Bell peppers are a staple in many households because they can be used in different ways. Looking for ways to make your green salads more delicious? Add a few slices of bell peppers. Do you want your pizza toppings to be more flavorful? Throw in some bell peppers on top.
But just because bell peppers make your meals and snacks tastier doesn’t mean that you should immediately feed them to your dogs. Remember that the digestive tracts of your furry friends can’t tolerate large quantities of bell peppers the same way you do.
To answer the question posted in the article is: yes, you can feed your dogs with bell peppers. As long as given in moderation, bell peppers are actually healthy for your dogs as they offer the following benefits:
Stronger Immune System
Do you want to keep your dogs safe from common illnesses and infections? Add bell peppers to their diets as this fruit is packed with vitamins A, C, E, and K that work together to keep their immune systems strong. In fact, a cup of chopped red bell peppers contains three times more vitamin C found in one orange!
Anti-Cancer
According to studies, six million dogs are diagnosed with cancer every year. This health condition can cause lumps and bumps on your dogs’ skin and foul odors emanating from their ears and mouths.
Because of the antioxidant content of bell peppers, feeding the fruit to your dogs regularly can help lessen their risks of cancer. Antioxidants work by fighting the free radicals found in your dogs’ bodies that can damage their cells.
If there are too many free radicals present in the body, your dogs’ DNA can get damaged, and they’ll be at higher risk of developing chronic diseases like cancer.
Supports Healthy Weight
Obesity is a common problem among dogs. In fact, 25%-30% of the general canine population worldwide is obese. Obesity can put your dogs at higher risk of developing many types of cancer, heart diseases, and hypertension. Obese dogs are also prone to osteoarthritis.
Bell peppers can support healthy weight in dogs as it’s a nutrient-rich but low-fat and low-calorie snack. As long as you control the number of bell peppers you give to your pooch, you don’t have to worry about them piling on excessive weight as they age.
Improves Heart Health
Bell peppers contain healthy levels of potassium. This mineral is essential to the health of your dogs as it can improve their heart health.
Potassium deficiency can lead to weaker heart muscle contractions, low blood pressure, and even heart arrhythmias. By giving your dogs bell peppers, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that their hearts are functioning properly and stay healthy.
Maintains Eye Health
Bell peppers contain beta carotene (which the liver converts into vitamin A) that improves and maintains the eye health of your furry friends. Vitamin A is known to protect the retina of your dogs from oxidative damage, so it continues to function properly even if your dogs are aging.
How Should You Prepare Peppers For Your Dogs?
The outer skin of the bell pepper can be hard for some dogs. This is especially true when feeding bell peppers to your furry friends for the first time.
To soften the outer skin, steam the bell peppers for a couple of minutes. Refrain from adding salt or any flavor as you’re steaming the fruit, as this can have adverse effects on the health of your pets. Plain bell peppers are best for your dogs!
Are There Other Ways To Feed Bell Peppers To Your Dogs?
Fortunately, there are! You can actually feed your dogs with bell peppers in a number of ways to make their meals more fun and exciting. Humans don’t like to consume the same thing daily — so why should your dogs have steamed bell peppers all the time?
Here’s how you can feed bell peppers to your dogs:
Crush Or Cut The Bell Peppers Into Small Pieces
To ensure that your dogs don’t choke on the bell peppers, crush or cut the fruit into small pieces. This will make it easier for your four-legged friends to eat and chew bell peppers.
Make A Puree
You can also make a puree using bell peppers to prevent vomiting or choking in your dogs. Pureeing bell peppers is also a great way to prevent stomach problems, such as diarrhea and constipation in dogs.
Fill Them With Dog Food
Another way to feed bell peppers to your dog is to stuff the fruit with your pets’ favorite foods. For example, you can fill the bell peppers with your dogs’ favorite meats or dog food. Just make sure that you’re not adding any garlic and onions to the stuffing, as these can be toxic to dogs.
How Many Bell Peppers Should Your Dogs Have?
