At A Glance
Green peppers are safe for dogs to eat, but only in moderation, much like all other sweet bell peppers. These fruits are a good source of beta-carotene, folates, and antioxidants, which contribute to your dog’s overall health and well-being.
Last Updated on: Apr 27, 2023
Dogs, if given a chance, will gorge on anything they find within reach! Especially if they are sweet or meaty. But many canines love eating their greens, and this includes green peppers.
Wait! What!
Can dogs eat green peppers?
Can they enjoy the crunch and zing of green peppers without ending up in the doghouse?
Dive in to know if your four-legged pal can handle the heat.
Botanically defined as fruits but commonly thought of as vegetables, sweet peppers, including the green variety, make for good meal toppers and double up as healthy snacks for dogs. When served in moderation, bell peppers can offer some amazing health benefits to dogs, provided they are prepared correctly.
The flesh of green peppers is safe for canine consumption and is nutritious, too.
Locum Small Animal Vet Dr. Andrew Miller explains, “Peppers are a super source of beta-carotene and vitamins A and C. Beta-carotene and vitamin A are vital in maintaining eye health, while vitamin C helps to maintain a healthy immune system. These vitamins are also antioxidants which your dog needs in their diet to prevent cell damage and even fight cancer.”
Green bell peppers also contain a whole lot of dietary fiber and are low in calories. So, the flesh of green peppers can be:
Just bear in mind that green peppers are unripe and have a slightly bitter aftertaste. Therefore, not all dogs may turn out to be big fans of them, but there are plenty of other dog-safe human foods you can consider.
Also, never overload your dog’s diet with green or any other bell pepper. As Dr. Danel Grimmett, Veterinarian, Sunset Veterinary Clinic, points out, “As with other vegetable ingestion, you should take care not to overload your pet because GI upset can occur.”
Stick to less than one-fourth of one bell pepper for smaller breeds and less than half for medium to large dogs.
No fruit or vegetable is completely safe for dogs to eat. Just like we don’t eat pits and seeds of some fruits, dogs should also not be given green peppers as a whole. So, if you are wondering
The bottom line is, although sweet bell peppers are not toxic to dogs, parts of the plant can cause severe indigestion and related problems like flatulence.
It’s better to stick to the flesh of the fruit and dump everything else in your compost bin.
Although sweet bell peppers may be a good inclusion to a dog’s diet, the same cannot be said about peppers in general. You see, peppers can be of two types: sweet or hot/chile peppers. These come in around 20 varieties, including Poblano, Serrano, Habañero, Cayenne, and Jalapeño, to name a few.
And none of these hot peppers are good for your dog’s digestive system. While dogs cannot technically taste the heat from chile peppers because they lack the required taste receptors, the capsaicin in these peppers is not good for them.
Though not toxic, capsaicin can cause severe discomfort, heartburn, vomiting, and diarrhea in dogs.
Hot peppers also tend to have an acrid, sour, or bitter aftertaste, which most dogs dislike. It’s best to steer clear of chile peppers as far as your dog’s diet is concerned.
If you’re still wondering, “Are dogs allergic to bell peppers?” know it depends. Some dogs may be allergic to certain fruits and vegetables, but it’s hard to assume.
While dogs can eat both raw and cooked bell peppers, most tend to love the crunchiness of the fruit. So, depending on your dog’s preference, you can thinly slice or grate bell peppers and mix them with your pet’s dry kibble.
If your dog has never eaten bell peppers before, mixing some with its regular food is a good way to introduce the fruit.
You can also consider whipping up some bell pepper treats at home for your pupper. Get started with these easy recipes!
This recipe is a hoot! All you have to do is take some ground chicken and mix it with pureed or chopped bell pepper. Now, add one egg to this mix. If the batter feels too wet, add some plain flour to thicken it.
Scoop the mixture into small balls and flatten them out on a greased baking tray. Bake the cookies for 20-30 minutes in a preheated 350-degree Fahrenheit oven. Finally, cool the cookies off before serving them to your dog.
This recipe is easy peasy. You need thin slices of green pepper for this one. Use a mandolin slicer if you can’t get the slices thin enough by hand. Now, air fry these until crispy. You can also use a dehydrator for this recipe, but that takes way longer.
Store the “crackers” in an airtight container and occasionally hand them out as treats to your dog.
This is another delicious snack! You can make this one by using any kind of sweet bell pepper. Unlike normal pupcakes, these aren’t sweet treats. Instead, they’re a savory snack most dogs will love!
Take finely chopped sweet peppers, carrots, green beans, and chicken mince in equal measure. Combine all the ingredients and add one egg to bind the batter. You can also add bacon bits to make the pupcake more delicious or save that for the frosting.
Bake the pupcakes in greased cupcake molds for 20-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool them before plating up.
These are not just nutritious but delicious as well. And if your dog is a fussy eater, you have a winner with this recipe and an excellent way of getting them to eat fruits and vegetables.
Although more of a quiche than a cupcake, the recipe is versatile and can be made with any dog-safe fruits or veggies.
The amount of green bell pepper a dog can eat depends on its size.
Small breeds should eat less than 1/4th a portion of an average-sized capsicum. Big breeds can eat a tad more, but it should be no more than half of the fruit.
Any more than that can cause diarrhea in dogs.
Yes! Green peppers, whether raw or cooked, are safe for dogs to eat but only when served in moderation. Thoroughly scrub the green pepper and remove any seeds before your dog eats it.
Sliced, chopped, and pureed raw green bell peppers can be added to your dog’s kibble to make a healthy meal topper.
Yes, they can, but only a small amount. The crunchy nature of the fruit may actually be a pleasant treat for teething pups.
And as Senior Veterinarian Dr. Carly Fox says, “They’re not toxic, and they are a healthy alternative snack to share with your dog.” But since pups are generally more sensitive to foods, seek your vet’s advice.
There is no reliable proof that peppers can kill worms or endoparasites in dogs. It’s best not to depend on peppers to defend your dog’s gut health.
Medically recommended deworming syrups and tablets are your best bet. And, in all likelihood, the amount of pepper your dog would have to eat to get such benefits will be more harmful than beneficial to your pet!
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Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.
Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.
