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Are Green Tomatoes Toxic to Dogs? Solanine and Tomatine Risks

PawAI Lab
7 min read

Learn why green tomatoes and tomato leaves and stems can be toxic to dogs due to solanine and tomatine, how to recognize the signs of exposure, and what a veterinarian may recommend after ingestion.

Quick Answer

Green, unripe tomatoes and the leaves and stems of the tomato plant can be toxic to dogs. They contain solanine and tomatine, glycoalkaloid compounds that are most concentrated in the green parts of the plant and in unripe fruit. Fully ripe red tomatoes are generally considered non-toxic in small amounts. If your dog ate green tomatoes or tomato leaves and stems, contact a veterinarian or animal poison-control service for guidance.

Before using any tool, contact a veterinary professional if your dog may have eaten green tomatoes or tomato plant parts.

  • US: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661)
  • UK: Animal PoisonLine (01202 509000) or your nearest veterinary emergency clinic
  • Canada: ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661)
  • AU: Animal Emergency Centre or your regular vet
  • EU: Contact your nearest veterinary emergency service

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Safety Verdict

Toxic (when unripe or green). Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family, and their green parts contain solanine and tomatine, glycoalkaloid compounds that can be toxic to dogs. The hazard is tied to unripe green tomatoes and to the leaves, stems, and vines of the plant. Fully ripe red tomatoes contain only very small amounts of these compounds and are generally considered non-toxic in small amounts, but the green fruit and plant parts carry the concern.

What Makes Green Tomatoes Hazardous

The risk from green tomatoes comes from glycoalkaloids, a group of naturally occurring compounds that includes solanine and tomatine:

  • Where they concentrate: Solanine and tomatine are found in the highest amounts in the green parts of the tomato plant, including the leaves, stems, and vines, and in unripe green tomatoes. Levels drop sharply as the fruit ripens and turns red.
  • What they do: These compounds can irritate the digestive tract and affect the nervous system, which is why signs may involve both gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms.
  • What is generally safe: Fully ripe red tomatoes, served plain and in small amounts, are generally considered non-toxic to dogs. Added ingredients such as salt, oils, garlic, or onions can introduce separate risks.

Because glycoalkaloid levels can vary, it is not possible to predict a reliably safe amount of green tomatoes or tomato plant parts.

What Should the Owner Do Now?

  1. Contact a veterinarian or animal poison-control service if your dog ate green tomatoes or tomato leaves, stems, or vines. Solanine and tomatine can affect the nervous system, so professional guidance matters.
  2. Note what was eaten. Was it green unripe fruit, or leaves and stems from the plant? This information helps the veterinary team assess risk.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison-control professional directly instructs you to do so.
  4. Do not give food, milk, salt, charcoal, or any home remedy. These are not proven treatments and may worsen the situation.
  5. Follow the veterinarian's instructions regarding examination or supportive care.

If your dog ate only a small piece of fully ripe red tomato, the risk is generally lower, but a veterinarian can confirm whether any follow-up is needed.

What Signs May Occur?

Solanine and tomatine can affect both the gastrointestinal tract and the nervous system, and signs may develop within a few hours of ingestion. Not every dog will show every sign, and severity can vary.

Gastrointestinal signs may include:

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain or tenderness
  • Reduced appetite
  • Drooling

Neurological signs may include:

  • Lethargy or weakness
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Wobbliness or uncoordinated movement
  • Tremors

The absence of early signs does not necessarily rule out risk, so it is important to follow veterinary guidance even if your dog appears well at first.

What Information Should Be Ready?

When you contact a veterinarian or poison-control service, having the following details available can help them assess the situation more efficiently:

  • Dog's details: species, breed, approximate age, and body weight
  • Part of the plant eaten: green unripe tomatoes, ripe red tomatoes, or leaves, stems, or vines
  • Estimated amount: best guess of the quantity ingested
  • Time of ingestion: when the exposure occurred, or the window of time during which it may have happened
  • Current symptoms: any vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, confusion, or tremors
  • Medical history: any pre-existing conditions, current medications, or other health concerns

Provide honest estimates rather than precise numbers. The veterinary team can work with approximate information to determine the best course of action.

Differences That May Affect Risk

Green tomato risk in dogs is influenced by several factors, but none of them allow for a reliable prediction of outcome:

  • Ripeness: Green, unripe tomatoes and plant parts contain the highest glycoalkaloid levels, while fully ripe red tomatoes carry far less.
  • Part of the plant: Leaves, stems, and vines are more concerning than ripe fruit.
  • Amount eaten: Larger ingestions may carry greater risk, but even smaller amounts of green plant parts can be concerning.
  • Body size: Smaller dogs may be at greater risk from a given amount, because dose relative to body weight matters.
  • Individual health: Dogs with existing gastrointestinal or neurological conditions may be more sensitive.

Because of these variables, any known ingestion of green tomatoes or tomato plant parts should be discussed with a veterinarian.

When to Contact a Veterinarian

Contact a veterinarian or animal poison-control service if your dog has eaten green tomatoes or tomato leaves, stems, or vines. Do not wait for symptoms to appear if a meaningful amount was consumed.

Emergency signs that require urgent veterinary attention include:

  • Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
  • Lethargy, weakness, or collapse
  • Confusion, wobbliness, or tremors
  • Abdominal pain or refusal to eat

Non-urgent follow-up: If your dog ate only a tiny amount of ripe red tomato and appears well, a veterinary call can confirm whether monitoring at home is appropriate. For green tomatoes or plant parts, an examination may be recommended even if signs are not yet present.

FAQ

Are ripe red tomatoes safe for dogs?

Fully ripe red tomatoes, served plain and in small amounts, are generally considered non-toxic to dogs. The concern is specifically the green parts of the plant and unripe green tomatoes, which contain higher levels of solanine and tomatine. Tomatoes prepared with salt, garlic, onions, or oils may pose a risk from those added ingredients.

What part of the tomato plant is toxic to dogs?

The leaves, stems, and vines of the tomato plant contain the highest levels of solanine and tomatine, as do unripe green tomatoes. These are the parts that can be toxic to dogs. Ripe red fruit contains only very small amounts of these compounds and is generally considered non-toxic in small amounts.

How much green tomato is dangerous for a dog?

There is no single reliably safe amount, because glycoalkaloid levels vary between plants and concentrate in the green fruit and plant parts. For this reason, any ingestion of green tomatoes or tomato leaves and stems should be discussed with a veterinarian rather than estimated at home.

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Disclaimer

This article and the PawAI Toxicity Checker provide general safety information and cannot determine an individual pet's toxicity risk or replace a veterinarian or animal poison-control service. If exposure may have occurred, contact an appropriate professional promptly, even if your pet appears well.