We have already looked if cats can eat bell pepper or chili pepper (hot pepper). It is time we looked at if cats can eat green pepper as it does create confusion.
Green pepper is nothing other than any green-colored cultivars of the various species of Capsicum species or the dried unripe fruit of black pepper. Therefore, the answer won’t be a simple yes or no but depends on the specific one in question.
Green bell pepper
Cats can eat green bell pepper, a cultivar of Grossum cultivar group of Capsicum annuum, or any other bell pepper varieties that may have green colored fruits (berries), especially before they ripe as a treat.
They are a good source of vitamin and B6 and have small amounts of nutrients like manganese, iron, magnesium, potassium, niacin, thiamine, phosphorus, and manganese. Your cat stands a chance to benefit from these nutrients.
Also, green pepper may help boost hydration (has 93.9% water), make an excellent low-calorie snack (has only 20 calories per 100g), and have dietary fiber good in promoting gut health. Also, dietary fiber may help prevent diarrhea or constipation and aid in weight loss (bulks food).
The capsanthin, luteolin, and vitamin C will in these green capsicums help neutralize free radicals that cause oxidative damage.
Finally, give them only a small amount, mostly cooked or pureed one as this makes digestion much more straightforward.
Unripe, dried black peppercorns
While it has the name pepper, black pepper, botanically known as Piper nigrum in the family Piperaceae and not Solanaceae like the capsicums, and it’s ripe and unripe, dried black peppercorns are used as a spice.
There are no cat-specific studies done to verify if it is safe or unsafe for cats. While some sources like foodfurlife.com associate its prolonged use as harmful to cats since it has terpenes and essential oils, i.e., it may cause kidney damage, others state otherwise, there isn’t any evidence, and other sources say otherwise.
For instance, the EPA notes that the use of black pepper oil extracted from dried black peppercorns used in repelling dogs, cats, groundhogs, and squirrels is harmful to these targeted organisms.
Whether harmful or not, it is no point giving your cats foods that have black pepper since they don’t like it, a reason why it is used as a cat repellent.
Green chili peppers
While most are red and others yellow or orange, there are chili peppers that are green such as Korean chili, Jalapeño, Padrón, poblano, Bishop’s crown, Naga morich, Hungarian wax, Peperoncini, Dangjo, Cheongyang, banana chilies. Also, some Anaheim, cubanelle, and many red or yellow varieties may have green fruits while still unripe.
Cat’s shouldn’t eat green chili peppers since they have capsaicin, which causes the pungency or burning sensation. This burning sensation may cause drooling, runny nose, watery eyes, or even gastric upset and discomfort (diarrhea and vomiting).
Besides being harmful, cats don’t like any of the chili or hot peppers, a reason why you will have many homemade repellents recommending their use. Avoid giving your feline pal any food with hot pepper or any other hot pepper containing product.