Tomatoes are a popular and healthy food that is used in many dishes like pasta sauce, pizza and tomato soup, but can cats eat tomatoes?
This is an important question because not only are certain human foods toxic for cats, but cats also obligate carnivores which means they do not require tomatoes as part of their daily diet.
So can cats eat tomatoes?, Are Tomatoes Toxic for Cats?, Can cats benefit from the nutritional values of a tomato in the same way a human can?
With the help of experts, veterinarians, and thorough research, we found the answers to all of the questions. Let’s dive right in.
Can Cats Eat Tomatoes?
This isn’t a straight forward answers and depends on a number of different variables. According to the ASPCA, ripe fruit such as tomatoes are safe for cats to consume in moderation. Cats should never eat commercial tinned tomatoes, as these may contain additional ingredients such as onion, garlic, and high levels of salt that can be harmful.
Unripe tomatoes, as well as the leaves and stems of a tomato plant should never be given to a cat. It contains something called solanine that is toxic to cats, dogs, and horses that can result in lethargy, stomach issues, and slower heart rate, if consumed.
Can Cats Eat Raw Tomatoes?
The ripe fruit of the plant appears to be safe for cats to consume, according on most specialists.
Don’t be concerned, since cats are unlikely to eat raw tomatoes because green tomatoes’ texture and flavor are unappealing to the majority of cats.
Can Cats Eat Tomato Sauce?
Although tomato sauce is made of ripe tomatoes, it’s the additional ingredients such as high levels of salt that can be the problem.
Tomato sauce can have an adverse reaction to the high levels of salt.
Too much salt could lead to health problems like dehydration and urinary tract issues in your feline friend, as well as seizures or even sodium ion poisoning.
The main problem is if the tomato sauce contains ingredients such as onions or garlic which can be toxic for cats.
Are Tomato Plants Poisonous to Cats?
Tomato plants are toxic to cats.
All parts of the tomato plant contain dangerous toxins that can cause your cat a lot of discomfort and even pose life-threatening dangers like low blood pressure or renal failure in extreme cases.
The immature fruit itself contains tomatine which can also lead to digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea for your feline friend.
Health Benefits of Tomatoes for Cats
Tomatoes are packed with a ton of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but do they provide the same nutritional values to cats as they do to humans.
A small (100-gram) raw tomato contains:
- Calories:Â 18
- Water:Â 95%
- Protein:Â 0.9 grams
- Carbs:Â 3.9 grams
- Sugar:Â 2.6 grams
- Fiber:Â 1.2 grams
- Fat:Â 0.2 grams
They help fight free radicals and support your cat’s immune system, which could be helpful in the case of food allergies or irritations like skin conditions leading to itching and scratching.
Tomatoes also contain a good amount of vitamin A that can reduce dry skin and promote healthy eyesight for your pet.
The carotenoids found in tomatoes (lutein and zeaxanthin) might even help prevent age-related macular degeneration later on down the road!
Make sure you remove all seeds from canned tomato products before allowing your feline friend to indulge since they may contain higher amounts of toxins due to processing techniques.
The Dangers Of Cats Eating Tomatoes
Her is when tomatoes can be a danger to your cat;
- Unripe Tomatoes: It doesn’t matter if it is in the garden or indoors, unripe tomatoes including the stems and leaves of the plant are toxic for cats.
- Additional Ingredients: Commercial or tinned tomatoes including sauces often contain additional ingredients such as onions, garlic, and high levels of salt that can be very detrimental to a cats health.
A cat consuming tomatoes in these forms can cause the following:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Allergic reaction
- Asthma attack
If a cat ingests the green parts of a tomato plant, these are the side-effects according to the ASPCA:
- Inappetence
- Hypersalivation
- Weakness
- Slow Heart Rate
- Confusion
- Severe Gastrointestinal Upset
Can Cats Be Allergic To Tomatoes?
A cat consuming any kind of new foods can trigger an allergic reaction, and tomatoes are no different.
Cats with food allergies may have symptoms such as:
- Hives
- Diarrhea
- Mild stomach discomfort
- Skin rashes and lesions
- Itchy or dry skin that leads to excessive scratching
- Rubbing up against objects in the home (furniture, carpeting)
- Hair loss.
- Redness around the base of the tail, rear end, abdomen/belly area along with constant paw licking
Can Cats Eat Fruit?
When it comes to fruit and cats, some fruits are fine for them to consume in small amounts, and other fruits should be completely avoided.
Here are some feline friendly fruits:
Fruits that you should never feed to your cat:
- Citrus (all citrus contains some level of citric acid, which can cause central nervous system issues in large enough doses; it causes stomach upset in smaller amounts, according to the ASPCA)
- Grapes/Raisins/Currants (toxic to cats, according to the ASPCA)
Can Cats Eat Tomatoes Conclusion
Cats are carnivores, but they can be given some fruits in moderation.
Tomatoes should not be one of them though, as cats cannot digest the plant’s toxins and it is dangerous to their health if ingested.
If your cat enjoys tomatoes on occasion or you have a child who likes feeding them to your pet, make sure there are no leaves left on the fruit when giving it to them.
Do you give your cat tomatoes? Let us know in the comments below.
