Are Tomato Plants Poisonous
Today, tomatoes are touted as extremely healthy food sources in large part due to their high concentration of lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and macular degeneration.
While its true that tomatoes are members of the nightshade family, they actually produce a slightly different alkaloid called tomatine. Tomatine is also toxic but less so. However, when ingested in extremely large doses, it may cause gastrointestinal problems, liver, and even heart damage. It is highest in concentration in the leaves, stems and unripe fruit ripe red tomatoes have very low doses of tomatine. This doesnt mean that you should avoid fried green tomatoes though. It would take huge amounts of tomatine to make a person ill.
Note: Those suffering from autoimmune disorders should avoid digesting tomatoes and other members of the nightshade family, which may lead to issues with inflammation.
Common Poisoning Symptoms In Pets
The symptoms a cat or dog experience after eating toxic plants or foods depends on the toxin as well as the pet you have, their age, underlying medical conditions and how much they have consumed.
The classic symptoms include seizing or fitting, agitation or tremoring , diarrhoea or vomiting, and drooling , Dr Neck says.
You May Like: Cost Of Cat Vaccinations And Neutering
Are Tomato Plants Toxic To Cats Keeping Your Cat Safe
Bringing a cat into your home is an exciting time in a pet owners life. You have this lovable, yet curious creature that you are responsible for. Buying the right kitten and cat foods, the best kitty litter, and the most interactive toys on the market are only part of the duties youve taken on. As a conscientious cat owner, you must learn what common things around your home and backyard are toxic to your cat so you can keep him or her healthy and happy for years to come.
Perhaps you enjoyed growing a small garden out back, a few plants on the back patio, or perhaps you have an entire farm. Maybe you love to pick up tomato plants from your local farmers market. Either way, you may be wondering if tomato plants are toxic to cats. Unfortunately, for tomato lovers, that answer is yes the plants are toxic, but ripe tomatoes arent. To understand all this better, lets learn more about cats and their relationship to tomato plants so you can keep your kitty safe.
Don’t Miss: When Can I Sell My Kittens
Poisonous Plants In Summer
Many of our gardens are in full bloom during the summer, along with harvests of fruit and vegetables. Although a number of these plants are safe for pets, its best to keep your pets off your vegetable patch as some plants can be very dangerous. Allium species, such as onions and garlic, are dangerous at all stages, and tomato and potato plants can be toxic to your pet.
If youre planting your autumn bulbs now, dont forget to keep these away from your pets, too especially autumn crocus bulbs , which can be dangerous!
Plants to avoid:
- Mistletoe : Also present in spring, autumn and winter.
- Oak : Also present in spring, autumn and winter.
- Oleander : Also present in autumn.
- Potato plant : The leaves on potatoes can be toxic. Raw, green or sprouting potatoes can also be harmful.
- Ragwort : Also present in spring and autumn.
- Rowan : Also present in spring, autumn and winter.
- Rhubarb : Rhubarb leaves are poisonous to dogs and cats, whether they are cooked or raw. Also present in spring.
- Tomato : Leaves and unripe fruit on tomato plants are toxic to cats and dogs.
- Yew : Also present in spring, autumn and winter.
Plants That Are Poisonous Or Toxic To Cats
Cats are curious by nature and love to check out new things. Theyre also notorious for getting into things that we dont want them to touch! We want to keep our cats safe, and that includes not having anything toxic within their reach in the home . Plants are fun to decorate the house and liven up a room with, but many can be harmful to cats. Before we decide to bring that beautiful plant home, as pet owners, we have to make sure its not toxic to our furry companions. Always check first to see if a plant that you want will hurt your pets in any way. Browse this list of toxic plants to see if any that youre considering getting or already own are named. If you think that your cat has ingested any toxic substance, seek immediate veterinary care or call poison control right away. Hundreds of plants are toxic to cats. A more comprehensive list is available, but weve chosen 12 common house and garden plants that you should avoid bringing into or around your home if you have cats. However, no list will be complete, as there are more than 390,000 identified plant species. If you suspect that your cat ate a plant that made them ill, consult your vet right away.
Read Also: How To Get Feral Cat To Trust You
About Dr Zara Boland Dvm
Irish born Zara is a UK registered clinical vet with a passion for helping people to understand their pets. She does this in any way that she can from hands-on consults to international conference speaking, article writing, TV and radio. Her main areas of clinical interest are animal nutrition and behaviour, but she also has a lifelong fascination with exotic animals. She is the founder of Vet Voice, a specialist veterinary communications agency and has nearly 15 years globally acquired experience within the pet food and pet healthcare industries. She is also involved with a number of different animal charities and the proud pet parent of a Bernese Mountain Dog called Rhumba and a rascally rescue cat called Scamp.
Are Spider Plants Toxic To Dogs
No, spider plants are not toxic to dogs.
