How Much Tomato Plant Will Make a Dog Sick?

Tomato plants are appealing to dogs since they love to sniff, chew, and consume anything that catches their attention. As a concerned pet owner, you might wonder if your furry friend can safely indulge in the garden-fresh, juicy tomato plants or if they are poisonous to your pet. This article will walk you through everything you need to know about tomato plants and their effect on dogs.

The Risks of Tomato Plants to Dogs

Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family, Solanaceae, which includes several other toxic plants. The tomato plant's leaves and stems contain the compound, solanine, which can pose a potential risk to dogs if ingested. Eating an excessive amount of solanine can trigger various symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, dizziness, and even seizures.

Moreover, tomato plants often come with fungicides or herbicides, which are toxic to dogs. Even treatment with pesticides and insecticides can drastically increase the toxicity of the tomato plant, leading to severe health issues in your pet.

The Tomatine Content in Tomato Plants

The tomatine content in tomato plants is another factor that affects the risk of toxicity in dogs. Tomatine is a toxic alkaloid found in the leaves and green fruits of tomato plants. The tomatine level in ripe tomatoes is typically low and not enough to cause any harm. However, the unripe, green tomatoes, leaves, and stems have higher levels of tomatine and are potentially toxic to your dog.

According to the ASPCA, the toxic dose of tomatine in dogs is approximately 0.5% of their body weight. This means that a dog weighing 20 pounds would need to consume around 3.5 ounces of green tomato plant parts or unripe tomatoes to experience serious health issues.

Signs of Tomato Plant Poisoning in Dogs

If your dog has ingested tomato plant parts or unripe tomatoes, you need to look out for the symptoms of tomato plant poisoning. Some of the common signs of this type of poisoning include:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Apathy or listlessness

Lack of appetite

Weakness

Changes in breathing rate

Dehydration

Seizures

If your dog experiences any of the above symptoms, it's crucial to seek immediate medical attention from a veterinarian.

Preventing Tomato Plant Poisoning in Dogs

The best way to prevent tomato plant poisoning in dogs is to keep them away from these plants. If you are growing tomatoes in your garden, ensure to fence them off or have a separate area that your dog can't access. Moreover, store unripe tomatoes out of reach in a secured area.

Training your dog to avoid toxic plants and providing them with enough food and toys can also help reduce destructive behavior towards your garden. If your dog still displays symptoms of poisoning and you suspect they have ingested tomato plant parts, reach out to a vet immediately to prevent further complications.

Conclusion

Tomato plants can be harmful to dogs if ingested in large amounts. The solanine and tomatine content in the leaves, stems, and green tomatoes can cause various symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and seizures. As a responsible pet owner, it's best to fence off your garden or secure tomato plants out of your dog's reach to prevent poisoning. If your dog shows any symptoms of tomato plant poisoning, seek immediate medical attention.