from the dog health hub
Can Dogs Eat Bell Peppers? Yes, Plain and Deseeded
Yes. Sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, orange or green) are safe for most dogs in moderation. Red peppers carry the most vitamins. Serve them plain with the stalk and seeds removed, and never confuse them with chillies: bell peppers contain essentially no capsaicin, which is exactly why they are fine and their spicy cousins are not.
Why it works
Bell peppers are low in calories and rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene, with red peppers (which are simply ripened green ones) containing the highest levels. Dogs make their own vitamin C, so peppers are not essential, but as an occasional crunchy extra they are a perfectly healthy choice.
Peppers are part of the nightshade family, which worries some owners, but the solanine content of ripe sweet peppers is negligible and not a practical concern at treat quantities. The realistic issues are simpler: the stalk and seed core are indigestible and worth removing, a big load of raw pepper can cause wind or loose stools, and peppers cooked into human dishes usually arrive with oil, salt, onion or garlic attached.
How to serve it safely
- Remove the stalk, core and seeds, then serve raw in thin strips or lightly steamed, which makes them easier to digest.
- Keep it plain. No fajita seasoning, no stuffed peppers, nothing cooked with onion or garlic.
- Small dogs: a strip or two. Medium dogs: a few strips. Large dogs: up to about a quarter of a pepper.
- Start small the first time and see how your dog's stomach handles it before making it a regular.
When to ring the vet
ring your vet if
Wind, gurgling or loose stools after a larger portion · Vomiting if the stalk or core was swallowed whole · Any reaction after peppers from a cooked dish, which may point to the seasoning rather than the pepper
Frequently Asked Questions
Which colour pepper is best for dogs?
Red, by a nose. Red peppers are fully ripened and carry the most vitamin C and beta-carotene. Green, yellow and orange are all safe too, so in practice use whatever is in the fridge.
Can dogs eat cooked peppers?
Plain cooked peppers are fine, and steaming actually makes them easier to digest. The problem is how humans usually cook them: fried in oil with onion and garlic, or buried in seasoning. If it came out of a fajita pan, keep it to yourself.
Are peppers bad for dogs because they are nightshades?
Not in practice. Ripe sweet peppers contain only trace amounts of solanine, and there is no good evidence that treat-sized portions cause problems for healthy dogs. The nightshades to actually avoid are green potatoes and tomato leaves and stems.
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See the multipack →This article is for information, not diagnosis. If your dog has eaten something worrying, ring your vet or, out of hours, an emergency vet. Every dog is different, and your vet knows yours.