Many people love a nice warm bowl of tomato soup, and many people may wonder if their pets can safely try this tasty dish. However, a lot more ingredients often go into tomato soup than many may have thought initially. This will leave cat owners wondering: can cats eat tomato soup?
Cats cannot eat tomato soup. Tomato soup contains several ingredients that are toxic to cats including onions, garlic, and oregano. Salt and oil can lead to additional complications for cats.
In this article, we will be explaining why cats should not be fed tomato soup. We will also be answering some other commonly asked questions about this topic and providing you with some other things to consider.
What Ingredients Are In Tomato Soup
Let’s begin with a breakdown of the ingredients that are commonly found in tomato soup. In the following table, we have listed the most common tomato soup ingredients and if they are suitable for cats to eat.
| Ingredients Commonly Found in Tomato Soup | Can Cats Eat It? |
| Tomatoes | Not recommended (toxic when not ripe) |
| Garlic | No (toxic) |
| Onions | No (toxic) |
| Butter | Not recommended (not toxic, but not healthy either) |
| Olive Oil | Ok in moderation |
| Sugar | Not recommended (not toxic, but not healthy either) |
| Salt | Not recommended (not toxic, but not healthy either) |
| Black Pepper | Cats will not likely enjoy this sharp tasting spice, so not recommended |
| Oregano | No (toxic) |
| Heavy Whipping Cream | Not recommended (not toxic, but not healthy either) |
Is Tomato Soup Good For Cats
No, tomato soup is not good for cats.
Although cooked ripe tomatoes are fine for a cat to snack on, other commonly found ingredients in tomato soup are not. Things like onions, garlic, and oregano are commonly found in this dish, and they are very toxic to cats.
In addition, added ingredients like butter, sugar, salt, and heavy whipping cream really shouldn’t be fed to your pets voluntarily. This is not because they are toxic, but because they are pretty unhealthy to have in your cat’s regular diet.
Are Cooked Tomatoes Safe For Cats
Yes, cooked tomatoes are technically safe for cats to eat when they are ripe. However, voluntarily feeding cats tomatoes is not recommended.
Even though tomatoes can be a great source of vitamins and minerals for people and cats, certain parts of the tomato can be toxic to our feline friends. As a result, it is always best to give your cat some safer foods such as blueberries as an alternative to tomatoes for a healthy snack for your cat.
Is Tomato Toxic To Cats
Unripe tomatoes are toxic to cats. Therefore, if your tomato is green, then your cat really shouldn’t eat it. In addition, the stems and leaves of tomato plants are also toxic to cats. Unripe tomatoes and these parts of the tomato plant are toxic to cats because they contain solanine. Solanine is toxic to both cats and dogs.
Can Cats Eat Cherry Tomatoes
No, cats should not eat cherry tomatoes. This is because unripe cherry tomatoes contain solanine like all other types of unripe tomatoes, and solanine is toxic to cats. In addition, the leaves and stems of cherry tomato plants contain solanine as well. As a result, you should keep all kinds of tomato plants away from your cat.
What Happens If A Cat Eats Tomato Sauce?
Like tomato soup, tomato sauce often contains many ingredients that are toxic for cats to eat. These commonly include onions, garlic, and oregano. Below we have included a table of all of the common ingredients in tomato sauce and whether or not it is safe for cats to eat.
| Ingredients Commonly Found in Tomato Sauce | Can Cats Eat It? |
| Onions | No (toxic) |
| Garlic | No (toxic) |
| Tomatoes | Not recommended (toxic when not ripe) |
| Olive Oil | Ok in moderation |
| Salt | Not recommended (not toxic, but not healthy either) |
| Oregano | No (toxic) |
| Basil | Yes |
As you can see, most of the ingredients that are commonly found in tomato sauce are not safe for cats to consume. Three of these ingredients are straight-up toxic to cats. As a result, your cat will likely get sick after eating tomato sauce.
How sick they will get depends on how much tomato sauce they have eaten, but it is always safest to take your cat to the vet if they have eaten any amount of tomato sauce.
If your pet has consumed tomato sauce, they will likely experience poisoning from onion, garlic, and oregano. Some common signs of poisoning from onions, garlic, or oregano in cats include but are not limited to:
● Vomiting
● Diarrhea
● Reduced appetite
● Lethargy
● Breathing difficulties
● Increased heart and respiratory rate
● Drooling
● Collapse and difficulty walking
● Pale gums
It is crucial to immediately take your cat to the vet if you notice any of the above symptoms. They may need supportive care from an emergency animal hospital until their symptoms subside.
Alternatives To Tomato Soup For Cats
Luckily, there are some safe and healthy alternatives to tomato soup that you can give to cats. The following is a list of healthy and natural treats that are safe to feed to your cat.
● Catnip
● Lean meats
● Sardines
● Pumpkin and squash
● Cooked eggs
● Cooked rice
● Peas and carrots
● Broccoli and spinach
● Blueberries and bananas
You can make your own healthy homemade cat treats with a mix of some of the above ingredients or give them to your cat as they are. In addition, you have the option to make your cat some tasty homemade meals as well. It is important to remember that you should give all treats in moderation.
When making homemade meals for your cat, it is always vital that you get them approved by a vet. This will ensure that your cat will have a healthy and balanced diet with enough essential vitamins, minerals, and other essential factors.
Things To Consider
There are some other things to consider when it comes to cats eating tomato soup, tomato sauce, and even just tomatoes in general. These include the signs of tomato plant poisoning in cats and some other situations when you should take your cat to the vet. Here are some things to consider about cats eating tomato soup.
Signs Of Tomato Plant Poisoning In Cats
Like onions, garlic, and oregano, parts of the tomato plant are toxic to cats. As a result, cats can experience tomato plant poisoning after eating unripe tomatoes or the leaves and stems of a tomato plant. Some common signs of tomato plant poisoning include but are not limited to:
● Drooling
● Reduced appetite
● Lethargy
● Diarrhea and vomiting
● Reduced heart rate
● Dilated pupils
● Signs of confusion and behavioral changes
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your cat or suspect that your cat has eaten an unripe tomato or parts of a tomato plant, then you should take them to the vet immediately.
They may need to be hospitalized when they are experiencing symptoms of tomato plant poisoning. However, your cat will be back to normal once the toxin solanine is out of its system and symptoms of tomato plant poisoning have subsided.
When To See A Vet
There are several instances where you may need to take your cat to the vet after they have ingested tomato soup, tomato sauce, and other things mentioned previously in this article. Below is a list of situations that we have brought up that will likely require veterinary care.
● If they have ingested parts of a tomato or oregano plant
● If they have ingested unripe tomatoes
● If they have eaten tomato soup or tomato sauce
● If they are showing signs of oregano, onion, garlic, or tomato plant poisoning
● If they are showing any signs of pain or illness (such as vomiting, diarrhea, and other significant unusual symptoms)
My name is James, and welcome to FAQCats!
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