July 14, 2024, 1:15 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
A juicy tomato on bread looks quite tempting to some cats. They end up licking the inside of this juicy vegetable very quickly. For this and other reasons, owners ask themselves: Can my cat eat tomatoes?
Tomatoes are considered healthy for humans. They contain various vitamins and nutrients and have a high lycopene content. But what about animals? Can cats also eat tomatoes — and if so, how many? Cat expert and psychologist Veronika Wegner from Catsiness has the answer.
Expert expresses caution
You might just be snacking on a few tomatoes when you notice your cat standing in front of you, looking curious. Their gaze seems to be saying: ‘May I try some?’ A good question. After all, the small, red vegetable is very healthy for humans. Tomatoes strengthen the immune system, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and contain a lot of vitamins and minerals.
But are these benefits also applicable to cats? Veronika Wegner is a cat psychologist and founded the company Catsiness, where she offers online cat behavior consultations and publishes blog articles on keeping cats in a species-appropriate environment. She reveals: Yes, cats can eat tomatoes — under certain conditions.
How many tomatoes can a cat eat?
“Cats can eat small quantities of ripe, raw tomatoes,” explains Veronika Wegner. There is not a specific number of tomatoes recommended for cats. “However, it is advisable to only offer them as an occasional treat in small quantities,” advises the expert.
The reason for this is that tomatoes actually contain the toxic compound solanine, which is why many pet owners decide against feeding their pets tomatoes. “Solanine is a naturally occurring poison that is contained in the green plant as well as in unripe tomatoes,” explains Wegner. In large quantities, solanine is toxic and can lead to tremors, diarrhea, or vomiting, as well as other symptoms of poisoning in cats. This also applies to the stems and the herb of the plant. It is important to ensure that these parts of the plant are not fed to your cat.
Even if this sounds alarming at first, Veronika Wegner knows: “The solanine value in tomatoes decreases as they ripen, which is why a small amount of ripe tomatoes in food is no cause for concern.” Offering your cat a small piece occasionally is perfectly acceptable if they enjoy tomatoes.
Are tomatoes healthy for cats in small quantities?
But what about the many benefits that tomatoes have for humans? Do they also apply to cats? “Tomatoes consist almost entirely of water and contain some vitamins that can help cats with digestive problems,” explains Veronika Wegner. “However, they have no other significant health benefits for cats.”
Therefore, the expert advises against routinely adding tomatoes to your cat’s diet. “Cats need a balanced diet that is tailored to their needs and consists mainly of high-quality cat food,” she adds.
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Do cats tolerate vegetables best raw or cooked?
It makes little difference to the cat whether the tomato is cooked or raw. “The primary concern is that the tomatoes are ripe,” the expert emphasizes. However, if you want to make digestion easier for your cat, you can peel the tomato beforehand and remove its seeds.
Tomato juice and tomato puree are also usually very appealing to cats due to their aroma. The glutamine in tomatoes can serve as a natural flavor enhancer, which may be particularly beneficial if the cat has a decreased appetite or is recuperating from an illness.
Some cat foods even contain a jelly core with tomatoes to make the food more palatable for them. These appetizers are quite suitable for cats because, unlike tomato sauce, they are free from spices and salt.