Is Tomato Plant safe for cats and dogs?
| Species | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Cats | Toxic |
| Dogs | Toxic |
Severity: Moderate
Read the full first-aid guide: what to do if your pet ate something toxic
Tomato is the single most-grown vegetable in American home gardens - Iowa State University Extension calls it the most popular vegetable crop in the home garden, and University of Illinois Extension puts it the same way, calling tomatoes the most popular garden vegetables in America. Both extensions note it's also a favorite for raised beds and patio containers when space is limited, which means a tomato plant is often growing at exactly dog height, right next to a patio door, all summer.
That matters because the plant itself isn't as safe as the fruit: ASPCA lists tomato plant as toxic to dogs and cats, with solanine concentrated in the leaves, stems and unripe green fruit causing hypersalivation, appetite loss, GI upset, weakness and a slowed heart rate - but ASPCA is explicit that ripe, red fruit is not toxic. In practice, a dog stealing a ripe tomato off the vine is fine; a dog chewing on the stems, leaves, or green tomatoes still on the plant is the actual concern. If that happens and your dog shows drooling, vomiting or unusual lethargy, ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) can advise on next steps - this is a milder, GI-level toxicity rather than a life-threatening one for a typical nibble.
Facts and examples
- Tomato is described as the most popular vegetable crop in the US home garden, well suited to raised beds and patio containers. (source, verified 2026-07-26)
- Tomatoes are the most popular garden vegetables in America; dwarf/container varieties are specifically popular for containers, hanging baskets, and space-limited patio locations. (source, verified 2026-07-26)
- Tomato plant toxic principle is solanine, concentrated in leaves/stems/green fruit; symptoms are hypersalivation, inappetence, severe GI upset, depression, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate; ripe fruit is non-toxic. (source, verified 2026-07-26)
Verdict re-verified against aspca.org, 2026-07-26 — confirmed unchanged. Source
This page is for general information only and is not veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your pet is showing symptoms, or you think they ate or touched something dangerous, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison-control hotline immediately.
Last verified 2026-07-26