Concerned about tomato paste in recipe

by Sharon B.
(North Carolina)

Since tomatoes are on the list of foods not to feed your dog, I'm concerned about the tomato paste in this recipe. Concentrated tomatoes doesn't sound like a good idea. Is there a substitute I can use that is more dog-friendly?

Chef's Answer ~ It is my understanding that the tomato flesh is safe for dogs. It is the tomato plant that is not safe. I would be curious to see the source that you are referring to regarding the actual tomato being unsafe.

However, if you still want to substitute the tomato paste, I would recommend pure pureed pumpkin. It will have a similar texture for the overall dog treat recipe. Since pure pumpkin does not come in convenient 6 oz cans, like the tomato paste, I would suggest measuring out approximately 1/2 cup and adding more if needed.

I hope this helps. :)