Bell peppers are a nutrient dense food. They are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This vegetable is part of the nightshade family along with eggplant and tomatoes. Bell peppers come in a variety of colors. But can dogs eat bell peppers? is it safe?
The answer is yes!
Dogs can safely consume bell peppers of any color.
The red bell peppers are sweeter, as they do contain a slightly higher sugar content and may be more appealing to your dog’s tastebuds.
A red bell pepper is nothing more than a fully ripened green pepper.
Due to staying on the vine longer and reaching this full stage of maturity, the red bell pepper has 11 times more beta carotene and 1.5 times more vitamin C than the green bell pepper.
What are the benefits of feeding my dog bell peppers?
- Bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin C, which many experts believe supports the immune system.
- Bell peppers are a good source of fiber. Fiber aids in digestion and can help regulate bowel movements.
- They are also a good source of antioxidants.
- In addition, bell peppers contain Vitamin K1 which helps improve blood health.
Can dogs eat bell peppers and benefit in the same way humans do?
This remains a mystery, since there isn’t enough scientific research on this topic.
How can I Incorporate Bell peppers in my dog’s diet?
- Bell peppers can be pureed and used as a topper for your dogs kibble or homemade dog food.
- The peppers can be sliced and given to your dog as a nutritious treat.
How to prepare bell peppers for my dog
- Raw– It’s fine to give your pooch raw bell peppers. You can dice them or slice them into strips. However, it may be easier for your dog to digest if they are crushed or pureed.
- Steamed– If you are dealing with a senior dog you may want to steam the bell peppers to make them a little softer to chew. However, some of the nutritional content may be lost during the cooking process.
- Fermented– Fermented vegetables are packed with probiotics! This good bacteria can improve your dog’s digestion and gut health. Fermenting vegetables before feeding them to your dog, increases their digestibility. It mimics the partially digested stomach contents that wild dogs would consume from prey animals. (source: Weston A. Price.org-trends in home prepared diets for pets) It’s very easy to ferment veggies for your dog. Check out the book “Wild Fermentation” for help getting started.
Here is an interesting video by Dr. Karen Becker on the benefits of giving your dog fermented veggies.
What should I avoid when feeding my dog bell peppers?
- When feeding your dog bell peppers, it’s best to avoid any additional seasonings, as they may upset your dogs stomach.
- Never give your dog a whole pepper. Remove the stem, core, and seeds. These may be hard for your dog to digest, and lead to tummy trouble. It could also pose a choking hazard.
- Do not feed your dog hot peppers. Dogs aren’t accustomed to spicy food, and this could cause gastrointestinal issues.
- Never give your dog peppers and onions. Onions are toxic for dogs to eat.
Why would I want to feed my dog bell peppers or any other vegetables?
- It’s part of their natural diet. Canids consumed the stomach contents of their herbivore prey. Resulting in adding vegetation and a small amount of grains to their diet.
- Vegetables are hydrating! Most veggies have a high water content. Bell peppers contain 92% water, the same water content as a watermelon.
***Safety Precautions*** Can dogs eat bell peppers?
- Always remove the stem, core, and seeds before feeding bell peppers to your dog. They may pose a choking hazard.
- Always introduce new food to your dog gradually, and watch for signs that your pup isn’t tolerating the new food well.
- Use organic veggies when possible to avoid pesticides.
- Always feed bell peppers in moderation.
In conclusion… Can dogs eat bell peppers?
Safe veggies can be a great addition to your dog’s diet. In addition to giving your pup a nutritional boost, it also adds some variety to your dog’s diet.
Remember, treats should not make up more than 10% of your dogs diet.
We hope this has been helpful, and answers your question, “Can dogs Eat bell peppers”?
Related Post: “Can I feed my dog blueberries?”
Related Post: “Can dogs eat carrots?”
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