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Bell peppers are not recommended for donkeys. Like tomatoes and potatoes, they are nightshades and offer no benefit to your donkey. If he happens to get a small piece of ripe fruit, there is no need to panic. However, you should not include bell peppers in his treats. The plant, leaves, and stems are strictly off-limits.
Why bell peppers are not a good idea
Donkeys come from barren regions. Their digestive system is designed for high-fiber, low-energy, low-sugar feed – straw, high-structure hay, and lean pasture. Supermarket vegetables are not part of this diet.
Two additional points apply to bell peppers. First, they are nightshades. As with tomatoes and potatoes, the green plant parts – leaves, stems, stalks – are unsuitable for donkeys. Second, the fruit itself offers no benefit that would justify this risk. Red and yellow bell peppers are also sweet. And sugar is exactly what donkeys should only receive in very small quantities.
Therefore, the recommendation is not “No, never,” but rather: It is not worth it. There are proven treats that you know what you are giving. And the fewer different snacks there are, the easier it is to keep track of what your donkey is getting overall.
“But don’t bell peppers have so many vitamins?”
This question often comes up. For us humans, bell peppers are a well-known source of vitamin C. This cannot be applied to donkeys. Unlike us humans, equines can produce vitamin C themselves. They are therefore not dependent on getting it from fruit or vegetables.
Generally speaking: What is a useful addition for us is by no means suitable for a donkey. Its needs are met by a well-balanced basic diet – straw as a base, supplemented with late-cut, high-structure hay, water, and, if necessary, salt or mineral feed after consulting your veterinarian. Find out more in our post on Basic Feed for Donkeys: Hay, Straw, and Pasture.
Red, green, spicy: Bell pepper varieties at a glance
| Variety or part | For donkeys? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Red, yellow, orange bell peppers | Not recommended | Sweet, no benefit |
| Green bell peppers | Not recommended | Harvested unripe – even less suitable |
| Peppers, chilies, spicy varieties | No | Spicy compounds irritate the mouth and digestive tract |
| Stem, core, seeds | No | Plant parts, not feed |
| Bell pepper plant, leaves | No | Nightshade – keep beds out of reach |
| Seasoned leftovers, paprika powder | No | Salt, spices, oil, onions |
If you grow bell peppers in your garden, you should plant the beds – just like tomatoes – at a distance from the donkey area. Why this is even more important with tomatoes, you can read in Can Donkeys Eat Tomatoes?.
Proven treats instead of bell peppers
Treats are a reward for donkeys, not a component of their feed. Rare, small, and cut correctly – that is how it should be. If you would like to give your donkey something occasionally, there are better options than bell peppers:
- a few lengthwise-cut cucumber strips – low in sugar, see Can Donkeys Eat Cucumbers?
- a small piece of apple cut into wedges – see Can Donkeys Eat Apples?
- a few lengthwise-cut carrot strips
If your donkey is overweight or has had laminitis before, it is better to avoid treats altogether. You can find the background to this in the post Laminitis in Donkeys. By the way, you should never feed other donkeys without the owner's permission.
You can find all feed items at a glance in What Donkeys Can Eat: The Complete Feed List.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bell peppers toxic to donkeys?
A small piece of ripe fruit is not considered acutely dangerous. The green plant parts such as leaves, stems, and stalks are unsuitable. Since the fruit offers no benefit, bell peppers are not recommended overall.
Can donkeys eat bell pepper seeds?
No. Seeds, seed pods, and stems are not suitable for feed.
Can donkeys eat peppers or chilies?
No. Spicy varieties irritate the mouth and digestive tract and have no place in donkey feed.
My donkey ate a bell pepper – what should I do?
If he ate a piece of ripe bell pepper: stay calm and observe whether he eats normally, passes stool, and behaves as usual. If he has eaten plant parts, spicy varieties, or a large quantity, or if he shows any unusual symptoms, call your veterinarian.
This post provides general guidance on feeding donkeys. If you have questions about your animal, or if there are pre-existing conditions or unusual symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
Would you like to do something good for donkeys without keeping one yourself? With a donkey sponsorship, you support donkey sanctuaries in Germany. And anyone curious about the food that we stand for as DON DONKEY'S® can find our donkey milk here.
