Can Dogs Eat Tomato Soup? Nutritional Safety Explained

Tomato soup: a classic comfort food, but is it safe for your dog to eat? While ripe tomatoes are safe for dogs in small amounts, tomato soup is typically made with onions, garlic, and high levels of salt, all of which can be toxic to dogs. If you want to give your dog some soup, make a homemade version that doesn’t contain these ingredients.

In the sections below, we’ll review veterinary nutrition studies that have investigated the nutritional needs of dogs and how well—or not well—certain foods, including those in tomato soup, fulfill those needs. We’ll also look at research on the digestive systems of dogs and how ingredients like onions and garlic impact them.

Through a combination of original research and review articles, you’ll leave with a well-rounded view of what your dog can and can’t have.

Understanding the Risks of Tomatine and Solanine for Dogs

The green parts of the tomato plant, such as the leaves, stems, and unripened fruit, contain natural toxins known as tomatine and solanine. PetMD explains that these toxins can be dangerous to dogs if they are consumed in large enough quantities. Ripe tomatoes are generally safe for dogs because they have low levels of tomatine, but green tomatoes and the plant’s leaves and stems have higher levels that can be dangerous.

If your dog experiences tomatine poisoning, it can lead to symptoms such as an upset stomach, weakness, lethargy, muscle weakness, tremors, seizures, and an irregular heart rate. The American Kennel Club recommends that if you notice any of these symptoms, you should take your dog to the vet immediately.

Purina recommends that you buy organic, bright red tomatoes that don’t have any green parts on them to make sure that you can safely add tomatoes to your dog’s diet. You should also wash them well and cut them into small pieces to avoid choking and to make it easier to monitor how your dog reacts to this new food.

It’s also important to remember that you should only give your dog a small number of treats like tomatoes so that they can maintain a balanced diet.

Dangers of Tomato Soup for Dogs

While a bowl of tomato soup can be a healthy meal for humans, there are a few ingredients that can be dangerous for dogs. Two of the most common ingredients in tomato soup that can be harmful to dogs are onions and garlic, which are in the Allium family.

The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that dogs that consume these ingredients can develop Allium spp. toxicosis, which causes hemolytic anemia, a condition in which a dog’s body destroys red blood cells faster than it can produce them.

That’s not the only danger. Many store-bought tomato soups are high in salt, which can be dangerous for dogs in large quantities. According to Lowcountry Dog, salt in food can lead to sodium ion poisoning in dogs, which can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, and excessive urination. In more serious cases, it can cause seizures and death.

Always check labels for these ingredients when you’re choosing foods for your dog. You can also make your own dog-friendly soups at home.

Both Lowcountry Dog and PetBlogish have recipes that are free of these dangerous ingredients so that your dog can enjoy a warm treat without the dangers of traditional tomato soup ingredients. Making sure your dog’s diet is free of these dangerous ingredients will ensure that their meals are both safe and delicious.

Tomato Soup for Dogs: Can Dogs Eat Tomato Soup?

To ensure that dogs receive the proper nutrition, VCA Animal Hospitals explains that a dog’s diet needs to include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. These nutrients help dogs grow, keep their organs working properly, and keep their immune system healthy. While tomatoes can provide some vitamins and antioxidants, the tomatine in green tomatoes and other potentially harmful ingredients in tomato soup, like onions and garlic, can throw off this balance.

While tomato-based foods like soup can be healthy for people, they often don’t meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for dog food. According to PetMD, a dog’s diet should consist of high-quality proteins and essential fatty acids, while tomato soup is often high in sodium and low in the protein that dogs need.

In addition, the heavy seasoning and dairy products that are often found in soups can lead to an upset stomach in dogs.

As with any human food, it’s important to feed dogs tomato soup in moderation. According to Purdue’s Canine Welfare Science center, treats should make up no more than 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake.

Fresh tomatoes can be a healthy treat for dogs if they meet this requirement, but tomato soup, with its long list of ingredients, should be given to dogs with caution to ensure that their diet remains balanced and they stay healthy.

How Dogs Digest Food: Tomato Soup

Dogs have a digestive system that is well-equipped to handle a variety of foods, including those that are higher in protein. As Whole Dog Journal notes, a dog’s digestive tract is efficient at breaking down and absorbing nutrients, and a dog’s stomach can hold a lot of food. However, the acidity of tomatoes and the other ingredients in tomato soup may be more than a dog’s stomach can handle.

The acidity of tomatoes and the spices often found in tomato soup can lead to digestive issues in some dogs. As Pedigree points out, while a dog’s stomach is good at breaking down food, it can be overwhelmed by foods that are too acidic or spicy, leading to digestive upset or more serious problems.

It’s important to pay attention to how a dog reacts to new foods, and if they experience vomiting or diarrhea, it’s important to contact a vet.

It’s also important to remember that every dog is different, and that’s why it’s important to tailor a dog’s diet to their individual needs. Based on veterinary input, Vetericyn advises that new foods should be introduced to a dog’s diet in a way that’s balanced and moderate. This will help ensure that a dog’s digestive system stays healthy, which is important for their overall well-being.

Conclusion: Can Dogs Have Tomato Soup?

So, while the warm bowl of tomato soup that we all know and love is safe for humans, it can be dangerous for dogs. Even though dogs can eat ripe tomatoes in moderation, the harmful ingredients in pre-made tomato soups, like onions, garlic, and high levels of salt, can be very dangerous for dogs.

In fact, experts have even gone so far as to say that these ingredients can lead to digestive issues and hemolytic anemia.

That said, it’s important to know about dog nutrition and digestive systems, especially since ripe tomatoes can be good for dogs. In fact, Forbes even pointed out in their article that ripe tomatoes are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants. That said, it’s important to remember that this is only true if the tomatoes are eaten in moderation, and the toxic ingredients in tomato soup can cancel out these benefits.

Make sure to talk to your vet before you give your dog tomato soup. This is something that Native Pet also emphasized when they talked about the importance of dog nutrition and the fact that plain or lightly cooked tomatoes can be good for dogs in small amounts.

So, in the end, it’s clear that you should stick to dog-friendly recipes and always prioritize your dog’s health and dietary needs when you’re thinking about giving them human food.