Can dogs eat bell peppers?
✓ Reviewed against PDSA, Blue Cross & Animal PoisonLine guidance · Last updated: 2026-06-17
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The full picture
Sweet bell peppers are a great dog treat — crunchy, sweet, low-calorie, and packed with vitamins A and C plus beta-carotene. Red peppers are the most nutritious (ripest), but yellow, orange, and green are all fine. Remove the stem and seeds first — they're not toxic but harder to digest. Slice into dog-appropriate pieces. Skip chilli peppers, jalapeños, and any spicy peppers — capsaicin irritates dogs' mouths and stomachs. Stuffed peppers from human meals usually contain onion, garlic, and cheese.
Check individual ingredient safety at 247IngredientsCheck.
For a detailed calorie breakdown, see 247CalorieCheck.
Risks to watch for
- Stem and seeds harder to digest
- Spicy peppers (chilli, jalapeño) irritate
- Stuffed pepper fillings toxic
Potential benefits
- Vitamin A, C, E
- Beta-carotene
- Low calorie
- Crunchy texture
Safe portion size
A few strips for a small dog, a small handful for a large dog.
Does size or breed matter?
No specific toxicity concern from bell peppers itself at any size — this is mainly a portion and preparation question. Always serve plain and cooked or chopped small where relevant, since whole or large raw pieces are a bigger choking risk for small and toy breeds than for large dogs. Introduce any new vegetable gradually, as too much fibre too quickly can cause loose stools regardless of the dog's size.