Can dogs eat bell peppers? Yes, plain and seeded
By the Photoshoot Pets team · Updated November 1, 2026
Fajita night. You’re slicing peppers, a red strip slides off the cutting board, and it’s gone before it hits the floor. Can dogs eat bell peppers? Yes, in moderation, and that raw strip is fine. The pan is a different story, because fajita peppers almost always share it with onions.
Are bell peppers good for dogs? The red ones especially
Bell peppers are crunchy, juicy and low in calories, which makes them a decent swap for a store-bought treat. They carry vitamin C, vitamin A, B6 and beta-carotene, plus some fiber. None of that is something a dog on a complete food is missing, but it’s a nice little extra.
Color matters a bit. Red bell peppers have been on the vine the longest, and they’re the most nutritious of the bunch. Yellow and orange sit in the middle. Green peppers are picked early, so they’re a little more bitter and a little less nutritious, but still safe. If your dog only gets one color, make it red.
Some dogs go wild for the crunch. Others will take one bite, look personally offended and drop it on your rug. Either reaction is normal.
Which peppers are safe?
| Pepper | Okay? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Red bell pepper, raw, seeded | ✅ Yes | The most nutritious color. Cut into strips or bites. |
| Yellow, orange or green bell pepper | ✅ Yes | All safe. Green is a bit more bitter. |
| Plain steamed or roasted bell pepper | ✅ Yes | Softer and easier to digest. No oil or seasoning. |
| Stem and seeds | ⚠️ Remove | Tough and hard to digest. |
| Stuffed peppers | ❌ No | Usually filled with onion, garlic, cheese and seasoned meat. |
| Fajita or stir-fry peppers | ❌ No | Cooked with onion, garlic, oil and spices. |
| Jalapeños, chili peppers, hot sauce | ❌ No | Spicy heat can cause vomiting, diarrhea and a lot of misery. |
| Pickled peppers | ❌ No | Salty, vinegary, often spiced. |
How to serve bell peppers
- Wash it. Same as you would for your own plate.
- Cut out the stem and seeds. They’re tough and can upset a stomach.
- Slice it to size. Thin strips or small bites, depending on your dog.
- Raw or lightly cooked. Raw is crunchier. Steamed is gentler on sensitive stomachs and easier for older dogs to chew.
- Plain only. No salt, oil, butter or seasoning.
How much bell pepper can a dog eat?
Keep all treats, peppers included, under about 10% of your dog’s daily calories. Peppers are light, so calories aren’t really the issue. Their stomach is. Too much at once can cause gas, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Small dogs: a few small pieces.
- Medium dogs: a few strips, cut into bites.
- Large dogs: a small handful of strips.
First time? Start with a piece or two and give it a day. A couple of times a week is plenty for most dogs.
The onion problem with cooked peppers
Here’s where people get caught out. A plain red pepper is a fine snack. But peppers rarely get cooked alone. Fajitas, stir-fries, sausage and peppers, stuffed peppers, pasta sauce: almost all of them start with onion or garlic.
Onion and garlic, along with chives and leeks, are toxic to dogs whether they’re raw, cooked or powdered. They can damage red blood cells, and the effects don’t always show up right away. So if the peppers came out of a pan, don’t share them, even if you’ve picked the onion out. The juices and seasoning are still on there.
Hot peppers are a hard no
Jalapeños, chilis, cayenne, anything spicy. These aren’t the same as bell peppers, and dogs shouldn’t have them. The compound that makes them hot can irritate a dog’s mouth and stomach and lead to vomiting, diarrhea and a very unhappy afternoon. Keep the salsa and hot wings out of reach.
My dog ate peppers with onions. What now?
Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435, even if your dog seems totally fine. Tell them what was in the dish, roughly how much your dog ate and your dog’s weight. Signs of onion or garlic poisoning can take a few days to appear, and they can include weakness, pale gums, vomiting and a fast heartbeat. If it was a plain bell pepper strip, relax. Watch for a gassy evening and that’s usually all.
Can puppies eat bell peppers?
Yes, a tiny piece is fine once your puppy is on solid food. Puppy stomachs are easy to upset, so start with one small, soft bite of steamed red pepper rather than a crunchy raw strip, and wait a day before offering more. If you see loose stools or gas, drop it and try again when they’re older, or don’t bother at all. Their puppy food is doing the real work while they grow, and peppers are only ever a little extra on the side.
Quick answers
- Can dogs eat red bell peppers?
- Yes, and they’re the best pick. Red has the most nutrients. Remove the stem and seeds first.
- Can dogs eat green bell peppers?
- Yes. They’re safe, just a bit more bitter and a little less nutritious than red.
- Can dogs eat cooked peppers?
- Plain steamed or roasted is fine. Peppers cooked with onion, garlic, oil or spices are not.
- Can dogs eat jalapeños?
- No. Spicy peppers can cause stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Stick to bell peppers.
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Every dog is different; talk to your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet. If your dog ate something toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Sources: American Kennel Club, ASPCA.