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Are commercial dog treats that list tomato powder on the ingredient label safe for my 4 kg Chihuahua?

Dogs · Food safety

Last reviewed: 2026-09-05 · Reference ranges: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline & Merck Veterinary Manual

Short answer

Most commercially prepared dog treats containing tomato powder are safe for a small dog like a 4 kg Chihuahua, provided the product uses only the ripe red fruit. Tomato powder is made from cooked, dried tomato flesh, so the green parts that contain solanine are not present. Still, check the ingredient list carefully — some cheap treats may include extracts from stems or leaves. Start with one small treat and watch for vomiting or diarrhea. If anything looks wrong, stop feeding it and contact your vet.

Tomato — Food safety facts

Feed with care · Dogs · full breakdown on the linked food page

Ripe red fruit is fine in small pieces. Green parts (leaves, stem, unripe fruit) contain solanine, which is toxic.

Dogs and cats carry the same rating (Feed with care), so the notes below hold for either pet.

Tomato is not poisonous to dogs, but it is easy to over-feed. Rich fat, salt or seasoning can bring on vomiting or diarrhoea within a day, and repeated large portions are a recognised trigger for pancreatitis.

If it ate some before you noticed, watch for vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness or a painful, swollen abdomen over the next 24 hours. A one-off small amount in a healthy adult usually passes with water and rest; repeated exposure, a puppy or kitten, a senior, or a pet with an ongoing illness is a reason to call your vet the same day.

The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Tomato food facts page.

Open the full food page: Tomato food facts →