Can Dogs Eat Tomato Sauce? | Harmful Foods That Will Kill Your Adorable Dog!

Who can resist the comforting smells of a perfectly seasoned tomato sauce? It is perfect on pizza, pasta, or used as a sauce for breadsticks. This is a common element of many people’s diets. But, is it safe for our canine friends? Can Dogs Eat Tomato Sauce?

The quick answer would be no. Tomato sauce is not good for dogs to eat. The main problems are that some popular tomato sauce ingredients are not safe for dogs. Also, tomato sauce is too acidic for dogs and could upset your dog’s stomach. It’s best to leave tomato sauce out of your dog’s diet.

Why tomato sauce is not safe for your dog 

In addition to tomatoes, tomato sauce also contains flavoring ingredients. Garlic, onion, and spices, such as salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, basil, bay leaf, chopped red pepper, and sugar are often used to flavor tomato sauce. To determine the health risks of tomato sauce for a dog, we need to consider each element individually.

Tomatoes are not safe for all dogs 

Tomatoes are the main ingredient in tomato sauce. They are considered a safe and healthy fruit that can be given to dogs in moderation. However, tomatoes are not suitable for every dog.

They are known to cause inflammation in some humans and animals. If your dog has arthritis or another condition that can be aggravated by inflammation, avoiding tomatoes is a good idea.

Dangerous ingredients for dogs in tomato sauce 

The most dangerous components of tomato sauce are onion and garlic. Both onion and garlic (although there have been divergent opinions on garlic lately ) are toxic to dogs. They contain thiosulfate, which can destroy red blood cells in a dog’s blood, leading to anemia or death.

A dog who has ingested onion or garlic may exhibit immediate symptoms, such as vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weakness. Some signs may not be seen for up to four days later, such as pale gums, weight loss, and lethargy.

It is important to note that garlic and onion are toxic in different amounts, with garlic being the more poisonous of the two substances.

Ingredients that pose less of a threat are salt, sugar, and chopped chili. Dogs are sensitive to sodium consumption, and too much salt can lead to sodium poisoning, which can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures.

Some tomato sauces include sugar as an ingredient. Sugar itself is generally harmless, but dog owners should be aware that xylitol is a common sugar substitute that is very toxic to dogs. Even small amounts, such as that found in chewing gum, can be deadly.

Finally, crushed red pepper, which is common in spicy or “Arrabbiata” varieties, is another problem. Ingesting red chili peppers is likely to lead to stomach pain in dogs and other similar pets.

What if my dog ​​has already eaten some tomato sauce? 

It’s important to note that just because an ingredient is toxic to dogs, it doesn’t mean that accidental ingestion can cause alarm. Toxicity depends on a few factors, including the size of the dog and the amount of toxin consumed.

Tomatoes, the main ingredient in tomato sauce, are harmless to our four-legged friends. Other ingredients are present only in limited quantities. Large dogs are unlikely to develop any serious side effects after eating some tomato sauce.

However, smaller dogs, especially those under 10 pounds, can get sick with even a small amount of tomato sauce. For this reason, it is recommended not to give your dog any tomato sauce.

If your dog has consumed tomato sauce, which contains dangerous ingredients, then it is best to contact a veterinarian. A large dog is likely to be fine, but if your four-legged friend is quite small, it may need veterinary care. Either way, calling the vet is the right thing to do.

Final Thoughts

The answer to the question “can dogs eat tomato sauce?” It’s definitely not. It is likely to contain garlic and onion, which are toxic to dogs. And even if a tomato sauce doesn’t contain these dangerous ingredients, it would still be too acidic for your dog to eat without problems.

There are so many other views that are healthy for your dog!

So if you have some leftover pasta with tomato sauce, put it in the fridge and eat it the next day. Giving it to your dog could cause more harm than good.

Incidentally, ketchup is also not safe for dogs.

This article is purely informative, at Shelterapet we do not have the right to prescribe veterinary treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We encourage you to take your pet to the vet in case of any kind of discomfort.

Author

  • Jessica Vanclap

    Passionate about animals, but also about health, I did not hesitate for long in choosing my studies. Veterinary assistant by training, I worked in a veterinary clinic for several years. I then made the choice to share my knowledge and experiences by joining the training team of a school of Veterinary Assistant and Grooming. Why Trust ShelterAPet? At ShelterAPet, our collective is composed of writers, veterinarians, and seasoned animal trainers with a deep passion for pets. Our team of esteemed professionals delves into extensive research to deliver trustworthy insights on a broad spectrum of pet-related subjects. We anchor our evaluations on direct customer experiences, meticulous testing, and comprehensive scrutiny. Our commitment is to uphold transparency and integrity for our cherished community of pet aficionados and prospective pet parents.