Can dogs eat tomatillos? Tomatillos, aka Mexican husk tomatoes, continue to be a popular veggie choice in many countries. This makes the tomato an exciting ingredient for creating various meals and recipes. But what about your furry companion?
Yes and no. While tomatillos are generally considered safe to consume for dogs, the veggie should be given only in moderation, if not at all. The reason for this is solanine – a poisonous component found in tomatillos, and yes, it is toxic for dogs. Typically for humans, solanine is neutralized when cooked.
So is it entirely wrong, or does it offer any advantages? Continue reading to learn more about the nutritional relationship between tomatillos and dogs. Let’s look into the beneficial aspects first.
Are There Any Benefits of Tomatillos for Dogs?
Tomatillos are a type of green husked fruit that contain valuable vitamins such as A and C. These are vitamins that can act as powerful antioxidants and boost their immune system and ward off various diseases as well.
The vegetable also contains potassium and magnesium, which can help the blood pressure regulation of your furry pal while also supporting cardiac health. Additionally, the fiber content also helps promote healthy digestion.
That said, tomatillos for dogs come with their own set of risks and disadvantages (we’ll get to it in a bit). Hence, it is usually recommended to avoid them as they can be more harmful than beneficial. It’s also important to remember the risks included while considering the benefits of dogs eating tomatillos.
If you’re keen on adding vegetables to your dog’s diet, you can still go for other safer options like cauliflower or broccoli, which offers better benefits for your dog’s overall health. It’s always best recommended to look for something that can improve their health and life without any risks.
Are There Any Risks of Tomatillos for Dogs?
Yes, absolutely. As mentioned earlier, tomatillos can be pretty harmful to dogs as it contains alkaloids. Being a nightshade family member, it’s natural for tomatillos to contain alkaloids, which usually have a negative impact on dogs.
One common alkaloid found in tomatillos is solanine. It is present in the leaves, stems, and flesh. This particular component can be highly poisonous and toxic to dogs when or if consumed excessively. It’s essential to remember that dogs can’t eat everything humans eat and vice versa.
The presence of solanine alone should be enough to pull your dog away from tomatillos. But that’s not all. There are other reasons why you should avoid the veggie for your dogs, including:
- Nausea & Vomiting
Although feeding tomatillos to your dog in moderation may have fewer risks involved, that doesn’t mean there won’t be any effects. It is entirely possible for your dog to become nauseous and start vomiting even after consuming a small amount.
However, if your dog has consumed tomatillos, the result will eventually depend on how their system reacts and the amount consumed. Hence, a dog’s reaction to tomatillos will vary, irrespective of the breed and size.
Ultimately, it’s better to avoid tomatillos, and nausea and vomiting factor is one good reason to change your perspective on the relationship between dogs and tomatillos.
- Less Nutritional Value
Whether it’s veggies, meat, or treats, every pet parent tries their best to focus on the nutritional value of that particular food. Does it improve my dog’s health? Will it harm their digestive system? These are questions we all ask as pet parents.
So, when looking into tomatillos, it’s essential to ask, ‘is it really worth feeding my dog?’. While it’s not entirely dangerous and comes with certain benefits, there isn’t any significant nutritional impact of tomatillos on your dog’s health.
Moreover, when served in small amounts (which is the preferred serving), your dog will not retain any nutrients you may think they’re getting from the vegetable. Even if the vegetable is compatible with humans nutritional-wise, your dog won’t get the same benefits. Instead, it can end up harming their health.
- Upset digestive system
Dogs have an extremely sensitive digestive system, and dogs being explorers does not help in this case. Hence, if you have tomatillos around the garden or kitchen, you must be mindful of your dog.
This is because tomatillos can negatively trigger your dog’s digestive system. The toxin of tomatillos can be instantly absorbed into their bloodstream, thus, inducing a stressful tummy. This can also lead to dehydration from loss of body fluid, which in turn can induce hypovolemia and, eventually, hypovolemia shock.
Symptoms of Tomatillos Poisoning to Look Out For
Yes, we’ve already established that tomatillos may not be the best option for your dog, but on a brighter note, solanine poisoning among dogs is quite rare. However, the risks of tomatoes are very real.
So, if you find anything suspicious after your dog has eaten raw or cooked tomatillos, here are some symptoms to watch out for:
- Cardiac effects like irregular heartbeats or arrhythmic
- Upset stomach
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of coordination
- Tremors
Some dogs may also display signs of allergy, but again, this type of reaction is quite rare. Such allergic reactions include coughing, swelling, wheezing, breathing difficulty, and hives.
Fortunately, the reactions mentioned above are pretty rare, and the poisoning is treatable. Additionally, your dog will likely have to consume large amounts of tomatoes, particularly the leaves and stems, to face this issue.
However, even eating small quantities of vegetables can induce minor symptoms such as stomach distress. So, if your dog has consumed any amount, it’s always best to watch out for these symptoms to be on the safer side. If you find such symptoms in your dog, call your vet or take them to a vet immediately.
Wrapping Up Can Dogs Eat Tomatillos
Whether you’re planning for a new diet or trying something new for your furry companion’s daily meal, it’s crucial to check the compatibility of that particular food with your dog’s system to avoid health risks.
This means checking veggies as well. Although vegetables are considered a staple food when it comes to healthy living, dogs have different reactions than humans.
That said, we hope our post has answered your long-awaited question of “can dogs eat tomatillos,” along with providing helpful information on its relation with dogs.
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