🐱 Can My Cat Eat TOMATO SOUP [and Other Tomato Products]?

Who doesn’t like tomato soup, should stop reading this article! I’m kidding, of course!

If you don’t like tomato soup or tomatoes in general, but it seems like your cat might like it, then you should stay with us for a while!

By the way, my cat loves canned fish in tomato sauce!

Tomatoes are said to have been introduced from South America and Mexico to Europe in the 16th century. Until the nineteenth century, tomatoes were considered poisonous because they belong to the same family as deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna).

Condensed tomato soup was the idea of Joseph Campbell (1897), and it was made by reducing the water in the can.

Regarding the consumption of tomatoes as such (ripe), tomato soup, canned fish in tomato sauce, dry tomatoes (with no spices), and tomato juice by cats, it is good to know that they are not toxic but can cause gastrointestinal problems if consumed in large quantities or in the long term.

On the other hand, ketchup, tomato sauce, and canned tomatoes are best to be avoided because they contain a lot of salt and sugar (ketchup) and can lead to various medical problems, including sodium poisoning.

Also, there are cats that are allergic to tomatoes. Therefore, it is recommended to keep them away from all the products that contain tomatoes. However, cats are carnivores and do not need tomatoes or other vegetables in their diet.

Let’s Talk More Detailed About Tomatoes, Tomato Products and Tomato Soup For Cats!

Can cats eat ripe tomatoes?

Ripe tomatoes are safe to eat, including cherry tomatoes. There are, however, cats that are allergic to tomatoes, but this condition is rare. These will show signs of itchy skin, runny eyes, sneezing, coughing.

Other cats may have an intolerance to tomatoes, which is not so common either.

If your cat likes tomatoes, then they should be offered as a treat – in small quantities and rarely.

What happens if a cat nibbles on a tomato plant (leaves, stems, etc.) and what to do?

Any part of the tomato plant (Solanumly copersicum), including the sepal and pedicel of each flower, and especially the leaves, toxic to cats; green tomatoes too – they contain tomatine, which is similar to solanine in potatoes. If you have seen your cat nibbling on the leaves of the tomato plant, stem, or green tomatoes (skin, pulp), go to the vet immediately. Consumption can be fatal, but it is very rare, most often having only serious medical implications – vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, etc.

The seeds and skin of the ripe tomatoes are ok for cats to consume, but I wouldn’t recommend it!

Are raw, cooked, dry, canned tomatoes poisonous to cats?

Unless are green, tomatoes in any form are not toxic to your beloved pet. Dry tomatoes can be consumed only if they do not contain any spices, such as hot chili peppers. Canned tomatoes are best to be avoided because they contain a lot of salt, and too much salt can cause sodium intoxication. Other than that, tomatoes can be consumed raw or cooked if your cat likes the taste.

Can cats have tomato soup?

As long as the soup does not contain garlic and onion, too much salt and oil, tomato soup can be considered a treat for your cat. But keep in mind that it should be treated as a delicious reward and not as a meal. Cats need to eat a diet based on meat! So, it is not a problem in giving your cat some tomato soup to taste once in a while.

Can cats have tomato basil soup?

Basil is not toxic to cats. Many cats are attracted to plants; some may even nibble a little on them out of sheer curiosity.

It is said that some cats eat grass before the rain comes, and this is due to a sudden change in the atmospheric pressure, which causes the stomach muscles to contract. (3)

If you see your cat nipping on the basil in the pot, which you keep for your delicious tomato soup, it is possible to eat it only to relieve its pain. Therefore, tomato basil soup is safe to be consumed by your cat, but only as a treat from time to time.

Can my cat eat canned tomato soup or tomato paste?

As with canned tomatoes, tomato paste and canned tomato soup contain high amounts of salt. Therefore, it is best to avoid giving your cat tomatoes that come in a can (paste, soup, or as such).

Can cats have tomatoes or tomato soup if they suffer from a medical condition?

Unless the cat is allergic to tomatoes, has an intolerance, or suffers from gastrointestinal problems, there is no reason why you shouldn’t give your cat a small bite if your cat loves them. Tomatoes do not interfere with any medical treatment; they are safe to consume if your cat is pregnant or has just undergone surgery.

For cats that suffer from gastritis and stomach ulcers is best to avoid offering them tomatoes because they are acidic and can worsen their condition.

Is tomato sauce good or bad for my cat?

I wouldn’t recommend giving your cat tomato sauce. Although is made out of ripe tomatoes, it also contains a lot of salt, and too much salt can lead to thirst, urination, seizures, and sodium poisoning in cats because they are sensitive to salt.

Can cats have ketchup?

Ketchup represents a very tasty toping for many of us, but is not recommended for cats. The main ingredients in ketchup are tomatoes, sugar, salt, spices, onion, garlic, and flavorings. Therefore, ketchup is not recommended to be offered to cats due to the high amount of sugar, onion, garlic, and salt. Overall, it is better to be avoided.

Can I give my cat tomato juice?

You freshly squeezed some tomatoes and you think if your cat can taste some? If it does not contain salt and is made out only of purely squeezed tomatoes, then it is safe for your cat, but in small quantities. Too much tomato juice can cause gastrointestinal imbalances.