Chlorophytum comosum is a commonly grown houseplant. Spider plants do not pose any health risks to pets, cats, or humans, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Despite the fact that you may be able to eat some of your spider plant, it can still cause vomiting or other side effects in your dog. A dogs urine contains a very high level of nitrogen. It can even cause your spider plant to die. If a puppy digs, he or she can uproot the plant or cause damage. Spider plants can be left near the door of a cat or dog, but they should be placed higher to avoid becoming easy urinals or digging grounds.
Don’t Miss: Best Low Carb Wet Cat Food For Diabetic Cats
Is There A Toxicity Level For Tomatoes
Barring an allergy, most cats will experience mild reactions to ingesting tomatoes, if at all. According to KittenToob, tomatoes contain alkaloid solanine.
This compound mostly affects the lower GI tract, leading to symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. When severe enough, symptoms might include confusion, lethargy, or weakness. When such symptoms occur, a vet visit will help restore your kitty to health.
Writer Susan Paretts notes that the plants, particularly leaves, contain tomatine. When the tomatoes are still green, they contain more of the chemical.
Symptoms of tomatine poisoning include drooling and behavioral changes, in addition to stomach upsets. Seizures or tremors are also possible. When you suspect poisoning is the culprit, you should seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.
Should you catch your cat in the act of consuming a tomato plant, it is best to err on the side of caution and get veterinary help. Your vet will be in a position to help mitigate the worst effects if your cat has consumed the toxins.
Although ingesting enough of these poisons to result in death is thankfully rare, the signs of poisoning should always be taken seriously. It is always better safe than sorry where these types of situations are concerned because declines may be rapid.
Health Benefits Of Tomatoes
Though tomatoes are part of the fruit family, they are often prepared as a vegetable due to their more savory nature. With a ton of vitamins and minerals and an appetizing flavor, it frankly doesnt matter what a tomato is as long as we can eat it.
For starters, tomatoes have vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K1. One regular-sized tomato gives about 28% of your daily vitamin C intake. Vitamin C is quite literally a building block of our bodies. It helps with growth, collagen building, eye health and even helps prevent our skin from wrinkling.
Found in tomatoes, grapefruit, and other pink-to-red fruit, there is something called lycopene. In a fascinating study, people who took 40 grams of lycopene-filled tomato paste every day for 10 weeks experienced 40% fewer sunburns. The nutrient seems to help protect the skin from the inside out from ultraviolet rays.
Lycopene has also had a long-standing relationship with helping prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease risk. Red is the color of love and heart health.
Don’t Miss: Kittens For Adoption In Maine
Whats The Story With Cats And Tomatoes
- cat-lovers-only.com
- Summary:Tomatoes and tomato plants: Tomatoes of all kinds are toxic to cats, as are parts of the tomato plant. Ingesting as little as a cherry tomato can cause severe
- Matching search results: Ive read a ton of conflicting information on this topic, and I assume that you might have encountered it too, or soon will. So, Ill leave you with this last reference to perhaps clear things up a bit. Its an article on steroid alkaloids from the
Treatment Of Tomato Poisoning In Cats And Dogs
There is no antidote for the tomato plants poison. So, if your cat or dog indigested leaves or stem of the tomato, please, take it to the veterinarian.
Dont try to treat this at home. What you can do, is to ensure that the animal is eating and drinking. But if the symptoms are severe, take it to the doctor.
The veterinarian will usually begin with the administration of fluids with electrolytes, so your pet will not get dehydrated.
Then, depending on their symptoms, their heart will be monitored. If there is any malfunctioning in the pets hearts, the veterinarian can administer the needed medication.
Inducing vomiting to clean out the pets stomach is not unusual either. The vet can also administer some activated charcoal which will bind any remaining toxin in the gastrointestinal tract of the pet.
Recommended Reading: Blue Freedom Wet Cat Food
Why Does My Cat Eat Green Beans
Like many other vegetables, green beans can add variety to your cats diet while providing some pawesome nutritional benefits. Since cats are obligate carnivores, green beans arent necessary for their diet, but they can offer a high level of fiber and aid in digestion.
Can Cats Eat Fruit
In general, small amounts of some fruits are okay, but as meal replacements, its not a good idea. Gary Richter, DVM, owner and medical director of Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, California and Holistic Veterinary Care, tells Rover, Fruits are not problematic for cats although most wont really eat fruit in any quantity. Since they are not going to eat large amounts of fruit anyway, the sugar content is not a major concern.
That being said, though ripe tomato itself is not toxic, there are certain fruits that cats should always steer clear of:
- Grapes/Raisins/Currants
- Coconut or coconut oil
You May Like: What Does Crude Protein Mean In Cat Food
When Are Tomatoes Safe For Cats
The fruit of ripe red tomatoes is safe for cats on the following conditions:
- Moderate amounts
- Unseasoned, fresh fruits
- No current health complications
Should your pet have any diseases or a sensitive stomach, you shouldnt press your luck with tomatoes. However, if the kitty is overall healthy, nothing will happen if it munches on a slice or two.
