Bell pepper

Bell peppers are on the safe list. AKC veterinarians call them non-toxic and a healthy alternative snack, and red bell peppers carry the most vitamins and antioxidants of the three colors, including more vitamin C by weight than an orange plus a solid dose of beta-carotene. Green and yellow peppers are fine too, just less nutrient-dense. Portion first. AKC puts the ceiling at less than half a pepper at a time for a large dog and less than a quarter for a small one, and every treat combined should stay inside 10% of daily calories. Pull the stem, the seeds and the white pith, which are the usual reason a dog has a loose stool afterward. The outer skin is tough enough that a raw strip often comes out the other end intact, so steaming or pureeing gets you far more out of it. Nothing added: no salt, no oil, no seasoning. The realistic hazard in an American kitchen is not the pepper, it is what shares the pan. Fajita peppers, stuffed peppers, sheet-pan roasts and stir-fries are built on onion and garlic, both of which damage canine red blood cells. Picking the peppers out of the dish is not a workaround, because the aromatics have already cooked into them. Keep a hard line between sweet peppers and hot ones. AKC says flatly that dogs should never get spicy varieties such as jalapeños or chili peppers, and Pet Poison Helpline classifies peppers among the mildly toxic nightshade food crops. A dog that ate plain bell pepper and had one soft stool just needs a smaller portion next time. A dog vomiting repeatedly, guarding its abdomen or acting lethargic needs your veterinarian. If the pepper came out of a dish with onion or garlic in it, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 rather than waiting. Do not induce vomiting at home.