Can Golden Retriever Eat Tomatoes? Yes, But Be Careful!

Golden Retrievers are some of the most popular dogs in the world, and they’re also notoriously friendly and eager to please. If you have a Golden Retriever, you probably know that they’ll eat just about anything you give them.

But with so many foods that humans can eat that dogs can’t, it’s hard to know what’s safe for your pup and what isn’t. Tomatoes are one of them.

Tomatoes are a delicious, nutritious fruit that is eaten in a variety of ways. Because tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, they are especially beneficial for humans. But can golden retrievers eat tomatoes? Keep reading to find out!

Are tomatoes safe for golden retrievers?

The short answer: YES. While we’ve heard rumors of certain breeds being sensitive to the nightshade family, which tomatoes are a part of, those rumors have not been substantiated by veterinarians or other trusted sources. So why do some people say that tomatoes are dangerous for dogs? We’re glad you asked!

The first thing to remember is that the leaves and stems of the tomato plant are poisonous. This is because they contain a chemical called solanine, which can cause stomach upset and heart problems in dogs if eaten. However, you don’t need to worry about feeding your dog tomatoes as long as you remove both the leaves and the stem before serving it. Because solanine doesn’t actually transfer from leaf to fruit, keeping them separate means your dog will get all the nutrients and none of the danger.

Tomatoes also have high levels of acidity—higher than most dogs’ stomachs can handle. If a dog eats a tomato with its leaves and stem still attached, they may vomit. If a dog eats too many tomatoes at once or over time, they may develop diarrhea or even acid reflux. To avoid this possibility, limit how many tomatoes your dog eat.

Long story short, the fruit part of the tomatoes are safe for golden retrievers to eat but not the green parts.

Benefits of tomatoes in golden retrievers

There are so many benefits to feeding tomatoes to your dog. Here are our favorites:

Potassium: Tomatoes provide plenty of potassium, which helps provide your dog with the nutrients it needs to maintain its fluid levels and promote healthy muscle contractions.

Antioxidants: Tomatoes have plenty of antioxidants in them, which help combat free radicals in your dog’s body and prevent diseases like cancer from taking root.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is important for vision health, and can help keep your dog’s eyesight sharp well into its senior years.

Vitamin K: Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone health. It also helps in the breakdown of glucose.

Soluble and insoluble fiber: Soluble fiber works with other nutrients to improve digestion, while insoluble fiber promotes regularity by moving things along through the digestive tract.

When are tomatoes bad for golden retrievers?

Like all fruits and vegetables, giving your dog tomatoes can have benefits—but it’s important to know the right amount, right kind, and right way to serve it.

If you have a golden retriever with underlying health issues, particularly allergies, watch out for excessive tomato intake. The same goes for feeding too much of any type of fruit or vegetable.

If you’re comfortable with the amount of fruit and vegetables your dog eats in a day and you’re sure they are healthy enough to eat tomatoes, it’s probably safe to give them a few as an occasional treat.

But wait! Remove all the green parts first (the stem, leaves, and sprouts). Not only that—make sure you remove the seeds as well. They contain alpha-tomatine, which can be toxic for dogs if eaten in large quantities. Alpha-tomatine is found in larger quantities in green parts (like stems), so removing those removes a lot of the risk.

Also keep in mind that processed tomatoes (like tomato sauce or ketchup) can be worse than raw tomatoes because they have more sugar in them than raw ones do.

How many tomatoes can golden retrievers eat?

Always consult with your vet first for best serving size and frequency.

You can give one large or two small ripe and red tomatoes as a treat. Start even small and monitor for any abnormal signs. The safest way is to start with one slice of tomato at the beginning and then increase the amount gradually as your golden retriever gets used to this new addition. Once they get used to it, you can give 1-2 slices per day as a treat.

Never overfeed tomatoes because excess intake can lead to some stomach issues like diarrhea and vomiting. In case if you see any symptoms, immediately stop feeding tomatoes to your golden retrievers and consult the vet before continuing it again.

Always follow‌ ‌the‌ ‌rule. Your golden retrievers need a complete balanced diet. All treats combinedly should not be over 10% of the total diet.

What happens when your golden retrievers eat too much tomatoes?

When a golden retriever eats too many tomatoes, they may experience:

Gastrointestinal upset

When golden retrievers eat too much tomatoes, they can experience gastrointestinal upset. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite.

Weakness

Besides gastrointestinal upset, golden retrievers who have eaten too many tomatoes may experience weakness. Their legs may shake when they try to stand or walk, and they may have trouble completing tasks like jumping into the car.

Tremors

Another symptom that golden retrievers may exhibit if they have eaten too many tomatoes is tremors. These tremors may be localized to a particular part of the body or generalized throughout the entire body.

Seizures

Eating too many tomatoes can lead to seizures in golden retrievers. A seizure is characterized by uncontrolled muscle movement and loss of consciousness, and it is important to seek medical attention immediately if your dog experiences a seizure after eating tomatoes.