The answer to this question depends on the size of your dogs. In general, large dogs shouldn’t eat more than half of a medium-sized bell pepper at a time. On the other hand, small dogs shouldn’t eat more than a quarter of a bell pepper.
Yes, bell peppers are healthy and safe for your dogs but keep in mind that their bodies can’t tolerate too much human food. Overfeeding your pets with bell peppers can only make them susceptible to several health conditions.
Can Dogs Eat Chili Peppers?
No, you should never give your dogs chili peppers. Although chili peppers aren’t toxic to dogs, these contain compounds that can irritate their digestive tracts and cause them to cough heavily.
How About Jalapeno Peppers?
Unfortunately, no. Dogs naturally have highly sensitive digestive tracts, and feeding them jalapeno peppers can trigger several health problems, such as loss of appetite and vomiting.
Can Dogs Eat Bell Pepper Seeds?
No, your dogs should never have bell pepper seeds. Aside from being very bitter, bell pepper seeds can also cause indigestion in your furry friends. It’s best to remove all of the bell pepper seeds before feeding the fruit to your dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Bell Pepper Stems?
No, you should never feed your dogs bell pepper stems. This part of the fruit is harder to chew and digest for your dogs and can become a choking hazard. Stay on the safe side, and properly cut the stems before feeding bell peppers to your dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Bell Pepper Plant Leaves?
Although bell pepper leaves aren’t toxic to dogs, it’s best not to give them any. Bell pepper leaves have high fiber content, and feeding them to your dogs can upset their stomachs and trigger diarrhea. Don’t take any chances, and take the time to remove the plant leaves before giving the bell peppers to your dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Green Bell Peppers?
Yes, dogs can eat green bell peppers. This is the most common type of bell pepper and is generally healthy and safe for your furry friends.
Can Dogs Eat Red Bell Peppers?
Yes, red bell peppers should be fine for your dogs. Red bell peppers contain the most amount of vitamins and minerals, making them a healthy treat for your dogs.
How About Orange Bell Peppers?
Yes, your dogs can also feast on orange bell peppers every once in a while. These peppers also offer several vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the growth and development of your dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Yellow Bell Peppers?
Yes, yellow bell peppers are safe for your dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Roasted Red Pepper Hummus?
No, because roasted red pepper hummus contains excessive amounts of garlic and lemon that can be hazardous for your dogs. If your dogs accidentally ate roasted red pepper hummus, call a vet immediately, and don’t wait for any symptoms to show up or worsen.
Can Dogs Eat Spicy Cheetos?
Since bell peppers are generally safe for your dogs, you might be thinking of giving them other human foods that contain spices. However, you should be very careful because not all human foods are safe for your dogs.
Cheetos, for example, aren’t safe for your dogs. Although a filling snack for humans, Cheetos contain high amounts of MSG that can adversely affect the brain health of your dogs. Cheetos also have garlic powder, an ingredient that can cause anemia in dogs.
Can Dogs Eat Cayenne Pepper?
Yes, but in moderation. Feeding your dogs with excessive amounts of cayenne pepper can damage their skin and trigger digestive issues. So if you’re going to feed cayenne peppers to your dogs, make sure that you’re doing it in controlled quantities and frequencies.
Can Dogs Eat Crushed Red Pepper?
Unfortunately, no. Crushed red pepper contains a compound called capsaicin, which can be toxic and harmful when consumed in large amounts. Refrain from feeding your dogs too many seasonings and spices, and opt to feed them fresh and bland meals.
Vets Are Your Best Allies
Before incorporating any type of bell peppers into your dogs’ diets, consult their vets first. When it comes to feeding your dogs with human foods, moderation is key — and not knowing how much is too much can have detrimental effects on your dogs’ health.
Work with a vet regularly to ensure that you can incorporate bell peppers into your dogs’ diets in the safest, easiest ways possible. The pieces of advice you can get from a vet will make your life easier as a dog owner!