Tomato

553 foods contain this ingredient

Vegetable

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About Tomato

Tomato appears in pet food mainly as tomato pomace, a byproduct that adds fiber and a small amount of antioxidants.

Tomato is commonly used in pet foods as a source of fiber, natural color/flavor and antioxidants (notably lycopene) and appears in forms like tomato pomace or dried tomato meal rather than as a primary protein. While ripe tomato components can provide vitamins and antioxidant benefits, they are not nutritionally essential for dogs or cats and green stems/leaves (and unripe fruit) contain solanine/tomatine that can be toxic; acidic or heavily seasoned tomato products may also cause stomach upset or contain added salt/sugar to avoid.

Related ingredients

Pomace Tomato Paste Tomato Pomace Tomato Puree

Derived from: tomato fruit or the skin, pulp and seed pomace left after processing
Primary role: fiber and antioxidant source

Why it's used

Formulators use tomato pomace largely for its fiber content, which can support stool quality and digestive regularity, and for lycopene and other antioxidant compounds naturally present in the fruit. It is used in small amounts as a supporting ingredient rather than a primary nutrient source.

Common concerns

Green plant parts and unripe fruit According to ASPCA Animal Poison Control, tomato plants and unripe green tomatoes contain solanine, and ingestion has been associated with gastrointestinal upset, weakness, and in some cases cardiac effects.
Ripe fruit differs from the plant ASPCA notes that tomatine levels drop substantially as the fruit ripens, so ripe tomato flesh is treated differently from the leaves, stems, and green fruit.
Added seasoning in human tomato products Seasoned or sauced tomato products intended for people can contain added salt, garlic, or onion, which is a separate consideration from plain tomato or tomato pomace used in formulated pet food.

Also relevant

Tomato pomace is regulated as a recognized feed ingredient rather than a novel additive, and its inclusion level in commercial diets is typically modest.

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