Tomatoes are not toxic to cats when it comes to the ripe, red fruit itself. However, the green, unripe parts of the tomato, as well as the leaves and stems of the tomato plant, contain toxic chemicals (like solanine and tomatine) that can be harmful to cats if ingested. These parts can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and more serious signs of poisoning if eaten in significant amounts. While small amounts of ripe tomato flesh are generally safe, tomatoes are not recommended as a regular part of a cat's diet because cats are obligate carnivores and their digestive systems are not optimized for plant-based foods. Additionally, commercially prepared tomato products may contain harmful spices or ingredients for cats and should be avoided. In summary, ripe tomatoes are safe in small amounts, but tomato plants and unripe tomatoes are toxic to cats and should be kept out of their reach.
