Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers?

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Dog Health

Dog Food

Yes, dogs can eat bell peppers as a healthy, low-calorie snack on the odd occasion. They even pack a nutritional punch! As long as you clean them beforehand and remove the seeds and core, peppers can offer a series of health benefits to your dog.

Peppers are rich in vitamins A, E, B6, and lutein and are great sources of vitamin C and beta-carotene, which are antioxidants important for a dog's healthy immune system, according to Leasa Moltke, a pet nutritionist at holistic pet food brand Solid Gold Pet.

Cook your peppers. Many dogs find the outer skin of raw peppers too tough to consume, so steam your peppers before offering them as a treat or puréeing them to add to homemade dog food. Avoid adding seasonings like salt or pepper to your cooked peppers, and do not give your dog peppers cooked with garlic or onions.

Cut bell peppers into small pieces if you plan to use them as dog treats, making sure to slice them small enough to avoid a choking hazard for small dogs. Treats should make up a maximum of ten percent of your dog's daily caloric intake, whether you have a small or large dog.

Dogs can eat red peppers and other sweet bell peppers as a healthy natural treat on occasion. For smaller dogs, around 1-3 slices a day is about right. If you have a large dog, they can chomp through up to half a bell pepper a day, as long as you've removed the core and seeds.