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Ingredient file // Fruit or vegetable

Dried Tomatoes

Real tomato, with modest work in kibble

Dried tomatoes are ripe tomato fruit with most of the water removed. They add tomato flavor, color and some fiber to kibble. Their lycopene content does not prove an antioxidant health benefit for dogs.

Dried Tomatoes
What it is
Ripe tomato fruit dried into pieces or powder, retaining the fruit rather than only the pressed residue.
Made from
Ripe tomato fruit
Main job
Flavor and color
Typical amount
Not published
Watch for
Poor drying or damp storage
Not the same as
Dried tomato pomace

Straight answer

Is Dried Tomatoes safe for dogs?

Read its place, then judge the food

Find dried tomatoes on the ingredient list and look at what sits above them. Far down, they add a little tomato flavor and fiber. High up, they contribute more of the recipe, including sugars. Judge the full food and its nutritional adequacy, not a lycopene promise.

Why it is in the food
Flavor and color

Our read // In our catalog

In 1 of every 37 foods we track

Share of foods that list it

3%

86 of the 3,204 foods with an ingredient list on file, from 10 brands. 55 dry dog food, 31 wet dog food.

Each square is 1% of the catalog

Where it sits on the label

Median position 15. In the top five of 0 foods, so it is usually a minor ingredient.

Top five List position, heaviest first

Above the salt

37%

Usually listed after the salt, which caps it at roughly 1% of the recipe in 63% of foods.

Price per lb

Foods with it $3.44
All foods $3.25

Median of the cheapest bag price across 47 priced foods, 6% above the catalog. The price is the food's, not the ingredient's.

Who leans on it

37%

of the foods that list it are from Nature's Logic. 10 brands use it in total.

What it is

How it is made

Growers have ripe tomatoes that do not meet fresh-market grades. Fresh fruit spoils quickly and costs more to transport while wet. Drying removes water and gives some of that fruit a longer-lasting use.2,4

  1. 01 // Source Ripe fruit Ripe tomatoes provide the whole fruit, including pulp, rather than the residue left after pressing.
  2. 02 // Process Sorted, washed, cut Damaged fruit is sorted out, the rest washed and sliced, 8 mm thick in one study, so water can leave.
  3. 03 // Process Water removed Hot air removes water. In one experiment, temperature changed lycopene content; drying time did not significantly change it.
  4. 04 // Output Dried tomatoes The dried fruit reaches a food maker as pieces or powder with tomato pulp still present.

What is in it

Composition, dry matter

44

% sugars

Sugar in the OECD profile of sun-dried tomatoes. It helps explain their taste, but a small addition changes little in the finished food.

Sugars 44%3
Total dietary fiber 14.4%3
Protein 16.5%3
Fat 3.5%3

These are values for sun-dried fruit, not a guaranteed kibble ingredient specification. Drying temperature changed measured lycopene and color in one experiment; drying time had no significant effect on lycopene.3,4

Why it is in the bag

What the manufacturer gets

  1. 01

    Adds tomato flavor

    Removing water concentrates tomato solids in a dry ingredient. The fruit brings its own sugars and red pigment to a recipe without adding fresh tomato's moisture.3,4

  2. 02

    Adds some fiber

    Sun-dried tomatoes contain dietary fiber. Whether that changes a dog's stool depends on the amount used, which an ingredient list does not disclose.3,6

  3. 03

    Uses surplus fruit

    Tomatoes rejected from the fresh market spoil quickly and cost more to ship while wet. Drying gives some of that crop a longer-lasting outlet.2

How much The sources reviewed report composition but no standard dog food inclusion level for dried tomatoes.3

Our read // The claims

What the evidence supports

Strong: controlled studies in dogs agree. Some: small or mixed dog data. Thin: mechanism or lab work only. None: nothing, or the evidence points the other way.

  1. Brands say

    Dried tomatoes provide dietary fiber

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The OECD profile lists 14.40% total dietary fiber on a dry matter basis. That measures what the ingredient contains. It does not show that a kibble recipe contains enough dried tomato to change stool.3,6

  2. Brands say

    Lycopene protects your dog from disease

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    A canine nutrition review describes lycopene tests on osteosarcoma cells in a lab. Cell results do not show disease protection in dogs eating dried tomatoes, and the amount of lycopene in a finished kibble is unknown.1,4

  3. Brands say

    Dried tomatoes improve digestion

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The OECD's 14.40% dietary fiber figure is a composition measurement, not a dog feeding result. It cannot show that the amount of dried tomato used in kibble improves digestion.3

  4. Owners say

    Tomatoes are toxic to dogs

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    ASPCA lists ripe fruit as non-toxic while warning about the tomato plant. Feedipedia reports that tomatine disappears as fruit ripens. A blanket warning confuses ripe fruit with green plant material.2,5

  5. Critics say

    Dried tomatoes are just filler

    Outruns the evidence

    Evidence

    1. Strong
    2. Some
    3. Thin
    4. None

    The OECD profile records both sugars and dietary fiber in dried fruit. Those solids contribute to a recipe. Its health value is easy to oversell, but calling the ingredient empty ignores what it contains.3

Straight answers

What owners ask

  1. Q01

    Is it just filler?

