You may need to be corrected if your dog only needs animal products. Vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other plant components are vital for the pet’s body and are the key to its excellent health and high activity. Tomatoes are no exception. Let’s examine whether you can give your dog tomatoes, and if so, in what form. We will also look at which pets they are for and what to do if your dog has eaten too many tomatoes.
What good things do tomatoes do for dogs?
Tomatoes contain a considerable amount of valuable substances. Tomatoes have a positive effect on the animal’s body:
- Ascorbic acid increases the body’s defenses;
- Vitamins A and E serve as the prevention of skin diseases and the development of tumors;
- B vitamins help the nervous system work properly and keep the skin and hair in great shape;
- Calcium and phosphorus are responsible for the strength of bone tissue and muscle function;
Fiber supports intestinal microflora’s activity, improves the gastrointestinal tract’s functioning, and promotes the elimination of toxic substances.
By the way, dogs that eat tomatoes are less likely to have dental problems. Tomatoes contain particular bioactive substances that strengthen the enamel and prevent plaque from forming on it. For such gourmets, even their breath becomes fresh.
In what cases are tomatoes contraindicated?
Not all dogs can tomatoes. You should exclude vegetables from your four-legged friend’s diet if he tends to be intestinally upset or has diarrhea while feeding. The same applies to whether your pet has an individual intolerance to tomatoes or an allergy to them.
You should not treat your animal to tomatoes or products made from them if you have been diagnosed with kidney disease. Due to the high amount of oxalic acid and other organic acids in the fruits, the animal may get worse.
All dogs are prohibited from giving unripe fruits and store-bought tomatoes, especially if the “tomato” season has not yet arrived. Firstly, such vegetables are “stuffed” with nitrates. Secondly, they use various substances that are toxic to the body, for example, pesticides, growth, and ripening accelerators.
How to give tomatoes to your dog correctly
Your four-legged friend can eat raw, boiled, baked, or stewed tomatoes. It is to give fried, salted, canned tomatoes. You should not add foods that contain tomatoes to your dog’s diet: ketchup, tomato paste, and the like.
As for tomato juice, it can be added to your pet’s food in small quantities due to the high concentration of active substances. The only condition is that the product must be homemade. Cannot give Store-bought juices.
In addition, you can freeze pieces of tomatoes, tomato pulp, or juice diluted with water. These “candies” will help quench your thirst in the heat and become a mineral source.
For the first time, it is enough to give the dog a small slice of tomato and then watch the body’s reaction throughout the day. If there are no problems with the skin or intestines, you can increase the portion and introduce tomatoes into your diet.
For small breeds, it is to feed about half a medium tomato daily, 2-3 times a week. Large dogs are given 2 to 3 fruits with the same frequency. Vegetables must be clean and ripe. You must first cut out The place where the stalk is attached.
If your dog ate tomato leaves
The green parts of tomatoes contain the most potent toxic substance – solanine. This compound, in small quantities, can cause poisoning, and in a large dose, it can be fatal. If your pet likes to chew everything that grows, you should place tomato seedlings in inaccessible places and limit the dog’s movement in the garden area.
What to do if tomatoes poison you
If your pet loves tomatoes, if he overeats, he may experience the following symptoms:
- Vomiting, nausea;
- Refusal of regular food;
- Diarrhea;
- Rumbling in the stomach.
In severe cases – unripe vegetables, spoiled from the store, etc. – muscle weakness, cramps, and heart rhythm disturbances are possible. The animal must urgently taken to a veterinary clinic. You can give activated charcoal for mild symptoms and keep your pet in water for a day. It is advisable still to show the dog to a specialist in the future.
Can puppies and pregnant dogs eat tomatoes?
In puppyhood, it is permissible to introduce tomato supplements if the baby is already eating “adult” food—the additive starting in small portions, mixed with the main feed.
Tomatoes will come in handy for a pregnant or lactating dog, as they are a source of essential vitamins and minerals. However, experts say that if your pet has not consumed tomatoes before and is not interested in them, it is not worth giving them specifically.
