Why is it dangerous to pets?
These plants make solanine and tomatine, bitter alkaloids that irritate the gut and, in larger amounts, affect the nervous system. The plant concentrates them in leaves, stems, sprouts and green skin to deter animals from eating them.
Ripe red tomatoes and the white flesh of peeled potatoes contain only trace amounts, which is why they are considered safe in small food amounts.
Why speed matters
Delaying care significantly worsens outcomes. Some signs appear hours or days later, so "looks fine right now" is not a reason to wait.
Symptoms of tomato-plant poisoning
- Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain, loss of appetite
- Lethargy, weakness, depression
- Wobbliness, tremors, dilated pupils
- Slow heart rate, collapse or seizures in large ingestions
What to do right now
- Call your vet or a poison line and say which part of the plant was eaten.
- Remove the pet from the vegetable patch and fence or net the plants.
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed.
- Ripe tomato fruit and cooked plain potato in small amounts are not the concern — the green parts are.
Sources & further reading
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control — pet poison database & dosage references
- Pet Poison Helpline — toxicology triage guidelines
- Merck Veterinary Manual — toxicology monographs
- Vets Now (UK) — emergency toxicosis guidance
Other poisonings with overlapping signs
- Mistletoe & Holly — shares signs: drooling, abdominal pain, wobbliness
- Jade Plant — shares signs: drooling, wobbliness, lethargy
- Batteries (Alkaline, Lithium, Button) — shares signs: drooling, abdominal pain, lethargy
Owners also ask
- What happens if my dog regularly nibbles on mistletoe or holly berries over the holidays?
- My puppy just ate a jade plant leaf. Is this an emergency?
Frequently asked questions
Is Tomato & Potato Plants (Solanine) poisonous to a dog or cat?
These plants make solanine and tomatine, bitter alkaloids that irritate the gut and, in larger amounts, affect the nervous system. The plant concentrates them in leaves, stems, sprouts and green skin to deter animals from eating them.
What are the symptoms of tomato-plant poisoning?
Drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea; Abdominal pain, loss of appetite; Lethargy, weakness, depression; Wobbliness, tremors, dilated pupils
What should I do if my pet ate Tomato & Potato Plants (Solanine)?
Call your vet or a poison line and say which part of the plant was eaten. Remove the pet from the vegetable patch and fence or net the plants. Do not induce vomiting unless instructed.
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