Why dogs can have it
Sweet peppers are not toxic to dogs. They are high in water, contain vitamin C, beta-carotene and other antioxidants, and are low in calories. Red peppers are fully ripe and the sweetest, while green ones are more bitter and harder for some dogs to digest.
Hot peppers, chilli and spicy paprika seasoning are a different thing altogether. The capsaicin in them irritates the mouth, stomach and gut, so they must not be given to dogs.
How to give it
- Wash it, cut out the stalk and seeds, and slice it into strips or cubes.
- Give it raw, or boiled or roasted without oil or spices.
- The first time, give very little and watch how your dog feels.
What to watch out for
- Too much pepper can cause diarrhoea or wind.
- Hot peppers, chilli and spicy seasonings irritate the mouth and the gut.
- Stuffed or roasted peppers with onion, garlic or spices are not suitable for dogs.
- The stalk and seeds are hard to digest.
Different parts
Not every part of this food is equally safe.
-
Flesh
SafeThe flesh of a sweet pepper is fine in small pieces.
-
Seeds and stalk
Not safeThey are not toxic, but they are bitter and hard to digest, so cut them out.
-
Hot peppers and chilli
Not safeThey irritate the mouth and the gut, so they must not be given to dogs.
What to give instead
- Cucumbers Yes, fresh cucumber is fine for dogs: it is mostly water and low in calories, but do not give pickled cucumbers. Safe
- Carrots Yes, carrots are fine for dogs: raw or cooked, unseasoned and cut into pieces, they make a crunchy, low-calorie treat. Safe
- Courgettes Yes, courgettes are fine for dogs: raw or cooked, without oil, salt or spices, they make a light, low-calorie treat. Safe
Looking for a treat?
The "Dog treats" category compares prices for 10,394 products across shops. It is a product category, not a recommendation of what to give.