We love to ensure that our dogs get the best healthy treats. We have taken different measures in ensuring the best health possible for our canines. Preventing them from having their mouths from tasting chocolates to not them consuming high-sugary foods are things we are wary of and give the most diligence, so our dogs are healthy.
Can dogs have peppers? Can we use peppers as a treat for our dogs? Is it a viable food supplement for our dogs? A lot of questions can spring in just an instance and there are lots of answers that can confuse and overwhelm us. We would like to invite your attention and heed us in answering the question, can dogs have peppers?
Can dogs have peppers?
Most dog owners face the dilemma of tracking what their dogs are eating. Keeping track of their food intake when our dogs are out of our sight can give a lot of things to be worried about. It is difficult to track which food is harmful and we would have to trust a lot of our guts and instincts in ensuring that our dogs are perfectly safe when we are far from them.
Can dogs have peppers, the answer is YES. Peppers can pack a lot of the good stuff that is beneficial for our dogs. For instance, bell peppers can pack an excellent set of nutritional good stuff for our dogs. Bell peppers are a healthy alternative snack for our furry friends. Bell peppers are good for us and good for our dogs, so sharing a few pieces of bell peppers with our dogs is not a big problem and is beneficial, according to Dr. Carly Fox of New York City Animal Medical Center.
What color is suitable for our dogs?
A red, green, yellow, or orange-colored bell pepper is perfectly alright for our dogs. Bell pepper, regardless of its color, provides the much-needed vitamins and nutrients dogs need for them to be healthy. But the red color one is nutritious, says Bella Frakes, a dog trainer at Mikotusar Kennels and Aviary in Texas.
Red bell pepper contains the highest concentration of vitamins and antioxidants that can help us keep our dogs healthy and free from a serious illnesses. Antioxidants help us get rid of carcinogens that can cause serious diseases that would seriously hurt our dogs and can leave us financially ruined.
Leasa Molke, a pet nutritionist at Solid Gold Pet, highlighted the benefits of including bell pepper in our dog’s diet. Bell peppers are a rich source of vitamins A, E, B6, and Lutein, which are sources of vitamin C and the antioxidant, beta carotene. The nutritional value of bell peppers is just great considering it is a small-sized vegetable.
Beta carotene is excellent in maintaining our dog’s skin, and coat and perfect in keeping our dog’s eye health in the best of shape. Anti-oxidants are not only good for humans but also for our dogs as well. Carcinogens are just destructive and are common in most things that both humans and dogs face daily. Munching on a piece of bell pepper and sharing it with our dog can help us have a nice supply of beta-carotene naturally.
How much bell pepper is safe for our dogs to consume?
We can munch on bell pepper and would not have a lot of trouble taking it down in our system. With our dogs, it needs to introduce slowly in moderate and controlled amounts. You need to see how your dog responds to having small amounts of bell pepper treats. Letting your dog try some new things, you’ll always get a favored response and a not-so-favorable response, but you need to be patient and work it slowly.
If your dog would munch on a piece of bell pepper treat and would seem fine with it, then you’re lucky. But if your dogs show a bit of resistance and would seem upset with it, then a bit of dog psychology would come in handy. But if our dog’s response is positive with the bell pepper treat, sharing it with them would be beneficial and can be a good bonding moment.
Large dogs can eat less than one-half of a bell pepper and small dogs would be okay with less than one-quarter of a bell pepper at a time. When you feed your dog bell pepper, be sure to remove the seeds because it can cause indigestion. When a dog consumes too much amount of recommended size, your dog can end up with an upset stomach and may experience vomiting and diarrhea.
We do not recommend overloading and getting overzealous in feeding your dog with too much bell pepper or any vegetable treats. Too much vegetable ingestion can cause Gastrointestinal upset, according to Dr. Danel Grimmett, a veterinarian with Sunset Veterinary Clinic in Oklahoma.
How to prepare bell pepper treats safely?
We have now answered the question, “Can dogs have peppers?”. But how do we prepare it, can we put a lot of “good things” like salt and pepper? Can we add a touch of oregano and basil? Is good with some sugar and spice? Getting it done correctly and not overdoing things is the key. You can never go wrong with a liberal amount, and doing it overzealously with a lot of this and that can sometimes get us a bit of trouble.
You should not put seasonings, salt, peppers, and a mixture of onions and garlic into your bell pepper treat. That stuff is toxic to dogs. We must not give puppies spicy varieties of peppers like jalapenos or chili peppers. The pepper’s outer skin can be tough and would be difficult for your dog to chew. Getting it steamed or turned into puree can make it easier for your dog to dig in.
Getting your dog’s vet to know things you are planning to give your pet should be a must. Your vet can help you keep out of trouble when you are introducing something new or something that is not a part of their diet. Dogs are carnivores and introducing a diet of vegetables and fruits may put them in trouble. Get a few calls with your vet and consult on things that you are not 100 percent sure about. A few calls may spare you a lot of trouble.
