Can Goats Eat Tomatoes? (Revealed!)

The answer to this question is yes, goats are able to eat tomatoes. They cannot, however, eat any other part of the tomato plant as it is toxic to them and could be fatal. Goats should also only eat tomatoes in small amounts. It is ok to feed your goat a small number of tomatoes as a treat, but this shouldn’t be done too often and should never be done in replacement for a regular diet.

Tomatoes can make great treats for your goats but it is important to ensure that you don’t feed them too frequently and that your goats have a regular nutritious diet.

But are tomatoes harmful to goats, what is the nutritional value of tomatoes for goats, and how should you prepare tomatoes for your goats?

We are going to explore all of these questions and more in this article as we dive deeper into the topic of whether can goats eat tomatoes.

Let’s get into it!

Are tomatoes harmful to goats?

Tomatoes are not toxic for goats, but the other parts of the plant are.

Tomatoes are part of the nightshade family of plants that are native to South America which are extremely toxic for both animals (livestock) and children.

Nightshade plants all contain various concentrations of a compound called alkaloids.

Alkaloids are dangerous in both small and large quantities, and simply consuming a small amount can lead to negative consequences.

Negative impacts of alkaloids

Alkaloids impact various aspects of the metabolic system and are dangerous to consume.

Some of these impacts include itching, nausea, vomiting, mild gastrointestinal perturbations, and eyesight issues developing.

Overconsumption of alkaloids can even lead to death.

While the tomato plant is toxic for goats and are dangerous for them to eat, the tomatoes themselves are perfectly safe and make an excellent treat for your goat.

What nutritional value do tomatoes have for goats?

While commonly thought off, and treated as, a vegetable, tomatoes are actually technically fruits.

This is because fruits are classified botanically as being formed from flowers, having seeds, and assisting with a plant’s reproductive process which all apply to tomatoes.

Regardless of whether they are a fruit or vegetable, tomatoes are delicious and versatile and are packed with vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for your goats.

Tomatoes are a good source of fibre and have a high-water content.

They also contain vitamin C, potassium, vitamin K1, and vitamin B9.

Good source of fiber and high water content

The fiber and high water content found in tomatoes help to improve your goat’s digestion and immune system.

It also works to reduce constipation.

Vitamin C

Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and is found in many fruits and vegetables.

It is very useful for the growth, repair, and development of tissues in the body.

It also aids in the absorption of iron and helps to boost immunity against illness which can be very beneficial to goats.

Potassium

Potassium’s main purpose is the regulation of fluid balance in the body.

It is beneficial to goats as it lowers blood pressure, improves bone density, and helps to protect against the loss of muscle mass.

Vitamin K1

Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone is an essential vitamin for the health of your goat’s bone metabolism.

This helps protect their bones from fractures and is important for their overall bone health and functioning.

Vitamin B9

One of the B vitamins, vitamin B9, also known as folate, is a water-soluble vitamin that helps to maintain a healthy digestive system.

It also positively impacts the eyes and improves energy levels.

This vitamin is lesser known but can be very beneficial to your goat.

Antioxidants

Tomatoes contain a number of potent antioxidants, such as lycopene, chlorogenic acid, and beta carotene, that support healthy cell tissues throughout your goat’s body and give tomatoes their red tint.

Antioxidants also help to improve heart health and are important to include in your goat’s diet.

Can goats eat tomato plants?

No, you should never let your goat eat tomato plants as they are nightshade plants and are extremely toxic to goats.

It is ok to let them eat the main tomato fruit, but you should avoid the plants at all costs!

Can goats eat tomato leaves?

While goats love to chew on leaves and leaves are some of their favourite treats, you should never let them eat the leaves of the tomato plant.

Like the main body of the plant, the leaves are also extremely toxic for goats and contain a large percentage of alkaloids.

Can goats eat tomato stems?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is also no.

While you may think the stems of the tomato plant are safe, the truth is that they are just as toxic as the rest of the plant and should not be consumed under any circumstance.

The only edible part of the tomato plant is the tomato fruit itself.

How should you prepare tomatoes for your goat?

Tomatoes make an excellent treat for your goat and they are some of the most versatile vegetables available.

When giving tomatoes to your goats, the first thing you must do is give them a good wash to remove any residual herbicides and pesticides.

Herbicides and pesticides are extremely toxic to goats and, if ingested, are potentially fatal.

When preparing tomatoes for your goats it is best to keep the preparation as simple as possible.

This will make it easier to integrate it into their diets and will also make it easier for them to get accustomed to eating it, especially if it is their first time.

You should not feed your goats tomatoes too frequently or in large quantities, however.

When giving goats treats it should be in moderation.

Whole

Tomatoes are small enough that your goat can eat it whole without worrying about choking on it.

Goats love chomping on tomatoes and will happily eat the entire thing if you give it to them whole.

Just make sure you wash it off first!

Sliced

If you don’t want to give your goat an entire tomato or are trying to share a tomato among several goats, a great way to feed them is to slice up the tomato into discs.

This will make the tomatoes easier to eat and will allow you to better portion and monitor how much tomatoes your goats are actually eating.

It is important not to overfeed your goat’s tomatoes and this is a good method to help with that.

Lightly roasted

Roasted tomatoes are a popular and delicious dish and can be an interesting and fresh way to feed your goats tomatoes.

It is important to not overly roast the tomato, however, as this will create a bitter taste and an unsavoury flavour.

Your goats will not want to eat them if you overcook them and you should also allow them to cool before feeding it to them.

Mixed in with their regular meals

A good way to feed your goats tomatoes is to simply integrate it into their regular feed such as hay.

Cut the tomato into small pieces or crush it, and then add it to your goat’s feed.

Can goats eat tomato ketchup?

One of the most popular forms of tomatoes is ketchup.

Ketchup, however, contains elements within it other than tomatoes.

Therefore, we wouldn’t recommend giving ketchup to your goats.

If you want to give them tomatoes in a liquid form you could instead give them a tomato sauce that is made up purely of tomatoes and maybe some seasonings.

Can pygmy goats eat tomatoes?

Yes, pygmy goats are able to eat tomatoes.

The main tomato fruit is perfectly edible for all goats to consume and makes a great treat for them.

As mentioned above, however, you should limit the quantity and frequency with which you feed tomatoes to your goats and should never feed them the leaves, stems, or any part of the plant as it is extremely toxic to them and can be potentially fatal.

In conclusion, yes, goats can eat tomatoes.

Tomatoes are delicious, popular, and widely available.

They make an excellent treat for goats as they have a lot of vitamins and nutritional value within it.

Goats are picky eaters, however, so not every goat will like tomatoes.

If your goat doesn’t like tomatoes, then you shouldn’t force them to eat them.

There are a lot of other fruits and vegetables available that are suitable alternatives.

While tomatoes make an excellent treat, it should only be given to your goat in small quantities and shouldn’t be given to them too frequently.