Can Cats Eat Tomato Soup? (No & What’s about Toxicity?)

It was yesterday evening when I was having my dinner and suddenly my little kitty started meowing and following my every move. I knew she wanted some food so I decided to give her a little bit of my soup.

But then I started thinking, can cats really eat tomato soup? Are there any dangers that come with it? So, I did some research and here is what I found out.

No, cats should not eat tomato soup. The acidity in tomatoes can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats. Additionally, the tomato plant is poisonous to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If your cat ingests any part of the tomato plant, including the soup, contact your veterinarian immediately.

In this blog post I’ll be discussing in more detail the dangers of feeding your cat tomato soup, as well as some other foods that you should avoid giving to your feline friend. So, keep reading to learn more!

Is Tomato Soup Toxic to Cats?

While I was doing my research I also came across the term “tomato soup toxicity” and wasn’t quite sure what it meant. Tomato soup toxicity is the result of a cat ingesting too much of the tomatine compound found in tomatoes.

Tomatine is a toxic alkaloid that can cause a number of problems in cats, including gastrointestinal upset, heart arrhythmias, and even death.

While tomatine toxicity is rare, it’s still important to be aware of the potential dangers of feeding your cat tomato soup. If you think your cat has ingested too much of the tomatine compound, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Is it Safe to Feed my Cat Tomato Soup?

No, it is not safe to feed your cat tomato soup. Tomato soup contains high levels of acidity which can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats.

Additionally, the Tomato plant contains a toxic compound called solanine which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even death in cats.

If you are looking for a safe way to give your cat a delicious treat, try steamed chicken or tuna instead. These foods are low in acidity and provide a healthy source of protein for your feline friend.

Ingredients of Tomato Sauce

It’s good to know what ingredients are in tomato soup before feeding it to your cat. Here I’ll list some of the most common ingredients found in tomato soup, as well as their potential dangers to cats.

1. Onions and garlic

These two ingredients are actually more dangerous to cats than the tomatoes themselves. Both onions and garlic can cause anemia in cats, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.

2. Tomatoes

As I mentioned before, tomatoes are acidic and can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats. Additionally, the tomato plant is poisonous to cats and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

3. Cream or milk

I know some people like to add cream or milk to their tomato soup, but this is actually a bad idea for cats. Milk and cream can cause diarrhea in cats, so it’s best to avoid them as well.

4. Salt

Salt is another ingredient that can be harmful to cats. Too much salt can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, so it’s best to avoid adding salt to your cat’s food.

5. Spices

While spices are not necessarily harmful to cats, they can cause gastrointestinal upset. So, it’s best to avoid adding them to your cat’s food as well.

Why you should not Feed Tomato Soup to Cats?

So after a bit of research, it turns out that tomato soup is not a good idea to feed your cat for a number of reasons. Here I’ll go over some of the main dangers that come with feeding your cat tomato soup.

Can cause gastrointestinal upset in cats

Tomatoes are acidic and when ingested in large amounts, they can cause stomach issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, the acidity can irritate the lining of the stomach and lead to more serious problems such as ulcers.

The tomato plant is poisonous to cats

Not only are tomatoes themselves acidic and potentially harmful to cats, but the entire tomato plant is poisonous to them. This includes the leaves, stems, and even the soup itself. If your cat ingests any part of the tomato plant, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, it can even lead to death.

So, as you can see, there are a number of dangers that come with feeding your cat tomato soup. If you think your cat has ingested any part of the tomato plant, it’s important to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Symptoms of Tomato Soup Toxicity in Cats

The symptoms of tomatine toxicity can vary depending on the amount of tomatine that was ingested. However, some of the most common symptoms include:

Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea)

Yes, tomatoes can cause stomach upset in cats, even when they haven’t ingested too much of the tomatine compound. If your cat is vomiting or has diarrhea after eating tomato soup, it’s important to contact your veterinarian.

Heart arrhythmias

Tomatine can also cause heart arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms. If your cat’s heart is beating too fast or slow, it could be a sign of tomatine toxicity.

Death

In severe cases, tomatine toxicity can lead to death. If your cat is showing any signs of tomatine toxicity, it’s important to contact your veterinarian immediately.

Treatment for Tomato Soup Toxicity in Cats

Here I’ll go over some of the most common treatments for tomatine toxicity in cats.

Gastrointestinal decontamination

If your cat has ingested too much of the tomatine compound, the first step will be to remove it from their system. This can be done through a process called gastrointestinal decontamination. This involves giving your cat medication to make them vomit and then giving them activated charcoal to absorb the toxins.

Intravenous fluids

After the tomatine has been removed from their system, your cat will likely be dehydrated. Because of this, they’ll need to receive intravenous fluids to help replenish their fluids.

Monitoring

Once your cat is home, it’s important to monitor them closely for any changes in their condition. If you notice any changes, it’s important to contact your veterinarian immediately.

The Summary

In short, you should not feed your cat tomato soup because it can cause gastrointestinal upset and even heart arrhythmias. If your cat has ingested any part of the tomato plant, it’s important to contact your veterinarian immediately.

There is no specific treatment for tomatine toxicity, but treatment may involve gastrointestinal decontamination and intravenous fluids.