Dogs are not harmed by tomato sauce alone. Premade pasta sauces could be harmful to dogs.
It’s not to say you should take your dog to the vet each time they eat some marinara off the floor. Dogs can’t look after themselves, so their owners must care for them.
You’ve found the right place to learn how to make tomato sauce for your dog and what to do if your dog gets sick of tomato sauce.
Dogs Can Eat Most Tomatoes?
Tomatoes belong to the nightshade family. This group includes plants that contain both nutritious vegetables and dangerous poisons. Nightshades contain solanine, and tomatoes have tomatine.
Tomatine can cause severe health problems in dogs and humans. Red tomatoes are free of it. The most toxic tomatine is found in tomato plants’ stems and leaves, as well as unripened green tomatoes.
You can keep your dog out of your tomato garden by erecting a fence.
Ripe tomatoes are safe for dogs and can help them obtain nutrients. Even though dogs don’t require vegetables like humans, they can still benefit from veggies to live longer and happier lives.
Can Dogs Eat Tomato Sauces?
Pasta sauces and tomato sauces are made with more than just tomatoes. The most common suspects are onion, garlic, salt, and others.
Not all ingredients in a tomato sauce are bad. Salty foods can make your dog feel thirsty. Sugar can only be harmful if consumed in large amounts for a long time, which can increase their chances of developing diabetes and obesity.
The real problem is garlic and onions, found in nearly every premade tomato sauce and many canned “ingredients” sauces.
In large quantities, garlic and onions can cause severe poisoning in dogs. They damage your dog’s red blood cells and can cause weakness, anemia, or even death.
Side Effects Of Dogs Eating Tomatoes
A quick visit to the vet would be a good idea if your dog ate a tomato plant.
Even though it is rare, tomatine poisoning can prove fatal.
Be on the lookout for these symptoms:
- Drooling
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- A decreased heart rate
- Tremors and seizures
- Loss of coordination/weakness
- Unregular heartbeat
- Lethargy
- Dilated pupils
- Paralysis
These symptoms are not common, but we recommend keeping an eye on your dog. Also, inform your vet if your dog does any unusual activity.
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Pasta Sauce?
First, be kind to yourself. In the event that your dog eats something unwholesome, you can’t stay awake every minute. Every pet owner will experience this at some point.
Second, don’t panic. You won’t see your dog suffer anything more than an upset stomach unless they are very small or have eaten a large amount of sauce. Do not be afraid to act with diligence.
Tell your vet what your dog ate and how much. You should be able to refer to the ingredients on any sauce jars or canned foods. If your dog has any symptoms, let them know.
Your vet will advise you to bring your dog to the pet hospital or leave them at home while you monitor them. If the former, you can keep your dog close to you for several hours and call again if they start showing any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
Related: Can Dogs Eat Pasta?
Dog-Safe Tomato Sauce
You can test your dog’s love for tomatoes by making a homemade tomato sauce. You can start with tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes, which have no additional ingredients or additives. Organic is the best.
To heat the tomatoes, add the following safe spices and herbs:
Avoid these:
- Onions and onion powder
- Garlic or garlic powder
- Nutmeg
- Salt
- Black pepper
Related: Fruits and Vegetables Dogs Can or Can’t Eat
Let the sauce cool down once you have simmered it. Then, serve it up to your dog with their usual food. If your dog loves it, chances are they have a craving for vegetables. You can then serve your dog-safe tomato sauce as a treat once or twice per week.
Last Thoughts
Even if you make homemade dog food using dog-safe tomato sauce, remember that your dog should not eat more than 10% of their daily food intake. High-quality, organic dog food is better for dogs than any other food.
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