    No

    Dried tomatoes bring tomato solids, including sugars and fiber. They are not a major protein ingredient, and the label does not reveal their amount. Read their place on the list before judging their contribution.3,6

  2. Q02

    Is it tomato pomace?

    No

    Pomace is the skins, seeds and pulp left after tomatoes are pressed for other products. Dried tomatoes refer to dried fruit. Pomace has lost much of the fruit's juice and pulp.3

  3. Q03

    Will lycopene protect my dog?

    No proof

    Lab tests on canine cells do not show a health benefit from feeding dried tomatoes. Drying conditions affect the ingredient, and an ingredient list gives no lycopene amount for the finished food.1,4,6

Who uses it

Brands, best sellers and the company it keeps

Top brands, by foods that list it

  1. Nature's Logic 32 / 32
  2. Nulo 21 / 117
  3. Nutro 13 / 71
  4. Cesar 6 / 45
  5. Merrick 4 / 107
  6. Health Extension 3 / 47
  7. Annamaet 3 / 20
  8. Purina 2 / 185
  9. Rachael Ray Nutrish 1 / 19
  10. Abound 1 / 20

Foods that list it / all the brand's recipes we track.

Amazon best sellers that list it

  1. #76 Nutro Natural Choice Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

Rank on Amazon's dog food best seller list, checked October 2026.

Usually listed with, share of the foods that list it

  1. Mixed Tocopherols 71%
  2. Chicken Fat 42%
  3. Chicken 36%
  4. Montmorillonite Clay 33%
  5. Turkey Meal 31%
  6. Sweet Potatoes 30%
  7. Yeast Culture 29%
  8. Peas 28%
  9. Chicken Broth 23%
  10. Turkey 22%
  11. Dried Egg Product 22%
  12. Chicken Meal 22%

On the shelf

Foods that list Dried Tomatoes

86 foods in our catalog list it. These 60 list it highest on the label.

Abound Beef, Carrot & Tomato in Gravy Wet Dog FoodAboundAbound Beef, Carrot & Tomato in Gravy Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 6 on the labelNutro Tender Beef Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNutroNutro Tender Beef Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 7 on the labelAnnamaet Original Senior Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Original Senior Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelAnnamaet Re-juvenate Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Re-juvenate Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Glazed Chicken Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Glazed Chicken Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 11 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Lamb & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Lamb & Chickpeas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Sardine Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 11 on the labelMerrick Backcountry Slow-Cooked BBQ Chopped Lamb Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Backcountry Slow-Cooked BBQ Chopped Lamb Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Chopped Pork Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Chopped Pork Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 12 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Turkey & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the label
Show 48 more
Annamaet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Dog FoodAnnamaetAnnamaet Sensitive Skin and Stomach Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 10 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Pure Naturals Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Beef Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Beef Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Venison Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Venison Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Turkey Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Turkey Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Sardine Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Sardine Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Pork Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Pork Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Lamb Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Lamb Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Chicken Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Beef Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Beef Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Pork Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Pork Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Canine Beef Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 12 on the labelNutro Tender Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pea Stew Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNutroNutro Tender Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pea Stew Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 13 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Small Breed Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Large Breed Puppy Salmon & Turkey Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Large Breed Puppy Salmon & Turkey Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Adult Trim Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Adult Trim Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Small Breed Salmon & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Small Breed Salmon & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Senior Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Senior Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Rabbit Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Rabbit Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Land & Sea Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Land & Sea Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 13 on the labelMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Braised Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodMerrickMerrick Slow-Cooked BBQ Braised Beef Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelCesar Filets in Gravy Rotisserie Chicken Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Filets in Gravy Rotisserie Chicken Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelNutro Puppy Tender Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pea Recipe Bites in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNutroNutro Puppy Tender Chicken, Sweet Potato & Pea Recipe Bites in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 14 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Large Breed Turkey & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Large Breed Turkey & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelNulo FreeStyle Puppy Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo FreeStyle Puppy Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Duck & Salmon Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Grain-Free Canine Duck & Salmon Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelNature’s Logic Canine Duck & Salmon Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Canine Duck & Salmon Meal Feast Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 14 on the labelCesar Filets in Gravy Turkey Filets Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Filets in Gravy Turkey Filets Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelNutro Roasted Turkey, Potato & Pea Stew Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNutroNutro Roasted Turkey, Potato & Pea Stew Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelNutro Puppy Tender Beef, Pea & Carrot Bites in Gravy Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNutroNutro Puppy Tender Beef, Pea & Carrot Bites in Gravy Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 15 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Salmon & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 15 on the labelNature’s Logic Original Canine Grain Free Dry Kibble: Beef Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Original Canine Grain Free Dry Kibble: Beef Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 15 on the labelNature’s Logic Pure Naturals Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Pure Naturals Grain-Free Chicken Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 15 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Canine Red Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Canine Red Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 15 on the labelCesar Puppy Filets in Gravy Puppy Food, Chicken Recipe Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Puppy Filets in Gravy Puppy Food, Chicken Recipe Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelCesar Home Delights Slow Cooked Chicken & Vegetables Dinner in Sauce Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Home Delights Slow Cooked Chicken & Vegetables Dinner in Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelCesar Home Delights Hearty Chicken & Noodle Dinner in Sauce Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Home Delights Hearty Chicken & Noodle Dinner in Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 16 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Senior Chicken & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Senior Chicken & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Chicken & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Chicken & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelNulo MedalSeries Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodNuloNulo MedalSeries Puppy Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Canine Fowl Recipe Dry Dog FoodNature's LogicNature’s Logic Distinction Grain-Free Canine Fowl Recipe Dry Dog FoodDry // No. 16 on the labelCesar Home Delights Turkey, Green Beans & Potatoes Dinner in Sauce Wet Dog FoodCesarCesar Home Delights Turkey, Green Beans & Potatoes Dinner in Sauce Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelNutro Savory Lamb & Vegetables Stew Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNutroNutro Savory Lamb & Vegetables Stew Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelNutro Simmered Beef & Potato Stew Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNutroNutro Simmered Beef & Potato Stew Recipe Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the labelNutro Natural Choice Signature Duck Entrée With Spring Vegetables and a Hint of Basil Filets in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodNutroNutro Natural Choice Signature Duck Entrée With Spring Vegetables and a Hint of Basil Filets in Gravy Grain-Free Wet Dog FoodWet // No. 17 on the label

