Should You Share Tomatoes With Your Cat?

Tomatoes come in a wide range of colors and flavors, and they can be eaten raw or cooked. Is your cat particularly fond of the tomatoes you serve with your salad, or do they maybe want a slice from your signature BLT?

Tomatoes are unquestionably good for us in every way. On the other hand, our feline friends have a hard time digesting most human foods. Some foods may be safe for a cat's carnivorous diet, while others may cause digestive problems that are either temporary or long-lasting.

Before you give your cat a slice, make sure you know the answer to the question, "Can cats eat tomatoes?"

Are tomatoes bad for cats?

The different parts of the plant and tomato must be distinguished when discussing tomato toxicity for cats. In addition, it is necessary to differentiate between ripe and unripe tomatoes. Tomatoes and other parts of the tomato plant can be toxic to cats in some cases. However, cats aren't always poisoned by tomatoes. Cats can eat tomatoes at times and in moderate amounts.

cherry tomatoes

Are ripe tomatoes safe for cats to eat?

The only tomatoes that are safe for cats to eat are ripe ones. If your cat eats a ripe tomato, there should be no problems. Your cat should still not be overfed tomatoes because they can cause stomach discomfort. Cats can't digest plant matter as well as humans or dogs because they are obligate carnivores. On the other hand, ripe tomato is completely safe for your cat to eat.

Can cats eat tomatoes that aren't ripe?

Things get slightly more complicated here. Tomatoes are not the only plant that belongs to the nightshade family of plants; eggplants and potatoes do as well. Toxic alkaloids produced by plants from the nightshade family have the potential to harm or kill a wide variety of creatures if consumed. However, these plants' ripened fruits and vegetables contain only a tiny amount of these toxins. Toxins are concentrated primarily in the plant and the unripe fruits. Cats should not eat unripe tomatoes.

Can cats eat the tomato plant?

In the same way that unripe tomatoes contain dangerous toxins, so do all other parts of the plant. A ripe tomato is fine for your cat, but your cat should never have the opportunity to eat any of the tomato plant's parts.

tomatoes on a pile

Tomato health benefits

Despite their fruit status, tomatoes are more commonly prepared as a vegetable than a fruit. As long as we can get our hands on a tomato, it doesn't really matter how it's classified.

Tomatoes are packed with vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K1. About 28% of your daily vitamin C needs are provided by a medium-sized tomato. Vitamin C is one of the most essential nutrients in our bodies. It helps with collagen growth, eye health, and even prevents wrinkles on the skin.

Lycopene, a compound found in tomatoes, grapefruit, and other red-to-pink fruits, has been shown to have numerous health benefits. According to a new study, those who ate 40 grams of tomato paste a day for ten weeks saw a 40% decrease in sunburns. The nutrient appears to help protect the skin against UV rays from the inside out.

As cancer and cardiovascular disease risk reduction agent, lycopene has been around for a long time. Plus, tomatoes are red, and red represents cardiovascular health.

Potential risks of feeding tomatoes to cats

Cats can get sick if they eat the tomato plant or green, unripe tomatoes, which are the most dangerous. If your cat is poisoned with solanine, they may vomit and drool excessively, become weak, and have a slow heartbeat.

In the event that you notice any of these symptoms or suspect that your cat has nibbled on your tomato plant, you should seek immediate veterinary attention.

tomatoes in garden

The tomatoes themselves aren't the only dangers of feeding your cat tomatoes. To begin with, onions and garlic, both of which are extremely toxic to cats, are frequently used in tomato-based dishes.

Your cat's pancreas may be irritated or inflamed by the cooking fats and oils used for tomato preparation. In addition to avoiding seasonings like salt, pepper, and chili, you should also steer clear of anything that could upset your cat's stomach.

Do cats even like tomatoes?

Tomatoes don't appear to be a favorite food for cats. In any case, there are always exceptions. It's best to remove all tomato plants from your home, greenhouse, or garden if your cat seems to have a taste for tomatoes.

World Cat Finder Team

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