We like peppers and on a pizza, they are the most important ingredient. But, what about dogs? Can dogs eat peppers? As with all vegetables which will be shared with our furry pets, the answer isn’t as simple as you would believe.
Overall, yes, dogs can eat peppers and they will benefit from them. If we take a look into this matter more closely, we will discover plenty of additional facts and essentials each dog owner should know.
Feeding dogs with bell peppers
Source: akc.org
Can dogs eat bell peppers? Yes, and because these peppers are the most common in kitchens all around the globe, we will mention them first. In general, all dog breeds can eat bell peppers in lower amounts. They are rich in nutrients and low in calories, so they will provide plenty of health benefits to your pet.
Although, all bell peppers are perfectly healthy and beneficial to dogs, some are better than the others. For instance, red bell peppers are the best option. They have much higher levels of beta carotene and A and C vitamins, compared to bell peppers of other colors. We are not saying that peppers of other colors are not beneficial, just red ones are the best of the best.
Green bell peppers are also a desirable option. Can dogs eat green peppers? Of course, they can and they will get 2 benefits from them. First and foremost, beta carotene, which is present at high levels is well-known cancer prevention. Then, we have the benefit to reduce inflammation in older dogs, usually suffering from arthritis.
Bell peppers in other colors are beneficial as well. They can be consumed by dogs of all breeds and most dogs will like the taste of them. Just to add, bell peppers are not toxic to dogs nor have they been linked to any side effects.
Amazing benefits of bell peppers
Dogs can benefit from bell peppers in many ways. First of all, they will reduce inflammation, as we have already mentioned, peppers will reduce flatulence and this isn’t all. Furthermore, these vegetables are known for providing a series of benefits to the digestive tract and boost circulation.
Some studies proved that bell peppers are also useful for improving the metabolism. This is especially important for older dogs who are not in perfect health. According to veterinarians, they do it by reducing triglyceride levels. Some dog owners will know that peppers are ideal for overweight dogs.
Puree or cook peppers
Source: akc.org
Can dogs eat peppers in any known form? Yes, but they will not benefit on the same matter. Peppers have a strong layer that protects their softer parts. The same applies to the cells. It means that dogs are unable to penetrate the cell membranes and release healthy nutrients. In other words, your dog won’t get all the benefits peppers to have to offer.
In order to solve this issue, we advise you to cook or puree peppers. In most ways, pureeing is a much better option. None of the taste or looks of peppers would be significantly compromised, yet they will be softer and cell membranes suitable for easy penetration.
Cooking is the second-best option. The main concern is in the taste which isn’t appealing for some dogs. In general, all types of bell peppers can be cooked or pureed and then given to your pet.
Another recommendation is to try and see what your dog prefers. To do so, feed him with peppers you have pureed and those you cooked. You will notice which kind he prefers and then you should use only it. Chances are high that a dog will prefer pureed peppers. It is possible to add small pieces of fresh, raw peppers, but only to make cooked ones look even better.
A number of peppers a dog can eat are an important factor to consider. Start with half a pepper and never increase the amount more than one, whole pepper. Monitor for any changes in the behavior or activity your dog has in order to determine is peppered perfectly safe for him.
Peppers to avoid
All bell peppers are healthy for dogs and they should eat them at least 2 times per week. On the other hand, some types of peppers must be avoided at all costs. This refers to chilly, hot peppers, and pepperoni. They may upset the stomach of your pet, so they should be avoided at all costs.
Keep in mind that pizza or other foods that contain mentioned peppers should be avoided as well. Don’t even experiment with them or your dog may get a sick belly!
When we are discussing the types of peppers a dog should avoid, we must add that peppers in some meals should be kept away. It refers specifically to the additional ingredients which may be found in that meal. For example, onions or garlic are not safe for dogs, so they should be avoided.
The best thing you can do is to feed your dog with peppers only. Use bell peppers because they are the safest option. Make sure to prepare a meal consisting of bell peppers only, without any additional dressings, ingredients or etc.
Other than this, there are no further issues which may occur, nor additional things to remember. Of course not all dogs like eating peppers, so don’t force them to! In addition, try to discover which type and how prepared peppers your particular dog likes.
Conclusion
Can dogs eat peppers and will they benefit from it? The answer is positive on both questions. Dogs like peppers, at least all of them do. These vegetables are highly beneficial due to high levels of vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants and etc. In other words, a dog will get useful and needed ingredients, which will boost his metabolism and circulation.
Bell peppers are the best and the most beneficial type of peppers recommended for dogs. There are no reasons to be worried about nor there are any side effects associated with this diet addition.