Keep in mind that there are far more nutritious fruits and vegetables that offer a healthy dose of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and all other benefits that tomatoes have. They are healthier options that wont upset your pets stomach. And hey, theyll be tastier than a slice of raw tomato!
What Plants Can Kill Cats
There are a number of plants that can be quite toxic to cats. The most commonly known of these are lilies, amaryllis, azaleas / rhododendron, bird of paradise, iris, daffodils, holly, ivy, tulips and sago palm. If any parts of these plants are nibbled on by your kitty, its best to call the vet straight away. Clinical signs of illness can vary from digestive system upset to kidney failure, heart failure, liver failure and even death.
Don’t Miss: Blue Buffalo Kidney Diet Cat
Recovery Of Tomato Poisoning Cats And Dogs
Tomato plants toxicity is considered mild to moderate therefore, the prognosis of full recovery is good. Most of the pets intoxicated with tomato plants are fully recovered in few hours.
However, as soon as you notice that your pet indigested any part of the plant, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
With activated charcoal and lots of fluids, your pet will recover quickly, however, if the symptoms are severe or the pet is acting abnormally, the vet will need to make other interventions as well.
Once the pets body emptied all the toxins, these should recover without any remaining side effects.
How Do I Keep My Cat Away From Tomato Plants
It is your job as a good pet parent to keep your kitty safe from the dangers of the world around it. Unfortunately, this may mean sacrificing things you enjoy or confining your cat when all they want to do is explore. Lets take a look at a few ways you can keep your kitty safe from interaction with tomato plants.
You May Like: Is Salmon Good For Cats
Can Cats Eat Tomatoes Are Tomatoes Safe For Cats
Can cats eat tomatoes? Maybe youve wondered this if your cat begged for a bite while you were chopping up some tomatoes to add to a fresh salad or making red sauce. If humans can eat tomatoes, can cats safely eat it too?
The short answer is generally no, cats cant safely eat tomatoes however, a small piece of a ripe tomato should not adversely affect your cat. That said, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals lists tomato plants and unripe tomatoes as being toxic to cats.
There are also a number of problems with commercial tomato products and sauces that make them unsuitable for cats.
Heres what you need to know about tomatoes and cats.
How To Protect Your Tomatoes From Your Cat
Remember, cat owners have an obligation to keep their cats safe. In addition, its your responsibility to keep your cat from having access to your tomatoes. This is whats best for your tomato plants and for your cat. What are some ways you can do this?
You might consider keeping your cat indoors and creating barriers, making it impossible for him to go outside. Putting up restrictions might cause depression if your cat had access to the outside yard in the past. There are various ways to protect your tomatoes from your cats.
Secure your tomatoes behind a fence or screen so that your cat does not have access to them. Make sure your fence or screen is sturdy, as your cat might try to lean on it to push it over. Tomato caging will work, as long as your cat cannot knock it over or get inside the holes. A popular way of keeping cats out of the garden is installing motion-sensing sprinklers to scare the cats away. Most cats do not like water, and the sudden spray will frighten them.
You can also install ultrasonic noise motion detection devices. These make a noise that only your pets can hear and do not like. They tend to steer clear from these devices. As a last resort, you might consider eradicating tomatoes from your garden for the safety of your pet. Cats are curious creatures, and a form of investigating will be nibbling or even ingesting leaves and other parts of plants.
You May Like: Cat 301.7 D Price
What Happens If Your Cat Eats Coffee Or Another Caffeinated Drink
In cats, caffeine ingestion affects the bowels, kidneys, nervous and cardiovascular systems and can be fatal if left untreated.
Another risk for cats is that caffeine tastes bitter, which makes it very appealing to cats. Be aware that caffeine is present in many energy drinks and colas. Additionally, the potentially lethal effect may be exponentially worsened if it is contained in cocoa and chocolate.
How Fast Do Cats React To The Pothos
As mentioned above, the initial reaction after your cat has consumed part of a pothos plant includes excessive salivation, mouth irritation, vomiting, lethargy, and a decreased appetite.
If you notice your cat acting strange, its best to seek medical treatment immediately. Looks for signs of golden pothos plant toxic side effects such as:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Excessive drooling
A matter of minutes could mean saving your cats life. Usually, this reaction will occur just minutes after ingesting parts of the Golden pothos.
Recommended Reading: How To Get My Cat To Love Me
Recommended Reading: Natural Anxiety Relief For Cats
Are Tomatoes Toxic To Cats
Yes, the entire plant can be toxic to cats. Both the green parts of the tomato plant and the unripe tomatoes are poisonous to cats. The tomato plant contains toxic chemicals called solanine and tomatine, which when ingested by cats can cause gastrointestinal complications , a slower heart rate, and lethargy.
However, tomatoes arent always poisonous to cats. Your cat may ingest completely ripe parts of the plant without any harmful or life-threatening effects. You will even find that some cat food manufacturers use tomatoes in their food.
Tomato plant poisoning in cats happens when the cat ingests the toxins found in the green parts of the plant or the unripe fruit. These contain solanine and alpha-tomatine that are toxic to your cat.