On labels as

Organic and dehydrated dried tomatoes compared

One page covers every name. Here is what each label word adds, and whether it changes anything for your dog.

Organic dried tomatoes

Matters for your dog A little

Organic Dried Tomatoes

What it means The USDA National Organic Program sets the rules. A USDA-accredited agent must certify the farm, and the land must go 3 years without prohibited inputs: most synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation and genetic engineering. USDA does not call organic food safer or more nutritious.

For your dog A review of 343 studies found pesticide residues 4 times as often on conventional crops, and more polyphenols in organic ones. One field trial measured 55% more vitamin C and 139% more phenolics in organic tomatoes, though conventional fruit was about 40% larger. No dog study tests whether that matters at a mid-list amount.7,8,9,10

  1. Strong
  2. Some
  3. Thin
  4. None

Dehydrated tomatoes

Matters for your dog No

Dehydrated Tomatoes

What it means Texas pet food rules, for one, let a maker put "dehydrated" before any ingredient that was artificially dried. The word signals machine or heat drying. It does not promise a temperature, a final moisture level or a better product.

For your dog Plain "dried" can describe the same hot-air process, so the two names likely mean one ingredient. In one experiment, drying temperature changed lycopene and color, but neither label word tells you the temperature used.4,11

Other wording

Matters for your dog No

Dried Tomato

What it means A singular spelling of the same ingredient. We found no rule that treats "Dried Tomato" differently from "Dried Tomatoes" on a pet food label.

For your dog Nothing changes. The ingredient, its drying and its place in the weight order are the same whichever spelling the maker prints.

Sources

What we read

Checked October 1, 2026.

  1. 1 Roles of plant-based ingredients and phytonutrients in canine nutrition and health Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 2022 // Journal
  2. 2 Tomato fruits Feedipedia (INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ, FAO), 2015 // Database
  3. 3 Safety Assessment of Foods and Feeds Derived from Transgenic Crops, Volume 1 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2015 // Government
  4. 4 Influence of Dehydration Temperature and Time on Physicochemical Properties of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Powder Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 2022 // Journal
  5. 5 Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Tomato Plant ASPCA Animal Poison Control, n.d. // Nonprofit
  6. 6 Labeling & Labeling Requirements AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  7. 7 The Impact of Organic Farming on Quality of Tomatoes Is Associated to Increased Oxidative Stress during Fruit Development PLoS ONE, 2013 // Journal
  8. 8 Higher antioxidant and lower cadmium concentrations and lower incidence of pesticide residues in organically grown crops: a systematic literature review and meta-analyses British Journal of Nutrition, 2014 // Journal
  9. 9 National Organic Program: What Agricultural Professionals Need to Know eOrganic (University of Minnesota, OMRI), 2009 // University
  10. 10 Organic AAFCO, n.d. // Regulator
  11. 11 4 Tex. Admin. Code § 63.5 Ingredients Texas Administrative Code (via Cornell Legal Information Institute), n.d. // Regulator
An ingredient on its own tells you very little. What matters is how much of it there is and where it sits in the list. That is why we weigh the top five rather than reacting to any single name further down. Back to the wiki

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