No, dogs should not eat tomato leaves. The leaves and stems of tomato plants contain natural toxins that can make dogs sick. Important warning: even small amounts may cause digestive upset or more serious symptoms so dogs should not be allowed to chew on tomato plants.
Last updated:
March 24, 2026
The table below highlights the key nutrients found in this food and how they may impact your dog’s health. Nutritional values can help determine whether a food is beneficial, should be fed in moderation, or is best avoided.
Tomato plants belong to the nightshade family and parts of the plant contain natural toxins that are harmful to dogs. While ripe tomatoes are generally considered safer in small amounts the leaves and stems contain higher levels of toxic compounds. Dogs that chew on garden plants may accidentally ingest these parts. It is safest to keep dogs away from tomato plants and remove plant debris from areas where they spend time.
Important: We do our best to ensure the information on this page is accurate and based on reputable animal health sources. However, this website is intended for general informational purposes only and the content has not been individually reviewed or approved by a veterinarian.
Every dog is different and reactions to foods can vary. If you have concerns about your dog’s diet or health, it is always best to speak with a qualified veterinarian.
If you believe any information on this page is incorrect or outdated, please let us know via our Contact Us page so we can review and update it.
Here are answers to some of common questions that dog owners ask about this food's safety and nutrition
Dogs should not eat tomato leaves every day or at any time. The leaves and stems of tomato plants contain natural toxins that can cause digestive upset and neurological symptoms in dogs. While small amounts of ripe tomato fruit are sometimes tolerated the plant itself is not safe. To protect your dog it is best to prevent access to tomato plants and remove fallen leaves from the garden.
Dogs should not eat any amount of tomato leaves. Even small quantities may contain enough plant toxins to upset a dog’s stomach or cause other symptoms. The level of toxicity can vary depending on the plant and the amount eaten. Because there is no safe serving size veterinarians recommend treating tomato leaves as a toxic food for dogs.
If your dog eats tomato leaves remove any remaining plant material and monitor them closely. Contact your veterinarian if you notice symptoms such as vomiting, drooling, weakness, or unusual behaviour. Providing details about how much plant material may have been eaten can help the vet assess the situation. Early advice from a veterinarian is the safest approach if exposure occurs.
Puppies are naturally curious and may chew on plants while exploring the garden. Tomato leaves can expose them to solanine and tomatine which may upset their stomach or affect the nervous system. Because puppies are smaller even a small amount of plant material may cause noticeable symptoms. Puppy owners should keep tomato plants fenced or out of reach and remove fallen leaves so young dogs do not accidentally eat them.
Small dogs are more sensitive to toxins found in tomato leaves because the dose relative to body weight is higher. A small amount of plant material can lead to vomiting or weakness more quickly than in larger dogs. Small breeds also tend to explore garden beds where tomato plants may grow. Keeping plants out of reach and supervising dogs outdoors helps reduce the risk of accidental ingestion.
Senior dogs may have a harder time processing plant toxins due to age related changes in organ function. If an older dog eats tomato leaves they may develop digestive upset or weakness that takes longer to recover from. Older dogs also tend to have more sensitive stomachs which can make plant toxins more irritating. Preventing access to tomato plants is the safest way to protect senior dogs.
For overweight dogs the main concern with tomato leaves is toxicity rather than calories. Eating plant material that contains solanine or tomatine can cause digestive upset and other symptoms regardless of a dog’s weight. Overweight dogs may already have underlying health conditions which could make recovery more difficult if poisoning occurs. Keeping tomato plants out of reach is the safest approach.
Tomato leaves contain glycoalkaloids including solanine and tomatine. These compounds are present in many plants from the nightshade family and act as natural pesticides for the plant. When dogs ingest tomato leaves these chemicals can irritate the digestive system and interfere with normal nerve function. Higher doses may lead to more severe symptoms affecting the nervous system which is why dogs should not eat any part of the tomato plant other than small amounts of ripe fruit.
