vegetable · Safe

Can cats eat bell peppers?

Yes, in small amounts. Plain bell peppers are non-toxic to cats — unlike hot chili peppers, they carry no capsaicin. They are mostly water with vitamins, so a small piece raw or cooked is a fine occasional treat. Keep it plain and remove the seeds and stem.

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Safe — small pieces of sweet pepperFine as a small, plain treat

Can cats eat bell peppers?

Yes, in small amounts. Plain bell peppers are non-toxic to cats — unlike hot chili peppers, they carry no capsaicin. They are mostly water with vitamins, so a small piece raw or cooked is a fine occasional treat. Keep it plain and remove the seeds and stem.

Source-linked record · Last reviewed July 17, 2026 · Not veterinary advice

Why this answer

Bell peppers contain no feline toxin and, being sweet peppers, lack the capsaicin that makes hot peppers irritating, so the flesh is safe in small amounts. They are largely water and vitamins with little for an obligate carnivore, so they stay a treat, and the tough stem and seeds are best removed to keep things easy to digest.

Watch for

  • Mild loose stool if a cat eats a lot
  • Stomach upset from the skin in a sensitive cat

How much is okay

A few small pieces of sweet pepper flesh, about 1 cm, once or twice a week, raw or lightly cooked.

Serve it safely

  • Wash, remove the seeds and stem, and cut a small piece of flesh.
  • Serve raw or lightly cooked and plain, with no oil or seasoning.
  • Never offer hot or spicy peppers, which irritate a cat's mouth and gut.
Sources and evidence notes (3)
  1. Feeding Your Cat Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine — Feline nutrition fundamentals: cats are obligate carnivores; complete balanced cat food should be the diet base; treats should stay a small share of daily calories.
  2. Petfoodology Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University — Board-certified veterinary nutritionist guidance on pet diets, treat limits (about 10% of daily calories), human-food snacks, and species-appropriate feeding for cats and dogs.
  3. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — Multi-species veterinary toxicology list covering alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, citrus, coconut, grapes and raisins, macadamia nuts, milk and dairy, nuts, onions, garlic and chives, raw meat and eggs, salty snacks, xylitol, and yeast dough.

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  • SafeFine as a small, plain treat
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