Lack of coordination

Eating too many tomatoes can also cause a lack of coordination in golden retrievers. Their movements will appear haphazard and erratic as opposed to smooth and careful.

Abnormal heart rate

The heart rate may increase or decrease dramatically based on how severe the issue is, and this could lead to long-term damage or death if left untreated.

What to do if your golden retrievers eat too much tomatoes?

If your golden retrievers eat too much tomatoes, there are a few things you should do:

Get any remains of tomatoes away from your golden retrievers. If the tomatoes are still in the garden, pick them up and get rid of them immediately. If your pets have already consumed them, try to clean the food bowl or dishes as soon as possible to prevent any further consumption.

Don’t panic. If your golden retrievers have eaten too much tomatoes and showing signs of vomiting or diarrhoea, try to contact your vet for advice. Your vet will discuss the severity of the symptoms with you and further actions can be taken accordingly.

The situation could be serious if your dog has eaten a poisonous variety of tomatoes which contains solanine, a toxic substance that can affect the nervous system and lead to paralysis of the central nervous system.

Monitor if your golden retrievers showing any abnormal sign such as constipation, depression or lack of appetite. You should contact your vet immediately if you notice such sign or if they show no improvement within 24 hours after ingesting too much tomatoes.

Do all golden retrievers like tomatoes?

Unfortunately, no, your golden retrievers may not like tomatoes. Just like you or I may not like a specific food, golden retrievers also have food preferences and tomatoes may not be on your golden retriever’s “like” list.

If you are interested in feeding your golden retriever tomatoes, it is important to know that feeding them any human foods can be dangerous for their digestive track. Always speak with your veterinarian before introducing a new food to your golden retriever’s diet.

Can my golden retrievers have tomatoes every day?

There’s no rule on how often golden retrievers can eat tomatoes. If your golden retrievers like it, then yes, you can feed them the recommended amount of tomatoes every day. But we recommend you vary their treats because they can get bored with the same food daily.

Also, different treats contain different vitamins and minerals, so rotating treats is a good way to ensure that your golden retrievers are getting all the nutrients they need.

Can golden retrievers’ puppies eat tomatoes?

Golden retrievers are a popular breed among dog lovers for their luscious coats, playful nature, and happy demeanor. If you own a golden retriever puppy, or are thinking about getting one, you might wonder if it’s okay to feed your pup tomatoes.

We don’t recommend feeding tomatoes to golden retrievers puppies unless your vet approves it for certain reasons.

The main issue is that puppies have a delicate digestive system that is still developing, which means their bodies are not ready to handle all foods. Golden retriever puppies should be on specialized puppy diets during their first few months of life.

If your pup eats too many tomatoes at once, he or she may get sick and need medical attention. Vets recommend avoiding treats like these until the puppy is older (typically 9-12 months old) and has had all of his or her shots completed successfully.

If your vet approves of tomatoes in small amounts with every meal or snack, then there should be no problem feeding some tomato slices to your golden retriever.

How can I serve tomatoes to my retriever?

Dogs are omnivores, meaning that they eat both plants and animals. That means that tomatoes, a fruit technically (yes, fruit), can be a part of your retriever’s diet.

However, there are some key things to look out for when considering tomatoes for your retriever. First, make sure the tomatoes you’re using are organic and fresh, and that they’re bright red! Remove any of the green bits including the stem, leaves, and vines because those parts of the tomato plant contain solanine which is toxic to dogs. Wash the tomato well and then slice or chop it into bite-sized pieces (smaller pieces for smaller dogs please to avoid any choking hazards).

Tomatoes can be served raw or cooked down and mashed up or pureed. Cooked tomatoes can be even more beneficial because the antioxidant lycopene is more easily digestible. If you choose to cook tomatoes for your dog—or serve them cooked canned tomatoes—make sure that you don’t add any extra spices or salt!

To start, only offer your retriever a small amount of tomato to see how they react. If they don’t like it, or it doesn’t agree with their tummy, try another food instead.

Can I give my golden retriever tomato sauces and soups?

Tomato sauces and soups are bad for your golden retriever.

To keep your golden retriever happy, healthy, and full of energy, you need to make sure that you feed it the right things. Tomato sauces and soups are one thing that should always be avoided.

Why?

Well, these products are typically laden with sugar, salt, or onions which can be harmful to your golden retriever’s health. You should also avoid feeding your dog from jars or cans as this can further exacerbate the problem.

If you want to give your dog a healthy snack that both it and you will enjoy then consider giving it some sweet potato slices or carrots instead.

Find out if your golden retrievers can eat other treats

So, can golden retrievers eat tomatoes?

The short answer is yes—but only the ripe red part of the tomato. You’ll need to avoid any parts that aren’t red or are green, or any part of a tomato that isn’t ripe yet. The reason for this is that unripe tomatoes and any green parts contain high levels of solanine, which can be toxic to golden retrievers.

If your dog eats an unripe tomato, you might see signs of discomfort like vomiting or diarrhea. If you notice anything like this, contact your vet right away.