JohnnyCan French bulldog eat tomatoes? We want what’s best for our Frenchies, and eating human food can, at times, be surprisingly beneficial for them.
But sometimes, a simple question requires a more complicated answer.
So, keep scrolling to find out what the more complicated answer is.
Are Tomatoes Safe For French Bulldogs?
As stated above, French bulldogs can eat tomatoes – but they need to be ripe red tomatoes that resemble the ones in the picture above.
Then again, some parts of tomatoes should never be given to a Frenchie due to high amounts of a toxic substance called tomatine. Those parts are steamed leaves and roots.
You can feed an adult Frenchie bulldog a tomato from time to time – but French bulldog puppies shouldn’t be allowed to have any. Even ripe tomatoes have a little bit of tomatine in them, and their immune system is still in a phase of development.
Are Tomatoes Good For Our Frenchies?
Since there are certain dangers in feeding our furry buddies this veggie – we know it’s technically a fruit, but old habits die hard – are there any benefits worth noting, too?
Yes, tomatoes are low-calorie and high in fiber, which helps with digestion. They have a lot of antioxidants, like vitamin A – which helps with eyesight – vitamin C, which reduces the risk of heart disease and helps wounds to heal faster, and vitamin B12, known to help with maintaining normal functioning of the brain.
It also contains lycopene, which is great for cancer prevention, beta-carotene, which improves cognition, and potassium – an ally in maintaining healthy blood pressure, muscles, and nerves.
They contain a high amount of tomatine that, as we already said, is very toxic for a French bulldog. That amount goes up to 5%. So, if you have any unripe green tomatoes in your garden and your Frenchie ate some, take it to the vet immediately.
Check out if everything is fine and whether the vet needs to take some extra steps as a precaution.
Speaking of carotene, carrots are also good for French Bulldogs, if taken in moderation.
Can French Bulldogs Eat Tomato Soup, Sauce, Or Canned Tomatoes?
Tomato Soup: If you’re making an unappealing, virtually tasteless soup with plain tomatoes – and no additional ingredients – then yes. But if you plan on adding some garlic, onions, dairy, and other spices, then it’s a big NO.
Tomato Sauce: Yes – but only if you use ripe tomatoes to make the sauce and don’t add any spices, mainly onions, and garlic – which are known to be toxic to our canine companions. Salt and pepper are to be avoided, too.
Canned Tomatoes: Canned food is generally pretty unhealthy and contains a long list of preservatives and additives, on top of higher-than-average sodium levels. It’s not healthy for humans – let alone bulldogs.
Possible Side Effects Of Feeding French Bulldogs Tomatoes
Here’s the thing:
An occasional tomato from time to time is fine – as long as it’s ripe – but sometimes the Frenchie’s digestive system might not agree with them.
The worst-case scenario here would be an upset stomach. However, if your pup vomits, has diarrhea, or seems a bit disoriented, take it to the vet. These are some of the signs of an allergic reaction.
Can Frenchies Eat Tomatoes - FAQs
Let’s go over some of the most popular, frequently asked questions. It’s essential to take everything into consideration – not only to educate ourselves but other Frenchie owners, as well.
Q: What’s the nutritional value of a tomato?
Below, you’ll find the nutritional value of raw tomatoes per 100 grams; we haven’t included canned tomatoes since they’re not healthy for French bulldogs.
- 18.0 Calories
- 0.7 Grams of Dietary Fiber
- 2.0 mg. of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- 42.0 mg. of Omega-6 Fatty Acids
- 0.9 grams of Protein
- 2.5 grams of Sugar
- 4.0 grams of carbohydrates
- 489 IU of Vitamin A
- 22.8 mg. of Vitamin C
- 0.6 mg. of Vitamin E
- 2.8 mcg of Vitamin K
- 6.9 mg. of Choline
- 13.0 mcg. of Folate
- 0.5 mg. of Niacin
- 0.1 mg of Vitamin B6
- 11.0 mg. of Calcium
- 0.7 mg. of Iron
- 9.0 mg. of Magnesium
- 28.0 mg. of Phosphorus
- 218 mg. of Potassium
- 11.0 mg of Sodium
- 0.1 mg. of Manganese
- 9.0 mg. of Phytosterols
- 94.3 grams of Water
Q: What dosage is healthy?
It depends on the size of your Frenchie. Since it’s a medium to small-sized breed, general feeding recommendations would be no more than one small tomato a week – cut into tiny slices.
If your Frenchie is a bit larger, you can give it two smaller tomatoes a week. If your Frenchie is trying red tomatoes for the first time, offer it just a slice or two, so you can check its reaction.
Q: What are the symptoms of a canine allergic reaction?
French bulldogs are not usually allergic to tomatoes. However, it does happen.
If you notice these symptoms, contact your vet and stop feeding your Frenchie tomatoes immediately:
- Itching skin
- Paw licking
- Inflamed skin
- Vomiting or nausea
- Gas
- Diarrhea
- Growling stomach
These are the most common symptoms. Please contact your vet if you have noticed anything unusual – even if we didn’t list it above.
Conclusion: Can I Give My French Bulldog Tomatoes?
You can, unless they’re allergic, young – as in, puppies – have easily upset stomachs or some other digestive issues.
French bulldogs should only have a ripe red tomato as an occasional treat. And even then, only if you’ve removed stems, leaves, and roots since they’re highly toxic – just like green tomatoes.
