Vegetables
Can cats eat tomatoes?
Ripe red flesh is low-risk; the leaves, stems and green fruit contain solanine and are toxic.
Portion: Not recommended. At most a pea-sized piece of ripe flesh.
The short answer
Be careful. A small piece of ripe, red tomato flesh is unlikely to harm a cat, but the rest of the plant is a different matter. The ASPCA lists tomato plants as toxic to cats: the leaves, stems and unripe green tomatoes contain solanine and related alkaloids. There's no benefit to feeding tomato, and sauces, ketchup and salsa usually contain onion, garlic and salt. It's simplest to skip it.
Why the verdict
Solanine and tomatine are glycoalkaloids concentrated in the green parts of plants in the nightshade family. They irritate the gut and, in larger exposures, affect the nervous system. Ripening lowers the levels sharply, so ripe fruit carries little risk. Garden plants are the main danger for cats that chew greenery.
How to prepare it
- If offering, a tiny piece of ripe red flesh only.
- Never green tomatoes, leaves or stems.
- No sauce, ketchup, salsa or pizza.
- Fence off or bring in tomato plants if your cat chews them.
Signs of trouble
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Drooling
- Lethargy or weakness
- Slow heart rate, dilated pupils or confusion (larger plant exposures)
Tomatoes & cats: FAQ
Are tomato plants poisonous to cats?
Yes. The ASPCA lists them as toxic because the leaves and stems contain solanine.
Can cats eat tomato sauce or ketchup?
No. Sauces usually contain onion, garlic, salt and sugar.
Is lycopene good for cats?
There's no evidence that cats benefit from dietary lycopene.
Related foods
See every food that’s toxic to cats →
Sources
- ASPCA — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List — Cats (accessed 2026-09-29)
Last updated 2026-09-29. We are not veterinarians: this guide summarises published veterinary references and is not a substitute for advice from your vet. See our methodology and disclaimer.