Tomato Plant Poisoning in Cats

Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 02/12/2017Updated: 07/27/2022
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Tomato Plant Poisoning in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Tomato Plant Poisoning?

The scientific name of the tomato plant is Lycopersicon spp and it resides in the Solanaceae family. If you see your cat eating the leaves or stems of a tomato plant, get him to your vet right away.

While humans can easily eat tomatoes, substances in the stems and leaves of the tomato plant are toxic for some animals if eaten in large amounts. The tomato plant contains αlpha‐tomatine and αlpha‐dehydrotomatine, which are potentially toxic for your cat. If they nibble on tomato plants, they may develop signs of illness. Fortunately for your cat, tomato plant poisoning isn’t typically fatal, but can cause uncomfortable symptoms.

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Symptoms of Tomato Plant Poisoning in Cats

You’ll notice the following symptoms after your cat has eaten from a tomato plant:

Causes of Tomato Plant Poisoning in Cats

Tomato plant poisoning in cats is caused by ingesting toxins within green parts of the plant and/or the unripe fruit, including alpha‐tomatine and alpha‐dehydrotomatine.

Cats who are bored and have easy access to tomato plants are at higher risk of poisoning, due to their increased likelihood of eating the plants out of curiosity.

Diagnosis of Tomato Plant Poisoning in Cats

When your cat gets sick, you may find evidence that he ate from a tomato plant in your yard. Take a sample from your tomato plant with you to the vet to help confirm a diagnosis.

If your cat is in pain or drooling, the vet will examine their mouth and lips to look for irritation. Your vet may also take a blood sample for testing, or a urine sample to test for your cat’s kidney function. 

If your cat ate a large amount of your tomato plant, your vet may decide to run an ECG to test their heart function. Fecal and vomitus samples may also help your vet to narrow down the exact toxin making your cat sick.

Treatment of Tomato Plant Poisoning in Cats

The treatments your vet gives to your cat will be based on their symptoms, giving support to your cat until they begin to improve.

Reducing toxins

If your cat ate a large amount of tomato plant, the vet may induce vomiting, using a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Once that process is over, any remaining toxins may be neutralized with activated charcoal.

Supportive care

If your cat has become dehydrated, the vet will offer electrolyte and fluid replacements with intravenous solutions. Your cat’s breathing may be depressed, making supplemental oxygen necessary. If they are experiencing cardiac symptoms, the vet may give a vasopressor to correct this issue. A large ingestion of tomato plant can also lead to convulsions for your cat. If this happens, your cat could receive diazepam or other anti-seizure medication such as Propofol. 

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Recovery of Tomato Plant Poisoning in Cats

Bringing your cat to the vet after they have eaten any part of your tomato plant is the most prudent thing to do. This, in combination with eating only a small part of the plant, means their symptoms should be fairly mild. After all of the toxins are out of their system, they should make a full recovery.

It may be difficult for you to keep your cat away from vegetable plants you grow for your family. If you can’t remove the plant, you may need to retrain your cat to live indoors 24/7. While they'll have to make an adjustment, your cat will be safer and happier living indoors.

Make the adjustment to living indoors easier by buying cat-friendly plants and cat grasses that you can grow from a small kit. Once these have sprouted, place them in different areas of your house for your cat to nibble on.

Tomato poisoning can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection you’ll have from unexpected vet costs.

Tomato Plant Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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tortishell

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Mimz

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12 Months

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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
None
My 12 mo old cat just ate some of some of my tomato plant. I am myself ill & have no way to get her to a vet, nor do I have the means. If she shows signs of being poisoned is there anything I can do for her at home? She is already obese because if she doesn't get to eat when she wants eats foreign objects & flower petals, &, of course just now, tomato plant. Both my cats are apartment cats. However, since I'm on the 6th floor I've put up a lattice to enclose the balcony so they get free access to "outdoors". They truly love this and it has enriched their lives a lot. I had looked up a list to toxic plants to cats but tomato wasn't on the list. I don't know what to do about the baby's enormous appetite. There are no fleas & no signs of tapeworms. She was a "refugee" from Hawaii, if that helps. Thank you

June 1, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

Tomato plants aren't good for cats to eat, and can cause GI upset - if you see Mimz salivating, not wanting to eat, or vomiting, then you may need to find a way to get her to a veterinarian, as there aren't any home care remedies for that. She may be fine if she chewed on a small amount. It might be a good idea to talk with your veterinarian at her next wellness visit about her weight and appetite, as there are prescription foods made to keep weight off of indoor cats.

June 1, 2018

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mixed

dog-name-icon

Willie

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12 Years

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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
None Visible
I had a small tomato plant that died before it produced any fruit. I had brought it inside and I think my cat may have ate some of the dead leaves. He seems to be acting normally.He's eating and moving around like usual. He is about 12 years old and is average weight. He us currently an indoor cat only right now since I live in an apartment. Not sure what other information to add but I can provide more if needed.

April 17, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

1 Recommendations

Willie may not have gotten any of the toxin from the plant if the leaves were dead, but I would still be concerned. I'm not sure when he ate the leaves or what time frame has passed, but it would be best to monitor him closely for vomiting, diarrhea, inappetance, drooling, or lethargy, and have him examined right away if he displays any of those signs. I hope that all goes well for him.

April 17, 2018

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