Can Cats Eat Tomatoes?

Whether in a sandwich or a salad, cooked or raw, for breakfast, lunch or dinner, there’s no end to the ways we can enjoy tomatoes as part of our diet. 

But, what about our feline friends — can cats have tomatoes? 

They’ve no doubt watched you tuck into a BLT but are they eyeing up the bacon or do they fancy trying a bite of the tomato?  

Well, in this case, your cat would probably prefer the bacon but they can eat tomato. There are just a few things to consider before giving them one. 

Cats and tomatoes — do they go together? Yes, cats can eat tomatoes.

But, it isn’t always advised. That’s because tomatoes must be red and ripe before being fed to your cat — cats should never eat an unripe green tomato as it can be incredibly toxic to them. 

Can cats eat the tomato stems or leaves?

No, the leaves and stems (as well as unripe, green tomatoes) are not safe for cats to eat. So, are tomato plants toxic to cats? Yes. These green parts contain solanine which is toxic to cats. Tomatoes are part of the nightshade family, all of which contain similar toxins.

If you think your cat has eaten some of the green parts of a tomato plant, including unripe tomato flesh, they must be seen by a vet as soon as possible. 

Signs of tomato poisoning to look out for include: 

• Lower appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Tremors 
• Dilated pupils
• Behavior changes
• Drooling

While red, ripe tomatoes are safe for cats to eat, green, unripe tomatoes are toxic to them. If they eat anything they shouldn’t, they need to be seen by a vet immediately. Browse and compare the best pet insurance plans to make sure you are covered for veterinary treatment.

Tomatoes are bad for cats before they are ripe. All the green parts of a tomato pose a danger to them and so you may choose to avoid feeding them tomatoes completely just to be on the safe side. 

When deciding whether to feed your cat tomatoes, it’s also important to keep in mind that the tomatoes found in grocery stores are not always ripe, even if they are red. In the winter in North America, green tomatoes are picked and shipped green from Mexico and South America to maintain their firmness. 

They're then exposed to ethylene, a natural chemical that's helpful in growing tomato vines. While this practice results in red tomatoes that have a longer shelf life, the ethylene masks the fact that supermarket tomatoes may not be ripe tomatoes, and they may pose a risk to a cat. Ripe tomatoes will be firm with little give when squeezed or gently pressed. 

Why are tomatoes included in the ingredients for cat food?

You may have noticed that tomatoes are sometimes included in the ingredients for cat food. If eating them before they are fully ripe can be dangerous for cats, you might be wondering why this is. 

Many pet food manufacturers include seemingly nutritious ingredients in their products as fillers to help bulk up the food. Fillers are not necessary, can be unhealthy, and they may replace nutritious ingredients like real meat, fish, and poultry.

Also, including tomatoes in the formula could be seen as a marketing ploy aimed at convincing cat parents that the food is more nutritious than the competition.

Would your cat even want a tomato if you offered it to them? Cats may eat tomatoes because they are curious and intrigued to try it but it’s unlikely to become their favorite food. 

Remember, tomatoes come in a range of sizes from small cherry tomatoes to larger heirloom tomatoes and these can be sweet, tart or both. So, while they may appear to enjoy the taste of one, they may not like another. 

Do you have a wellness plan for your feline friend? This includes routine examinations which is the ideal time to take to your vet about your cat’s diet including what they can and can’t eat. 

If you think your cat has eaten some of the green parts of a tomato plant, including unripe tomato flesh, it’s critical to bring them in to see their vet or an emergency clinic as soon as possible. If you haven't seen them eat the plants, signs of a tomato poisoning may include:

• Lower appetite
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Tremors 
• Dilated pupils
• Behavior changes
• Drooling

Another fact to keep in mind is that the tomatoes found in grocery stores are not always ripe, even if they are red. In the winter in North America, green tomatoes are picked and shipped green from Mexico and South America to maintain their firmness. They're then exposed to ethylene, a natural chemical that's helpful in growing tomato vines.

While this practice results in red tomatoes that have a longer shelf life, the ethylene masks the fact that supermarket tomatoes may not be ripe tomatoes, and they may pose a risk to a cat. Ripe tomatoes will be a firm with little give when squeezed or gently pressed. 

Technically, kittens can eat tomatoes in the same way cats can, only when they are red and ripe. But, as they can be dangerous to cats when they are green and unripe it may be best to avoid feeding them to your kitten at all.

Cats need to eat meat and so they don’t really have enough health benefits to risk it. 

Like most fruit and vegetables, ripe tomatoes are packed with nutrients. However, for an obligate carnivore like a cat, whose natural diet consists only of meat, poultry, and fish protein, they deliver few benefits. 

A cat’s gastrointestinal system doesn’t have the specific enzymes needed to digest fruits and vegetables in a way that allows them to extract valuable nutrients. For instance, a cat can't convert the beta carotene in tomatoes into Vitamin A as other animals can. 

So, what do tomatoes provide for cats?

Digestive health: Tomatoes contain fiber and water, which are useful for their digestion and hydration. However, they can also get fiber and water from many other tasty plant food sources including spinach, pumpkin, green beans, and blueberries. 

Boost immune system: Minerals in tomatoes such as magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants can help boost your cat’s immune system and may prevent cancer. Pieces of tomato given as a treat are also lower calorie alternatives to commercial treats.

Make sure you’ve removed all parts of the plant other than the tomato itself — including stems and leaves. Ensure the tomato is red and ripe. It’s important that no part of it’s green or unripe. 

Once you have your tomato, ensure you wash it thoroughly and then cut off a couple of slices. 

You could chop or dice the slices and even cook them to make it easier for your cat to eat and digest it. 

If they like it, this can be given as a very occasional treat. They shouldn’t be given tomatoes as a regular part of their diet. Never give them tomatoes with any seasoning,  including garlic or onion.

Can cats eat tomato sauce?

Tomato sauce is safe for your cat to eat — if it’s made at home and contains no added ingredients. However, commercial versions of this product will contain flavor enhancers like salt, spices, sugar, onions, or garlic, so they’re not safe for cats. It's also impossible to know for sure that there are no stems or leaves present in a commercially made tomato product, or that the tomatoes were fully ripe when they were used. 

Can cats have tomato soup?

Again, if tomato soup is made at home with no added ingredients, your cat could eat it. But, otherwise, tomato soup contains many ingredients that are toxic to cats — including a large amount of salt — and so they shouldn’t eat it. 

Can cats eat ketchup? 

Cats can’t eat ketchup. It’s unhealthy for cats and contains a lot of ingredients (including garlic and onion powder) that are toxic to them so they can’t eat it. If your cat manages to lick a little ketchup up off your plate you don’t need to worry too much but if they eat more than that it can make them sick. 

You want your cat to enjoy the food they are eating but it’s also important to ensure it’s beneficial to their health. Check out our friends over at Cat Food Advisor to discover the best wet food and best dry food.