The pepper is a vegetable rich in fiber, vitamins A and C. It is a food that does not contain any substance that is toxic to dogs, so they can be included in their diet both raw as cooked. However, not all varieties of peppers are suitable for dogs, which should be taken into account to avoid any harmful effects on our pets.
If you are wondering if dogs can eat bell pepper, we recommend that you read the following article on our site where we explain what types of peppers are suitable for dogs and how you can offer them.
Is bell pepper good for dogs?
Indeed, dogs can eat peppers and benefit from their nutritional contribution, since they are a good source of fiber, vitamins A and C. In addition, they do not contain any substance that is toxic to dogs, which makes it a completely suitable food for our pets.
Discover more about Vitamin C for dogs, its dosage and what it is for and Vitamin A for dogs in these two other articles that we recommend.
Types of peppers suitable for dogs
As we have mentioned, peppers are vegetables that can be included in the diet of dogs, however, we must bear in mind that not all varieties are suitable for them. There are three main groups of peppers:
- The sweet table peppers: this variety of peppers is the one you must includein your dog's diet. Within these varieties you can find peppers with different morphologies (California, Lamuyo and Italian) and with different colors (red, green and yellow), all of which are suitable for the diet of dogs.
- The table hot peppers: on the contrary, you must avoidthat your dog has access to any variety of this type of hot peppers, such as chilies, chillies, Padrón or Gernika peppers. These varieties of peppers contain a pungent compound called capsaicin. Despite the fact that it is a component to which multiple beneficial effects are attributed (reduction of pain and inflammation, antitumor and antimutagenic effect), it produces a pungent and irritating sensation that will not be pleasant for your dog and may cause gastrointestinal disorders. It should be noted that, in addition to preventing your dog from consuming these varieties of peppers, you should also try to keep them out of reach since, just by smelling them, they can cause the irritation of your respiratory tract, as well as sneezing and itchy nose.
- The pepper varieties for making paprika: in this case also must avoidin our dog's diet, since, being spicy, it can harm our dog.
Benefits of bell pepper for dogs
As we have discussed, dogs can eat peppers and benefit from their nutritional value. Below, we list the main benefits of pepper for dogs:
- They are vegetables with a low caloric intake and a minimum fat content: this makes them especially recommended for dogs that require low-energy diets, such as obese or elderly dogs. Here you have more information about a Diet for obese dogs.
- They are a good source of fiber: especially red bell peppers. Although the digestive system of dogs is not capable of digesting fiber, it is a fundamental nutrient in their diet since it adds volume to the ration, creates a feeling of satiety, promotes the growth of a beneficial intestinal microbiota, regulates intestinal transit and stool consistency. If you want to know more about fiber in dogs, its importance, food and supplements, don't hesitate to take a look at this other article on our site.
- They are a good source of vitamin C: especially green bell peppers. This protein helps reduce oxidative stress, promotes collagen production and participates in the formation of the bone skeleton. However, it must be taken into account that, for peppers to provide a significant contribution of vitamin C, they must be consumed raw, since losses during cooking are high.
- They have a high content of vitamin A: in the form of beta-carotene, being notably higher in red peppers (2,220 µg/100 g) than in the green ones (205 µg/100 g). Vitamin A is involved in numerous functions in the body, including vision, keratinization, maintenance of the integrity of the skin and mucous membranes, and the proper functioning of the immune system and reproduction.
- They provide a wide variety of minerals: among which potassium stands out and, to a lesser extent, iron, phosphorus and magnesium.
At this point, it should be noted that not all types of pepper have the same nutritional value. The red peppers are the most nutritious, while the yellow peppers have the worst nutritional value. Remember to keep this consideration in mind when choosing the variety of pepper to offer your dog.
How to give a dog pepper?
In order to give pepper to a dog we have to take into account:
- First, you must wash the pepper and remove the seeds inside.
- Next, you can chop it up and offer it directly raw, as it does not contain any substance that is toxic to your body. Peppers that have not finished ripening contain solanine, a substance that is toxic to both people and animals. However, this compound disappears completely in ripe fruits, so its consumption raw is not harmful.
- In any case, if you prefer, you can steam the pepper or cook it with the rest of the ingredients that make up its portion.
Regardless of whether you provide the pepper raw or cooked, you should offer it to your dog sporadically In case your dog has a diet based on commercial feed, you can occasionally include pepper as a reward. In the case of feeding your dog a homemade ration, you can sporadically include the pepper as part of his diet, in combination with the rest of the protein ingredients, cereals and vegetables.
In any case, remember that whenever you introduce a new food into your dog's diet you should do so in moderation and pay attention to the appearance of any unwanted reaction.
We leave you this other post about What are the best treats for dogs? that can help you.
Contraindications of pepper in dogs
As we have mentioned, pepper is a food that dogs can eat as it has good nutritional value and does not contain any substance that is toxic to them. However, there are some cases in which the contribution of pepper can be harmful in the diet of dogs:
- Dogs with food allergies: in these animals it is important not to offer any food outside of their usual diet, which usually consists of feed with hydrolyzed proteins. Find out Food allergies in dogs, symptoms and treatment in this post on our site.
- Dogs with Chronic gastrointestinal diseases: such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Find out more about Inflammatory Bowel Disease in dogs, symptoms and treatment, here.
- Dogs with a digestive system that is particularly sensitive to changes in food or with food intolerancesthat hinder the assimilation of some nutrients.
