You may find your dog eating the food you left uncovered. But not all human food is safe for dogs.
If you have cherry or grape tomato plants in your garden, you may be wondering if they are safe to feed your dog.
Can Dogs Eat Cherry Tomatoes and Grape Tomatoes?
Dogs can eat cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes, but only in moderation. For dogs, it’s not the size of the tomatoes that matters, but how they eat them and how much.
Dogs shouldn’t be given green tomatoes or other parts of the plant, since they can cause stomach discomfort if they eat them.
Let’s find out if dogs can eat both.
Cherry tomatoes:
The cherry tomato is a small, round tomato shaped almost like a cherry. These bite-sized tomatoes are used in salads and pasta dishes.
As long as you watch over the quantity, cherry tomatoes are safe for dogs to consume.
Too much of any type of tomato can cause discomfort, but if given in moderation, tomatoes can benefit your pet.
Tomatoes are high in fiber, which is good for digestion. They also contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are good for the growth and function of cells.
Some dogs love the meaty and crunchy texture of cherry tomatoes. Also, these tomatoes have the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity that can be very tasty to eat.
Grape tomatoes:
As their names suggest, grape tomatoes are oval-shaped and a bit longer than cherry tomatoes.
Many people have difficulty distinguishing between cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes as both are small and sweet.
In the same way as cherry tomatoes and other types of tomatoes, you should only give your dog red, ripened grape tomatoes and not any other parts of the plant.
Grape tomatoes are similar to cherry tomatoes in terms of their benefits.
The immune and digestive systems can be boosted by moderate consumption of cherry and grape tomatoes.
You should only let your dog eat grape tomatoes as snacks because of their crunchy texture.
Even though tomato poisoning is rare, you wouldn’t want to do anything that can harm your dog in anyway, so you should occasionally give him some tomatoes to eat.
Is It Safe For Dogs To Eat Cherry Tomatoes And Grape Tomatoes?
It is considered safe for dogs to eat both cherry and grape tomatoes. Tomatoes in general are not unsafe for dogs if given in moderation.
Due to their small size, both cherry and grape tomatoes can cause sudden choking if your dog gulps them down.
Tomato leaves, roots, and any other green parts of tomato plants are toxic to dogs’ digestive systems.
Make sure you give your dog only red and ripened cherry and grape tomatoes.
You can also cut the tomatoes in half to avoid the risk of choking. If your dogs have trouble chewing the skin, you can mash them slightly to make them easier to chew.
How Much Cherry And Grape Tomatoes Can A Dog Eat?
Green and ripe tomatoes contain solanine and tomatine, which are toxic to dogs, but ripe tomatoes have very little tomatine and solanine.
As a result, you shouldn’t worry about your dog’s stomach if you feed them ripe cherry tomatoes and grape tomatoes in moderation.
To avoid any unwanted situations, it is recommended that you give your dog only two cherry or grape tomatoes per week. Frequent consumption of tomatoes is not advised.
Any new food should be introduced after consulting your dog’s vet if he has any health complications.
When you feed your dog tomatoes for the first time, it may be wise to reduce the amount even more. That way, you can monitor his health and see if he experiences any problems.
If your dog shows any sign of discomfort after eating tomatoes, you should stop feeding him immediately and consult your veterinarian.
What Happens If My Dog Eats Cherry And Grape Tomatoes?
Unless your dog has an allergy to tomatoes or is already suffering from gastrointestinal issues, occasional consumption of cherry and grape tomatoes should be fine.
Despite tomato poisoning being very rare for dogs, if your dog eats too many tomatoes or accidentally eats the plant or unripened tomatoes, any of the following symptoms should be alarming and require veterinary attention.
Gastrointestinal issues:
An upset stomach, diarrhea, and vomiting can occur after eating too many tomatoes.
Loss of coordination:
Inflammation and internal problems might be the cause of a dog’s loss of coordination after eating tomatoes.
Muscle weakness:
In addition to muscle weakness, tomato poisoning can cause the dog to look weak and find it difficult to walk.
Appetite loss:
The loss of appetite in dogs can be caused by many reasons. It is often accompanied by abdominal pain. Dogs suffering from stomach discomfort may refuse to eat anything.
Irregular heartbeats:
Take your dog to a veterinarian without delay if you notice that your dog has irregular heartbeats.
In addition to lethargy, tremors, seizures, hyperventilation, and dilated pupils, tomato poisoning can also lead to other symptoms.
In any case, you should consult a veterinarian to ensure your pet’s comfort.
What Is The Best Way To Prepare Cherry And Grape Tomatoes For Dogs?
If you want to feed grapes and cherry tomatoes to your dogs, you have to make sure you do it correctly. Let’s find out how you can do that.
Leaves, roots, and vines should be removed:
Dogs should not be fed green, unripened tomatoes or green parts of tomato plants.
First, remove all the leaves, roots, and vines from the cherry or grape tomatoes. Pick only ripe, red tomatoes.
Rinse the tomatoes well:
If you produce the tomatoes yourself, it’s fine. But if you purchase them, they might have been sprayed with pesticides and herbicides.
It is advisable to buy tomatoes that are free of these chemicals, but if you want to be on the safe side, you should wash and clean them well with fresh water. This will help to remove any dirt and chemicals.
Cut the tomatoes in half:
Rather than giving your dog cherry or grape tomatoes whole, you should cut them in half first and then give them to him.
In this way, your dog will be able to eat them easily.
Prepare the sauce, soup, or puree:
The best way to feed your dog tomato is as a puree, soup, or sauce. You should prepare these yourself so you know what is going on.
If you prepare your dog’s food with tomatoes, avoid adding salt, sugar, and other spices that are unhealthy for them. Store-bought food can contain ingredients and additives that may be unsafe for them.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the quantity:
Even though ripe tomatoes are safe to eat, too much of them can cause discomfort to your dog. You should feed them occasionally as snacks or treats.
Conclusions
Dogs can eat cherry and grape tomatoes but only ripe ones and not any other parts of the plant. Additionally, you must feed them in moderation.
Frequent consumption of tomatoes can make your dog uncomfortable. Cherry and grape tomatoes can be given to your dog as snacks occasionally.