No. Dogs should not eat tomato stems. The stems contain solanine and tomatine which are natural plant toxins that can irritate a dog’s digestive and nervous system. Even small amounts may cause stomach upset so the stems should always be removed before offering tomatoes to dogs.
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 stems and leaves are part of the tomato plant that naturally produce defensive toxins. Dogs should never eat these parts of the plant. Only ripe tomato flesh is considered potentially safe in small amounts. Always remove stems, leaves and any green sections before offering tomato to a dog. Garden plants can also pose a risk because curious dogs may chew on stems growing on the vine. If you grow tomatoes at home supervise your dog around the plants.
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Here are answers to some of common questions that dog owners ask about this food's safety and nutrition
No. Dogs should never eat tomato stems every day or at any time. The stems contain natural plant toxins that can upset the digestive system and potentially affect the nervous system. If you want to give your dog tomato the only safe option is a small amount of ripe red tomato with the stem, leaves and green parts completely removed.
Dogs should not eat tomato stems in any quantity because they contain compounds that are considered toxic to dogs. Even a small piece can cause stomach upset in sensitive pets and larger amounts may lead to more noticeable symptoms. Instead of feeding stems you can offer a small portion of ripe tomato flesh occasionally once all green plant parts have been removed.
If your dog eats tomato stems remove any remaining plant material from their mouth and monitor them closely for symptoms such as vomiting, drooling, weakness or diarrhoea. Mild stomach upset may pass but worsening symptoms require veterinary advice. Contact your veterinarian if your dog shows unusual behaviour or if they consumed a large amount of stems or leaves.
Puppies are naturally curious and more likely to chew on garden plants or food scraps. Because tomato stems contain plant toxins they should never be given to a puppy. Young dogs also have smaller bodies which means toxins can affect them more quickly than adult dogs. If you grow tomatoes at home keep puppies away from the plants and discard stems safely. If a puppy chews a tomato stem monitor for vomiting or lethargy and contact a veterinarian if symptoms appear.
Small dogs are at higher risk from plant toxins because even a small amount can represent a larger dose relative to their body weight. Tomato stems contain solanine and tomatine which may irritate the digestive system and cause symptoms like vomiting or weakness. Owners of small breeds should be especially careful when preparing tomatoes or gardening. Always remove stems and leaves and dispose of them safely so curious small dogs cannot chew on them.
Senior dogs can be more sensitive to toxins and digestive irritants. Tomato stems contain natural plant chemicals that can upset the stomach and may affect the nervous system if consumed. Older dogs may also recover more slowly from vomiting or dehydration caused by toxins. For safety avoid allowing senior dogs near tomato plants and always remove stems and leaves when preparing tomatoes in the kitchen.
Tomato stems provide no nutritional value and should never be given to overweight dogs. Foods that pose toxicity risks can also cause digestive upset which may lead to dehydration or additional health stress. If you want to offer vegetables to an overweight dog choose safer low calorie options like cooked green beans or carrot pieces instead. Avoid feeding any part of the tomato plant except small amounts of ripe tomato flesh.
Tomato stems contain solanine and tomatine which are glycoalkaloid toxins produced by the tomato plant. These compounds help protect the plant from insects but can irritate a dog’s digestive system and nervous system if consumed. The concentration of these toxins is highest in the green parts of the plant including the stems and leaves. When eaten by dogs these chemicals can cause gastrointestinal upset and in larger quantities may affect the nervous system leading to weakness or tremors.
