Can cats eat tomatoes?
Ripe, red tomato flesh is tolerated in mini amounts — but green parts, stems and leaves contain toxic solanine. Overall a food cats can do without.
Why tomatoes for cats?
Tomatoes are a borderline case. The ripe, red fruit contains hardly any solanine and a tiny piece will not harm most cats. All green parts of the plant, though — stems, leaves, unripe fruit — contain the alkaloid solanine and tomatine, which are toxic to cats. Since cats gain nothing nutritionally from tomatoes, the simplest line is to keep them off the menu and the tomato plant out of reach.
How much is okay?
If at all, a mini piece of fully ripe tomato as a rare exception. Tomato sauce, ketchup and tomato juice are off limits — they contain salt, sugar, onions and garlic.
How to feed it?
Only fully ripe, washed tomato flesh without stem or green spots. Never processed tomato products, which almost always carry onion, garlic and seasoning.
Risks & caution
Green plant parts and unripe fruit can trigger solanine poisoning with drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea and apathy. Tomato plants on the balcony are a real nibbling hazard for curious cats.
Can kittens have tomatoes?
Nothing for kittens — their low body weight makes even small solanine amounts riskier, and the nutritional value is zero.
Signs of intolerance
After nibbling on tomato plants watch for drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, dilated pupils or lethargy — with such signs, contact the vet.
Related foods
Frequently asked questions
Are tomato plants dangerous for cats?
Yes. Stems, leaves and unripe fruit contain solanine and tomatine, which are toxic to cats. Keep plants out of reach or secure them.
My cat ate a piece of ripe tomato — bad?
A small piece of ripe, red tomato is usually harmless. Watch the cat; if symptoms such as vomiting appear, call the vet.
Is ketchup or tomato sauce allowed?
No. They contain salt, sugar and almost always onion and garlic — the latter are toxic to cats.
Do cats even like tomatoes?
Most show little interest in the fruit — the danger is the plant, which invites nibbling. Cat grass is the safe alternative.
Important note
This article never replaces veterinary advice. If you suspect poisoning or symptoms persist, contact your vet or the emergency veterinary service immediately.
Sources: General veterinary recommendations; solanine/tomatine toxicity in cats. Last updated: 08/2026.
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