Home

>

Dog

>

Food & Nutrition

>

Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers?

Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers?

Updated on July 18, 2024
Reviewer Profile Photo
Reviewed by Petco’s Animal Care
Education and Compliance (ACE) Team
Corgi with a hand holding a bell pepper

Can dogs eat bell peppers?

Yes, dogs can eat bell peppers. Make sure they are prepared appropriately without any added spices, salt or garlic and onions that are not good for dogs. Bell peppers can be a great low-calorie snack for your dog and a good source of vitamin c and antioxidants. Always consult your vet before adding any new foods intoto your pet’s diet. 

Can dogs eat green peppers?

Yes, dogs can eat green peppers. Green peppers can be a healthy snack for dogs when served in bite-sized pieces without seeds, stems or additives. However, there are several kinds of peppers that are green that are not appropriate for dogs, including jalapeno peppers, pepperoncini, poblano peppers, serrano peppers, shishito peppers and Anaheim chilis. Be sure to consult your vet before adding any new foods to your pet’s diet.

Can dogs eat yellow peppers?

Yes, dogs can eat yellow peppers. They can be a great snack, offering vitamin Cc and antioxidants. It’s best to always consult your vet before adding new foods to your pet’s diet. As a good guideline, treats and snacks should make up 10% or less of your dog’s daily caloric intake.

Can dogs eat red peppers?

Yes, dogs can eat red peppers. Be sure to remove the seeds and stems before serving, and make sure there are no additives like oil, salt, spices or other ingredients that are harmful to dogs. While red peppers can be a great snack for dogs, never give your dog red chili peppers as they are not appropriate for pets.

What do bell peppers contain?

Bell peppers are full of antioxidants, including vitamins C and E. Antioxidants contain anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties. Bell peppers also contain beta carotene, which converts into retinol and may help maintain ocular health. This fruit is also high in fiber while remaining relatively low in calories and sugar.

While bell peppers have these potential health benefits for humans, if you choose to offer your dog a taste, remember it should only be a small amount as an occasional treat. Your dog’s diet should consist primarily of a high-quality dog food to ensure they get all the essential nutrients they need.

» MORE: Learn about fruits and vegetables that dogs can and cannot eat.

How to feed bell peppers to your dog  

Consult your veterinarian for guidance and advice when introducing new foods to your dog’s diet. Ideally, start with a small amount in case your pup suffers from an unknown food sensitivity—or they just plain don’t like it. Bell peppers are treats for dogs and should only be offered in small quantities on rare occasions. As with all treats offered to your pet, ensure they never account for more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake.

Before feeding bell peppers to your pup, make sure you prepare them properly. Remove the stem and seeds; these can cause gastrointestinal upset. Then, cut up the bell pepper into small, bite-sized pieces. You can feed the pieces to your dog by hand or add some as a natural dog food topper.

While many dogs can enjoy the stimulating crunch of raw bell peppers, the tough exterior can be challenging for others to chew. Cooking bell peppers softens the skin and makes it easier for dogs to eat. Be sure you don’t use any oils or seasonings if you are cooking for your dog. Cooking reduces the potential benefits of bell pepper, and seasonings often contain toxic chemicals harmful to your pup.

It’s also vital to never give your dog any spicy peppers, such as chili peppers or jalapeños. These contain capsaicin that can cause numerous stomach problems for canines.

Featured dog food with bell peppers

FAQs about bell peppers for dogs

Whatever their color, bell pepper varieties are generally appropriate for dogs to eat. While the nutritional content is largely the same, each color tastes a little different, so you can give your dog a taste test to see if they have a favorite.

A one-cup serving of bell pepper contains roughly 30 calories, 2.5 grams of fiber, 3.5 grams of sugar, 7 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein and less than 1 gram of fat. While they are low in calories, remember to let your pup sample them in moderation—give them a few small pieces, not a full cup.

If your pup frequently craves human food, human-grade dog food can provide more palatable canine nutrition than other options. Additionally, dog vitamins can contain supplementary nutrition like that found in this fruit—without risk of GI upset.

If your dog responds well to bell peppers, you may wonder if spicy peppers are acceptable. However, feeding them to your dog—or risking your pet sneaking some off the floor—is widely regarded as a bad idea.

Spicy peppers are not recommended for dogs, including jalapeños and cayenne, serrano and chili peppers. Spicy peppers can be upsetting to canines in many ways—especially when you consider your pup’s enhanced sense of smell and taste. If your dog consumes spicy peppers, there is a risk of diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion and dehydration. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see any symptoms.

Recommended Articles

Filed Under

Sponsored