Yes - dogs can absolutely eat peppers. All colours of peppers offer a healthy choice of snack for a peckish pooch, however red peppers are the most nutritious. Let’s answer some more of your questions over whether dogs can eat peppers..
Are peppers good for dogs?
Yes! Peppers are technically a fruit (though we tend to use them in savoury dishes), and they provide a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals for a dog, as well as being low calorie and low fat.
What are the health benefits?
Crunchy bell peppers have a host of health benefits for dogs. Here’s what makes them a sensible doggy snack option:
Full of Vitamins A, C and E This power trio of vitamins in peppers contributes to your dog’s eyesight, collagen production, skin condition and immunity.
Crunchy A food your dog can munch on, like peppers, will help strengthen and clean their teeth.
Low calorie and low fat In moderation, peppers can be given as a healthy treat as part of their diet, to manage your dog’s weight.
Antioxidants, anti-inflammatory Helps fight inflammation in your pooch’s body, as well as oxidative stress.
Red peppers are nutrient rich The healthiest are red peppers - they’re crammed full of higher levels of nutrients than other colours and have nine times the levels of beta carotene than yellow and green peppers, which helps beneficial vitamin A do its best work.
When are peppers unsafe for dogs?
All colours of peppers are safe for dogs, but avoid chilli peppers, such as jalapenos - they’re simply too spicy! Dogs aren’t keen on spicy foods and it could cause them tummy problems.
Peppers are a treat for dogs, therefore shouldn’t be used as a meal replacement, but fed in moderation to complement meals. They should be chopped into pieces they won’t choke on - so don’t give a pooch pepper crudites, but cut them into halves or more chunky pieces.
You should only feed your pooch the flesh of the pepper, never the green stem or seeds, and make sure the pepper is fresh and ripe, and served plain.
Can dogs be allergic to peppers?
Dogs can be allergic to any food, so if your pup hasn’t eaten them before, feed them a small piece of pepper and keep an eye on their reaction. If your dog starts showing any of the following signs, you probably shouldn’t include bell pepper in their usual snack rotation:
- Reddening skin, itching or a rash
- Breathing issues (wheezing, etc.)
- Severe or extended sickness or diarrhoea
- General change in behaviour (low energy, lethargic, etc.)
Can peppers make dogs sick?
If your pooch is allergic, they may become sick from eating bell peppers (be sure to stop feeding them peppers completely). Dogs can also get sick from peppers if they eat too large a portion, if the peppers were spoiled or past their freshest, or if they were a spicy type of pepper, such as jalapeno or chillies.
If they are served safely, however, peppers are a tasty, healthy food for dogs to snack on.
How to safely give peppers to your dog?
Peppers are a great, nutritious snack for pooches so long as they’re served safely. Be sure they’re-
- Fresh and ripe! They should be brightly coloured and firm with no softness or wrinkling of the skin.
- Rinsed under the tap to remove any potential pesticides.
- Remove the stem and seeds and chop into bite-sized pieces.
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Serve on its own as a snack, or sprinkle on top of grain-free dog food.
- Avoid hot or spicy chilli strains.
- If you’re serving peppers cooked, they should be served plain, with no added salt, seasoning or sauces.
How much is safe to give your dog?
A pepper is a snack or treat for your pooch, not a replacement for their regular dog food. The correct portion size will depend on your dog’s breed, size or health condition, but treats should count for 10% of their overall diet, so be sure to stick to that measurement as a guideline.
Can puppies eat peppers?
Puppies can eat peppers as they’re healthy and great for teeth. Just cut fresh, ripe and clean peppers into tiny pieces that a puppy can chew easily. Introduce pepper in a small amount first, so you can assess whether it suits your puppy and they can digest it easily.
What types of peppers can dogs eat?
In short, your dog can eat peppers as part of a healthy, balanced diet - but what kind of peppers can they eat, and how safe are they when served in different ways?
Can dogs eat raw peppers?
Yes! Raw peppers are the most nutrient-rich. Be sure the pepper is fresh and ripe, rinse it under the tap, chop into bite-sized pieces and serve. Raw red peppers contain the most goodness, lots of vitamin A, C and E and a powerful boost of antioxidants.
Can dogs eat cooked peppers?
Cooked peppers are fine for a dog, so long as they’re plain and served without any added salt, seasoning or sauces. A dog will likely prefer to eat them raw, as they’re crunchier and more satisfying. Raw pepper also contains more nutrients and vitamins than when they’re cooked. And it saves you the cooking time!
Can dogs eat red pepper?
Absolutely - in fact they’re the healthiest kind of pepper there is. Raw red pepper contains lots of vitamins A, C and E as well as having anti-inflammatory properties.
Can dogs eat green peppers?
Yes. Green peppers are the most bitter-tasting of all the three bell peppers, however they’re still perfectly healthy for a dog to eat as a snack. The red coloured pepper is the most nutrient-rich.
Can dogs eat yellow peppers?
Yep - yellow peppers are a perfectly nutritious snack for a dog. Red peppers have the most nutrients, but yellow and green peppers are still healthy when served raw, plain and chopped into bite-sized pieces.
Can dogs eat chilli peppers?
No. Do not feed dogs chilli peppers such as jalapenos or other spicy varieties. Dogs don’t like spice! They could cause your poor pooch to have an irritated mouth and tongue, as well as sickness or stomach upset later.
Conclusion
In summary, bell peppers are a delicious, nutrient-rich treat for a dog.
- The red peppers have the highest concentration of vitamins such as A, C and E, however green and yellow peppers are also safe, healthy and tasty.
- Be sure the peppers are ripe, clean and served plain, chopped into pieces that won’t be a choking hazard.
- Avoid spicy varieties of peppers completely.
What other foods can dogs safely eat?
If you’re keen on feeding your dog peppers, but you’re looking for nutritious alternatives, why don’t you try the following?
If you’re looking for healthy ways to give your dog a snack, check out Pooch & Mutt’s range of nutritious treats for dogs crammed with vitamins, minerals, proteins and supplements.
