomato is not ripe. If you use cooked tomatoes, make sure they come from ripe, red fruit and contain no leaves or stems. Also, avoid canned tomatoes or sauces with added garlic, onions, salt, or spices—these are unsafe for cats.
• Most commercial cat food does not contain tomato as a main ingredient because cats do not need it for health. If you feed your cat any tomato, it should be plain, with no seasoning or additives.

Safe Tomato Varieties for Cats

Only feed cats the red, ripe fruit from common tomato varieties, such as Roma, cherry, or beefsteak. These are the least likely to cause problems if offered in small portions. Do not give cats heirloom or specialty tomato types unless you are very sure they are ripe and safe.

Parts to avoid include:

• Green tomatoes
• Stems
• Leaves

These parts are all toxic. Always wash and cut the fruit, making sure all seeds, stems, and leaves are removed before serving. Even the smallest piece of green tomato or stem can be harmful to your cat’s health.

Recommended Serving Sizes

If you want to give your cat tomato, limit it to a very small piece (about the size of a pea). Cats do not need tomatoes in their diet and large amounts can cause stomach issues. They are obligate carnivores, so their bodies are built for meat, not plants.

Here is a quick guide for safe servings:

Cat Weight	Max Tomato Amount	Frequency
5-10 lbs	1 pea-sized cube	Occasionally
10-15 lbs	2 pea-sized cubes	Occasionally

Never offer tomato as a regular treat or meal. If your cat eats more than this, watch for signs of upset stomach or poisoning, such as drooling or weakness. If this happens, contact your vet quickly.

Nutritional Value of Tomatoes for Cats

Tomatoes contain some vitamins and minerals, but they do not supply nutrients that cats need in their daily diet. Unlike meats or dairy, tomatoes have little value for supporting your cat’s main nutritional requirements.

Macro and Micronutrient Content

• Tomatoes are made up mostly of water and have low protein and fat content, which are essential nutrients for cats. A medium tomato contains less than 1 gram of protein and very little fat.
• In terms of micronutrients, tomatoes have small amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and folate. Potassium supports nerve and muscle function, but cats usually get enough of it from quality cat food and protein sources like chicken, eggs, tuna, or cheese.
• While tomatoes also have fiber, cats do not rely on fiber as much as other animals. Most of their nutrition should come from animal-based proteins because they are obligate carnivores.

Nutrient	Tomato (per 100g)	Chicken (per 100g)	Commercial Cat Food (per 100g)
Protein	0.9g	27g	8-13g
Fat	0.2g	14g	3-7g
Carbohydrate	3.9g	0g	1-4g
Vitamin C	13.7mg	0mg	Varies
Potassium	237mg	256mg	Varies

Comparison with Common Cat Foods

• When you compare tomatoes to typical foods that cats eat—like chicken, tuna, eggs, or cheese—the differences are clear. Animal-based foods supply high levels of protein, fats, and amino acids, all of which help your cat’s body work properly.
• Commercial cat food is designed to give complete nutrition. It includes taurine, which is an amino acid that cats must get from animal sources. Tomatoes do not have taurine or the protein levels found in meat or eggs.
• If your cat eats tomatoes, it may fill up on food that has none of the nutrients cats truly need. By contrast, even small treats of cheese, tuna, or eggs are likely to give more value to your cat’s health.

Digestibility and Absorption

• Cats digest animal proteins and fats much more efficiently than plant-based foods like tomatoes. Their bodies are adapted for breaking down meat. The small amount of carbohydrates in tomatoes is not easily absorbed by cats, and can sometimes cause stomach discomfort.
• Fiber in tomatoes can pass through the digestive system without providing much benefit. Cats can’t use the vitamin C in tomatoes because their bodies make enough on their own.
• Most nutrients in tomatoes are either poorly absorbed or not needed by cats. Feeding tomatoes in place of protein-rich foods may lead to poor nutrition and potential health issues.

Potential Toxins in Tomatoes

Tomatoes and their plants are not harmless to cats. Certain parts contain natural chemicals that can cause poisoning or illness.

Solanine and Tomatine in Tomato Plants

• Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family. Both solanine and tomatine are natural toxins found in tomato plants. These are present in especially high amounts in unripe green tomatoes and in other green parts of the plant.
• Solanine and tomatine disrupt the normal function of the nervous system. Cats are more sensitive to these chemicals than people. Exposure can cause drooling, stomach pain, confusion, and sometimes a slow heart rate.
• Symptoms may appear if your cat chews on tomato plants or eats green tomatoes. Even a small amount could pose a risk in sensitive cats because their biology does not process these toxins well. These compounds do not break down much with cooking, so cooked plant parts can also be unsafe.

