Green peppers, also known as capsicums, sweet peppers, or pepper are colored vegetables often used in salads due to their crunch and at times in stews. They come in various colors including red, yellow, white, purple, and green. Red bell peppers are ripened green peppers and are usually the sweetest.
Peppers are mostly served for human consumption. With this in mind is it harmful to feed a slice or two to our furry friends? Can dogs eat green peppers? We discuss below the benefits and dangers of feeding these vegetables to our four-legged friends.
Can Dogs Eat Green Peppers?
Yes, dogs can eat green peppers. They can eat all types of bell peppers. They are safe to feed as supplements especially in dogs that are on a raw diet and or as a treat. They are also beneficial to dogs prone to obesity and constipation due to their high fiber and water content.
They offer similar nutritional benefits as in humans. They are rich in vitamins A, C, B6, and E. They also contain antioxidants, potassium, and Magnesium.
What Happens if a Dog Eats Green Peppers?
Bell peppers offer a myriad of health benefits to dogs. Their high vitamin content aids in healthy vision (Vitamin A). This especially applies to red bell peppers.
Vitamin C is essential for boosting immunity, vitamin B6 for a healthy nervous system, and vitamin E for the growth of good skin and fur. They also contain antioxidants that help to fight inflammation in the body.
Can a Dog Digest Green Pepper?
Yes, dogs can digest green peppers. Green peppers can be fed either cooked or raw.
Raw peppers contain high amounts of fiber which dogs have a hard time digesting. Steamed or pan-fried bell peppers are usually most preferred.
Care should be taken not to put a lot of oil during frying as it causes irritation. Garlic and onions should also not be cooked together with peppers since they are toxic to dogs.
Will a Dog Get Sick from Eating Green Peppers?
Excessive feeding of peppers can lead to digestive irritation. They should be introduced slowly in small quantities and increased gradually.
A sudden change in diet can also cause irritation to the gut leading to diarrhea. The seeds and core of peppers contain harmful chemicals and should be removed before feeding.
Bottom Line
As stated above peppers should be fed as treats which should be approximately 10% of the dog’s diet or as a supplement in dogs on a raw meat diet.
They contain vitamins, trace elements, and antioxidants that are essential in the body. Cooked peppers are more digestible than raw peppers as the fiber contained is broken down and easily digestible. The seeds and core of peppers should not be fed to dogs.
The same applies to spicy peppers e.g. jalapenos as they cause a lot of gastric irritation. Just like any new diet, peppers should be introduced slowly and intake increased gradually over time.
We do our best to answer the most frequently asked questions here at dogstruggles.com, so be sure to check out these other informative blog posts.
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