Although goats are known for eating many different foodstuffs, especially the thorny and tough plant materials that over livestock leave, they are in no way immune to the many poisonous and toxic plants out there, including tomatoes.
While goats can safely eat the ripe fruit of tomato plants, ingesting the plant itself is a big mistake that can result in toxic reactions and death.
But why is the tomato fruit okay but the plant itself dangerous? We will answer that question and many more in this short post on all things tomatoes and goats.
Is Tomato Good For Goats? Risks Involved
Tomatoes are part of the Solanaceae plant family, also called the Nightshades, which are notorious for their toxic plant compound contents.
Nightshade plants can contain any mix of these common plant toxins:
- Steroidal alkaloids
- Saponins
- Nitrates
- Tomatine
Steroidal alkaloids cause deadly gastrointestinal issues and hypotension when ingested, saponins are internal irritants, nitrates are toxic when ingested in high amounts, and tomatines are glycoalkaloids that cause abdominal pain, weakness and confusion amongst other symptoms.
In short, ingesting tomato plants can result in severe diarrhea, kidney failure, excessive salivation and coma: a big no-no for your goats!
Okay, so now that we are all on the same page about the natural but toxic compounds found within tomato plants, it’s worth mentioning that these toxins are NOT present in ripe tomato fruit.
That’s right, eating ripe tomatoes poses no threat to livestock as the red fruit contains no toxic or harmful compounds!
Watch these goats enjoying juicy red tomatoes for a good laugh!
Tomato Fruit For Goats: Nutritional Information
Tomato fruits themselves have a very high water content (94.7% water), as well as a modest list of minerals and vitamins to offer, including:
- Potassium
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
- Biotin
Tomatoes also offer a surprising list of natural antioxidants such as:
- Alpha-lipoic acid
- Lycopene
- Choline
- Folic acid
- Beta carotene
- Lutein
All in all, ripe tomatoes are a great, juicy treat for your goats on any given day. However, note that tomatoes offer just 1g of fiber per 100g serving and come nowhere close to providing your goats with the coarse, high fiber diet they require.
If you choose to offer your goats tomatoes, do so in moderation and always alongside unlimited amounts of high fiber hay and a foraged diet.
Are Cherry Tomatoes Good For Goats
Cherry tomatoes contain more overall water and carbohydrates, plus an extra gram of fiber, than their common roma tomato counterparts.
Other than that, they offer a similar suite of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants as all other tomatoes.
As such, cherry tomatoes are perfectly fine to offer your goats. Actually, your goats are sure to love them because of their extra juiciness and small size.
In our own experience, our goats have always loved when we offer them cherry tomatoes. One billie of ours has even gotten quite good at snapping them out of the air!
Are Tomato Plants Toxic To Goats
Yes, tomato plants themselves, meaning ALL green parts, are toxic to goats and other livestock.
Never feed your goats any part of a tomato plant, as they will be in serious risk of death due to the toxic compounds within.
Can Goats Eat Tomato Leaves
No, as a green part of the tomato plant, the leaves of tomatoes contain the above mentioned toxins that can result in serious poisoning and even death in livestock.
Can Goats Eat Green or Unripe Tomatoes
Many recipes exist for eating green tomatoes, so you may think they are safe for your goats. However, while the green, unripe fruit contains tomato toxins in amounts that the human body can handle (especially if cooked), livestock cannot metabolize any of the toxins, even in small amounts!
So offering your goats green tomatoes is a bad idea and is simply asking for a negative reaction or death.
Note that cooking the green tomatoes does not make them safe for livestock!
What Happens If A Goat Eats Tomato Plant Or Leaves
If your goats get into tomato plants and ingest a few mouthfuls of the stems and/or leaves, they are likely to suffer from:
- Indigestion
- Kidney Failure
- Fatigue
- Coma
- Dehydration
- Liver issues
How To Ensure Your Goats Don’t Eat Tomatoes
One of the most effective ways to ensure your goats do NOT eat tomato plants is to provide them with a rotating pasture space away from your garden or tomato growing area.
This will keep your goats satisfied and curious about the area and plants within their different pastures rather than your garden, where they could potentially eat harmful veggies such as tomato or onion.
A key factor, of course, is setting up strong boundaries and fencing. We have worked with both movable livestock fencing as well as permanent pasture fencing with success.
Although I must say our more curious goats have gotten out a few times and nibbled at our flower beds, but that is life on the homestead!
Frequently Asked Questions Related To Can Goats Have Tomatoes
What Vegetables Can Goats Not Eat?
There are a number of vegetables and plants that contain natural toxins dangerous to goats, some examples include: garlic, onion, tomatoes, and avocado.
To learn more about what vegetables goats cannot eat, browse our goat post archive!
Can Goats Eat Grapes?
Yes, goats can eat grapes. However, grapes are one of the most sugary fruits and can encourage indigestion, bloating, and bad eating habits in goats. For this reason, we opt for healthier and less sugary fruits for our goats such as plums.
Final Thoughts On Can Goats Eat Tomatoes
Ripe, red tomatoes are a fine treat for goats on any given day, especially when they are fresh from your garden!
However, do not ever allow your goats to ingest the green parts of the tomato plant, including stems, leaves, roots, and unripe tomato fruits. All green parts of the tomato plant are toxic to goats and can cause death if ingested in high amounts.
If your goats do ingest any amount of tomato plant, call your local vet immediately!