Tomato

Symptoms reported in cats

Most serious first.

1. 1
   Slowed heart rate (bradycardia) Occurs after the systemic absorption of a large toxic dose. · Severe cardiovascular and neurological effects are rare in cats. Felines typically do not consume enough of the unpalatable green plant material to trigger life-threatening symptoms, but it remains a risk in cases of severe poisoning.
2. 2
   Vomiting and diarrhea Within a few hours of ingestion. · Solanine and tomatine act as direct gastrointestinal irritants. If the vomiting or diarrhea is severe, it can lead to dehydration.
3. 3
   Lethargy, weakness, and confusion Progresses after gastrointestinal signs (usually within a few to several hours). · This is caused by the systemic absorption of solanine, which acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor and depresses the central nervous system.
4. 4
   Dilated pupils (mydriasis) A few hours after ingestion. · This is an additional neurological effect stemming from the disruption of the nervous system by the glycoalkaloid toxins.
5. 5
   Hypersalivation (Drooling) Within a few hours of ingestion. · This is typically one of the first signs of oral and gastrointestinal irritation caused by the plant's glycoalkaloid toxins.

Important notes

While the ripe, red fruit of the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is generally considered non-toxic for cats in small amounts, the green parts of the plant are poisonous. This includes the leaves, stems, vines, and unripe green tomatoes, all of which contain harmful compounds. The toxic substances are glycoalkaloids known as solanine and tomatine. These compounds are part of the plant's natural defense system and are concentrated in its green parts. If ingested, they can cause significant gastrointestinal distress and, in larger quantities, may affect the nervous system, leading to confusion, weakness, or a slowed heart rate. As the tomato fruit ripens to red, these toxin levels naturally fall to negligible, safe amounts. Symptoms of tomato plant poisoning include severe vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, lethargy, and loss of appetite. To be safe, prevent cats from accessing tomato plants. If you know your cat has eaten the green leaves or an unripe tomato, you should contact your veterinarian for guidance.

• Avoid: all green plant parts — leaves, stems, vines, and unripe tomatoes contain solanine and tomatine
• Ripe red flesh: safe in very small amounts; no nutritional benefit for cats and high acid content may cause mild upset
• Symptoms if green parts ingested: drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness; severe cases cause bradycardia or CNS depression
• Never feed tomato sauce, ketchup, or canned tomato products — typically contain garlic, onion, and salt
• Contact your vet if your cat eats significant amounts of green tomato plant material