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Bell pepper belongs to the Capsicum annuum species plant which produces fruits that can be red, green, white, purple or orange. It is also known as sweet pepper, capsicum or simply pepper. Note there are other types of peppers including cayenne and chili.
A fresh one is made up of about 92 percent water, some carbohydrates, and small amounts of proteins, fiber, and fats. It has vitamin C, B6, K1, E, A, potassium, and folate. The red bell peppers have capsanthin (a powerful antioxidant), yellow ones have violaxanthin, lutein in green one among other valuable nutrients.
It has some benefits including helping fight anemia, bettering eyesight, and has antioxidants. It can be used in salads, as a garnish, in sources, salsas, like flavorings, etc.
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Can rabbits eat red and green bell peppers?
If you are wondering whether you can give your furry friend this vegetable, the answer is Yes. Rabbits can eat bell pepper and of all colors as Rabbit.org notes. Also, Safeafluff.co.uk and peta.org list them as safe for your bunnies.
Giving your bunnies capsicum is recommended since it is low in calories, has some fibers and the many nutrients and benefits we have seen. While feeding rabbits with any vegetable, remember to continuously vary the vegetables you feed them and avoid giving it a lot since they can potentially cause diarrhea.
Therefore, combine the yellow, white, orange, red or green pepper with other fresh foods, hay, high fiber pellets in the correct proportions according to a recommended rabbit’s diet requirements.
How to feed a rabbit with pepper
Like most vegetables, it is recommended you introduce it in small quantities and introduce only one new vegetable at a time. Keep observing how your bunny’s digestive system responds to it before you can slowly increase the amounts. This will allow its stomach to adjust.
In case of any gastrointestinal disturbances including diarrhea, bloating or gas, discontinue giving it. Factors such as the other foods you give your furry critter may influence how they respond to capsicum.
It is recommended that you provide your furry friends at least 5 to 6 different types of fresh foods daily and they should account for 10 to 15% of a bunny’s dietary requirements. Leafy greens should be a larger part of the fresh fruits, and you should vary them too.
Give total greens (leafy and non-leafy) of one cup per two pounds of your rabbit weight once or twice a day. With the leafy greens accounting for more than 75% of total fresh foods. Fruits and non-leafy vegetables should be given as treats in small quantities.
Being a non-leafy fresh food, we recommend about one tablespoon per two pounds of your bunny weight. Do not give them daily. Once or twice a week is fine since you must be varying the fresh foods you give your rabbits.
When giving them, thoroughly wash and slice removing their seeds. Ensure they are free of any pesticides.
What about bell pepper leaves or plants?
Whereas they are not a primary food choice, it is possible for bunnies to eat new leaves and young shoots if you grow this plant in your garden. This indicates that rabbits can eat these leaves, but they are not their most preferred food.
What about seeds
As onlinerabbitcare.com notes, “seeds don’t offer any nutritional benefit to them, and there is always the danger that they lodge themselves in the rabbit’s throat, so I don’t feed them the seeds.”
Can rabbits eat cayenne, chili, and hot peppers?
Rabbits can eat most of the sweet peppers including the bell as we have already seen. However, Petconsider.com warms on hot peppers, i.e., “most (such as cayenne and habanero) are not recommended. It is always a good idea to avoid giving your rabbit any food that is spicy enough to make your nose run and your eyes water.”
To further support this fact, the Hunker.com notes that cayenne pepper spray and powder can be used as a deterrent or repellents for rabbits in your garden. This affirms the above point.
This is the same cause with chill pepper or any other that is hot. Besides the discomfort, they can also potentially cause some gastrointestinal problems.
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