Can dogs eat bell peppers?
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.
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.
Important: This page is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different, and individual factors (age, breed, health conditions, medications) can change what's safe. If in doubt, always contact your vet — or the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 in the UK.