Is it safe for cats to consume canned fish (sardines, tuna) in tomato sauce?

This is the only product my cat really enjoys when it comes to tomatoes! She absolutely adores canned sardines in tomato sauce. Although canned fish has salt in it, it seems that canned fish in tomato sauce is not that salty; probably the sweetness from the tomato sauce neutralizes the salty taste. Therefore, it is ok to give your cat one fish from the can once in a while as a delicious treat.

Also, always make sure your cat has enough fresh water to drink after it eats something salty. 

Safe alternatives

We have learnt that ripe or cooked tomatoes are not toxic for your cat if you use them as a treat once in a while. But my recommendation would be to buy or make at home some delicious treats that are designed especially for your cat’s digestive system. Don’t forget they are carnivores! They dream of meat day and night!

Additional FAQ’s About Cats & Soups

Can cats eat chicken soup?

It is ok for your cat to consume chicken soup, but make it without onion or garlic, and not too salty (preferably with no salt). Onions and garlic are poisonous to cats, so make sure you never give them food that contains those ingredients. Also, make sure you don’t give your cat chicken bones (any bones, if you ask me!). Chicken bones have thin walls and can break into small, sharp splinters that can lead to serious medical problems for your cat (making them to choke, block their intestinal tract, and in the most serious cases, cause intestinal perforation). Don’t play with chicken bones!

You can make your cat its own soup, where you will use chicken, carrots, peppers, the stalk of celery, water (no salt, no oil). After all the ingredients have boiled, let the soup cool, and serve your cat the resulted broth. There are cats that would eat the veggies too. You can give it the meat too, but in small quantities, because it is known that too much chicken meat can cause allergic dermatitis due to excess animal protein.

The same applies for chicken soup with noodles – as long as you don’t use garlic or onion in it, it is safe for your cat to consume. Pasta is not toxic to cats, but neither is it healthy. Excessive consumption of pasta can lead to gastrointestinal problems. So, a serving of chicken noodle soup wouldn’t hurt your cat, but don’t make it a habit.

In some medical conditions, your veterinarian may recommend you to give your cat chicken soup for several days. But these cases are just exceptions. Please don’t make a habit of giving your cat chicken soup (with or without noodles) often. They need to eat solid food for their digestive system to work properly. Too much watery food can lead to diarrhea and other nutritional imbalances.

Can my cat eat potato soup?

Green raw potatoes are known to be toxic for cats, as well as the green parts of the plant (Solanum tuberosum) – they contain solanine – a poisonous glycoalkaloid that, if eaten in large quantities, can cause violent gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Cooked potatoes are safe for your cat to consume, including potato soup. Cooking destroys the toxin, making them safe for consumption.

Other ways you can serve your cat potatoes are boiled, mashed, or baked, but in small quantities and without seasoning.

If you have seen your cat nibble on a potato plant or have taken a potato peel from the floor, take it to a veterinarian right away!

Can my cat eat mushroom soup?

Researchers say cats should not eat mushrooms. They also state that cats are attracted by the smell of wild mushrooms – more precisely, to the proteins in the wild mushrooms,which represent the “umami” flavor.

Veterinarians recommend feeding your cat protein that is obtained from meat, not mushrooms, as these are often poisonous to your pet. Signs of mushroom poisoning appear 8-24 hours after ingestion and include decreased appetite, vomiting, melena (black stool – due to digested blood), apathy, jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, which is due to liver failure), and finally the death of the animal.

Safe mushrooms for consumption are the ones you buyfromthe market, but even so, it is good to avoid them in your cat’s diet.

If you made mushroom soup and your cat ate a little, I don’t think there’s any reason to be alarmed, but it’s best to avoid giving your cat as much as possible to eat mushroom soup and mushrooms in general.

Can cats consume bean soup?

Beans are known to contain many essential proteins and vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

As for cats, if vegetarians can replace meat with beans or lentils, this is not the case for cats. Being obligate carnivores, they need to eat meat, but a small portion of beans from time to time would not hurt. However, do not give large amounts at once because it could lead to gastrointestinal problems.

The same goes for bean soup, as long as it’s without onions or garlic, without salt and oil, it’s safe for your fluffy little friend.

Conclusions

Your cat can safely taste tomatoes or tomato products like soups and juices. Another thing worth mentioning is that some cat food brands have tomatoes in their list of ingredients, but in small quantities, so it wouldn’t cause any harm to your beloved pet.

Never give your cat green tomatoes, and if you see it nibbling on your tomato plant from the garden, take it to a veterinarian urgently.

Also, avoid giving your cat any tomato products that contain garlic or onions.

Too much tomato soup can cause gastrointestinal problems.

Canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, and canned tomato soup are best to be avoided because they contain high amounts of salt.

Ketchup it is best to stay on top of our hot dogs and not in our cat’s diet because it contains too much sugar, among others.

Cats suffering from gastritis or stomach ulcers should not eat tomatoes or tomato products because they are acidic and can worsen their condition.

I hope you enjoyed learning about cats and tomatoes.

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Happy Cat Care!