Toxic — skip

Can dogs eat tomato plants?

Dogs should not chew tomato plants. Leaves, stems, and green unripe tomatoes carry solanine and tomatine that can upset the gut and, in larger amounts, cause more serious signs. Ripe red tomato flesh is a different question—see our tomatoes page.

Not medical advice — general pet-safety info only. Confirm with your vet before changing your dog’s diet.

Updated Aug 8, 2026 Category Nutrition

Safer alternatives to tomato plants

Garden vines are not treats. These options stay out of the tomato patch.

Carrot dog treats

Crunchy carrot treats satisfy a chew urge without garden toxins.

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Natural dog treats

Simple ingredient treats beat scavenging garden clippings.

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Limited-ingredient dog treats

Short lists help when you want rewards without surprise seasonings.

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How much is okay?

Do not let dogs graze garden vines or compost piles with tomato trimmings.

Small under 20 lb
None
Keep it occasional and plainly prepared.
Medium 20–50 lb
None
Keep it occasional and plainly prepared.
Large 50+ lb
None
Keep it occasional and plainly prepared.

Rule of thumb: treats of all kinds should stay under ~10% of daily calories.

How to prepare them

  • Fence or block access to garden tomato plants.
  • Discard pruned leaves and stems in a secured bin.
  • If you grow tomatoes, pick ripe fruit before it falls where dogs forage.

Risks & exceptions

  • Green plant parts contain solanine and tomatine.
  • Dogs that chew vines may drool, vomit, or have diarrhea.
  • Large ingestions need veterinary guidance—do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Tomato plants and green fruit are not dog snacks; ripe tomato flesh is handled separately.

If your dog ate any

A larger portion or the wrong preparation is most likely to cause trouble.

  • Drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Loose stool

Call your vet / pet poison line if:

  • Weakness or tremors after plant chewing
  • Repeated vomiting
  • Known large ingestion of leaves or stems

Tomato plants contain solanine and tomatine. Contact your veterinarian or a pet poison hotline if your dog ate leaves, stems, or a large amount of green tomato.

FAQ

Can dogs eat tomato leaves?

No. Leaves and stems are the risky plant parts.

Are green tomatoes on the vine safe?

Skip them—unripe fruit still carries plant toxins.

My dog ate one cherry tomato off the plant—what now?

Ripe red fruit is different from chewing vines; call your vet if they ate leaves, stems, or many green ones.

Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from product links. Safety guidance is editorial and may change — verify with your veterinarian for your dog.