Risks of Tomato Leaves and Stems

• The leaves and stems of tomato plants have the highest concentrations of solanine and tomatine. These parts are far more dangerous for cats than the ripe tomato fruit. Cats who nibble on leaves or stems may show signs of poisoning such as tremors, diarrhea, vomiting, or weakness.
• If eaten, the chemicals from the leaves and stems can disrupt digestion, affect the nervous system, and damage organs. Some cats might only get an upset stomach, but in other cases, eating these parts could cause serious health issues. Veterinary care may be needed even for small amounts.
• To keep your cat safe, do not let them access outdoor tomato plants or any cuttings inside your home. Remove fallen leaves or trimmings right away.

Side Effects of Tomato Consumption

• Eating ripe, red tomato fruit is less risky, but it can still cause mild side effects in cats. Some cats may get an upset stomach after eating ripe tomato, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. Ripe tomatoes do not have high levels of solanine or tomatine, but they still may cause problems for sensitive cats.
• Unripe tomatoes and any product made with green tomatoes, as well as leaves or stems, are considered unsafe. Eating even small amounts of these could cause more severe digestive or neurological symptoms.
• If you see symptoms after your cat eats tomatoes or any part of the plant, call a vet right away. Some cats might need treatment to recover.

Symptoms of Tomato Toxicity in Cats

If your cat eats part of a tomato plant or an unripe tomato, it may experience a range of health effects. Tomato toxicity symptoms can range from mild stomach upset to more serious signs needing emergency care.

Mild Reactions

Mild symptoms usually happen if your cat eats a small amount of ripe tomato or brushes against the leaves and stems. Some of the most common mild signs include:

• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Mild stomach pain
• Lethargy
• Small changes in behavior

Most of these symptoms can appear within a few hours of eating the plant. Sometimes you might not see all the signs at once. You may also notice your cat not wanting to eat or seeming less active than usual. If you catch these signs early and prevent more exposure, many cats start to feel better soon.

Mild reactions often resolve on their own if the exposure is limited and your cat stays hydrated. However, even mild symptoms should be monitored to make sure they don’t get worse. Ripe tomatoes are less likely to cause problems than green tomatoes or the plant’s leaves, which contain higher levels of toxins like tomatine as explained here.

Severe or Emergency Symptoms

If your cat eats a large amount of tomato plant material, unripe tomatoes, or is sensitive to the toxins, you may see more serious signs. These symptoms can develop quickly and may threaten your cat’s health:

• Tremors or seizures
• Weakness or trouble walking
• Confusion or disorientation
• Slowed or irregular heart rate
• Dilated pupils
• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Collapse

A cat showing any of these signs needs immediate veterinary attention. The toxins found in green tomatoes and the plant’s leaves can impact the heart and nervous system according to WagWalking. Severe symptoms may last longer and become life-threatening without treatment. Quick action is important to give your cat the best chance of recovery. If possible, bring a sample of the plant your cat ate to show the veterinarian.

What to Do If Your Cat Eats a Tomato

If your cat eats tomato, quick action is important. The ripeness of the tomato and which part your cat ate can affect health and possible risks.

Immediate Steps for Pet Owners

If you notice your cat eating a tomato, try to figure out if it was ripe or unripe. Unripe tomatoes, along with tomato stems or leaves, have solanine, which is toxic to cats. Ripe tomatoes contain much less of this toxin but can still cause mild stomach upset in some cats.

Remove any leftover tomato or plant parts from your cat’s reach. Watch your cat closely for changes in behavior. Common symptoms of tomato toxicity include:

• Drooling
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite

Write down when your cat ate the tomato, what parts, and how much. Providing this information to your veterinarian can help with treatment if needed. Give your cat fresh water and try to keep them calm while you observe for symptoms.

When to Contact a Veterinarian

• Contact a veterinarian if your cat ate any unripe tomato, stem, or leaf. These parts have higher levels of solanine, a toxic compound which can lead to serious health issues. Call your vet right away if your cat starts to vomit, have diarrhea, act weak, or show signs of pain.
• Even if your cat only ate ripe tomato and seems fine, keep watching for at least 24 hours. Some reactions may be delayed. If your cat already has health problems, is very young, or elderly, reach out to your veterinarian sooner. Treatment will depend on how much and which part was eaten.
• A veterinarian may ask you to bring your cat in for an exam if your cat shows symptoms. Quick and clear communication with your vet provides the best chance for a healthy outcome.