Dogs don’t need to eat fruits and vegetables as humans do. However, some of these foods can be okay for your pup to have in moderation. They can have added health benefits for your doggo. So, dog owners want to know, can dogs eat celery? Believe it or not, yes, they can. Let’s learn more about dogs and adding celery to their diet.
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Can Dogs Have Celery?
But is celery safe for dogs to eat? Yes, in small quantities, celery is safe for dogs to consume. Celery can do wonders for your dog’s system, including helping them to lose weight. However, that’s not all this vegetable can do. Before we go further, let’s look at some of the nutritional facts for celery.
Celery Nutrition Facts
This vegetable is low in fat, sugar, and cholesterol. In addition, it’s a great source of fiber and many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some added benefits are that it’ll help your dog lose weight and freshen their breath, which is always a bonus.
According to WebMD, one cup of chopped celery contains the following:
| Nutrition | Amount (in grams) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 14 |
| Protein | Less than 1 gram |
| Fat | Less than 1 gram |
| Carbohydrates | 3 grams |
| Fiber | 1.6 grams |
| Sugar | 1 gram |
Also, celery contains the following:
- Vitamins A, C, and K
- Potassium
- Folate
- Flavonoids
- High water content
Celery helps to prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease. It’ll also help manage blood pressure.
But now that we know the nutrition facts of celery, how exactly can this vegetable be good for your dog?
What Are The Benefits Of Feeding Celery To Dogs?
Is celery good for dogs? Yes, it is.
However, as with all human food, this veggie should only be given to your doggo in moderation. You don’t need to feed them every day, either, unless it’s a small piece.
It’s easy to see the many health benefits this vegetable provides. So, let’s take a closer look at some of them when feeding dogs celery.
Vitamins
Celery contains vitamin A, vitamin B9, vitamin C, and vitamin K. Together, these vitamins support many functions within your dog’s system.
For example, vitamin A helps keep their immune system, bone health and growth, reproductive system, and vision healthy.
Vitamin B9, also known as folate or folic acid, is essential for red blood cell production.
Vitamin C is, of course, an antioxidant that provides a lot of support. For instance, it boosts your doggo’s overall immune system and prevents the risk of certain cancers and cognitive aging. Also, vitamin C combats free radicals from damaging the molecules and cells within your dog’s body.
Finally, vitamin K battles proper blood clotting and coagulation.
Minerals
Celery contains many minerals, such as potassium, calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium.
Potassium supports kidney, heart, and muscle function. Also, it supports a healthy digestive system.
Calcium, zinc, and iron support overall bone growth and structure. Also, they help boost your pup’s immune system.
Finally, magnesium aids the metabolism through protein and fatty acids. It’ll also boost your furry friend’s energy.
Fiber
Fiber will not only leave your dog feeling full longer, but it aids their overall digestive system and supports healthy digestion.
However, too much fiber can have the opposite effect and give your pup an upset stomach.
High Water Content
Celery is about 95% water. If your dog is dehydrated or they’ve been playing outside on a hot day, then a stick of celery is a great snack. It will give them a boost in nutrients, but it’ll also hydrate your pup.
Combat Obesity And Bad Breath
Finally, this vegetable helps combat obesity in dogs and freshens their breath simultaneously. For example, a celery stick’s crunch and high water content will clear away the plaque on your dog’s teeth, acting as a natural toothbrush. However, it shouldn’t be an alternative to brushing your dog’s teeth.
In addition, since celery is low in calories and sugar, it can keep your doggo feeling fit physically and mentally.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Feeding Dogs Celery?
But is celery bad for dogs? Even though celery has many advantages for your doggo’s system, some drawbacks are certain. Let’s talk about some of them below.
High In Sodium
Even though celery is low in sugar and other nutrients, it has a high salt content. Consuming too much sodium, especially for a dog, can put pressure on their kidneys. Thus, harming your pup’s kidneys and making them sick.
Frequent Urination
In addition, there’s a lack of diuretics in celery, which can cause your doggo to pee more frequently. So, there might be more accidents in the house for you to clean up.
Also, celery can give your doggo an upset stomach or diarrhea if they overeat it.
Choking Hazard
Finally, celery can pose a choking hazard. Celery is a stringy vegetable. If not chopped into small enough pieces, the string can get caught in your pup’s throat. In addition, if swallowed, the string may be hard to digest for some doggos.
Parts Of The Celery Your Dog Can And Can’t Eat
There aren’t too many parts of the celery that you need to worry about. Your dog will be able to eat this veggie raw, cooked, pureed, chopped, or whole. As long as you’re mindful of the quantities you feed your pup and ensure the pieces are big enough for your pup to chew and swallow carefully without choking.
| Part of the Celery | Safe for your Dog? |
|---|---|
| Celery Stem or Celery Stalk | Yes |
| Celry Leaves | Yes |
| Celery String | Maybe |
| Celery Root | Yes |
| Celery Seeds | Yes |
All parts are safe for your dog to consume. However, you’ll want to be careful about stringy celery. Some dogs may choke on it, or they won’t be able to digest it properly. So, they can eat it, but it might be best to stay away from it.
How Much Celery Can Dogs Eat?
As with all dogs, you should use the 90/10 rule for your pup’s diet. This rule means that your dog’s diet should be about 90% of their commercial dog food, and the other 10% should be treats and other dog-friendly snacks.
Celery should be included in that 10%. The vegetable should not replace any part of your dog’s main diet or meal.
In other words, celery should only be given to your doggo as a treat. So, if you want a healthier alternative or your dog needs to lose some weight, you can replace some of their dogs treats with celery pieces.
Be sure to talk to your dog’s veterinarian before trying new foods with your doggo. Then, speak to them about how much you can give your furry friend to keep them healthy.
How To Feed Your Dog Celery
As mentioned before, celery is a great healthy alternative to help your dog lose weight. However, some dogs are picky or don’t like to try new foods.
Celery can be a hit-or-miss veggie for some dogs, so how else can you feed it to your furry friend?
A few options are to pair the celery with something. For example, you can put a little bit of peanut butter on it to entice your pup. However, don’t feed them too much peanut butter. While dogs can eat it, peanut butter may contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
Otherwise, you can chop up some celery pieces to add to their dinner. Your pup will get some of the celery in their system without noticing since they’ll have the flavor of their dinner to cover it up.
Finally, you can try pairing the celery with another type of dog treat that you have on hand.
How To Prepare Celery For Dogs
Celery is safe for dogs to eat when it’s raw, cooked, chopped, or pureed. Be sure to buy organic celery at the grocery store to ensure no herbicides or pesticides on the vegetable.
Regardless of whether you buy organic or not, always wash the veggie thoroughly before preparing it for your furry friend.
Then, chop it into small, bite-sized pieces. For small dog breeds, smaller pieces are better. Otherwise, big pieces of celery could be a choking hazard. You can get away with chopping the celery into slightly bigger pieces for large dog breeds.
Always monitor your dog when feeding them a new food to see how their body reacts to it. Also, you want to make sure that your doggo chews carefully and swallows it all without issue.
Dog-Friendly Recipes That Include Celery
If you have the time and want to make healthy snacks for your pup, try some of these homemade dog treat recipes below.
Dog Treats With Celery
On the other hand, if you don’t have the time to make homemade dog treats, then you can try out the following dog treats that contain celery.
- Charlee Bear Chicken Soup & Garden Veggie Flavor Dog Treats
- Full Moon Organic Chicken Training Grain-Free Dog Treats
- Nylabone Natural Healthy Edibles Biscuits Beef & Veggie Recipe Grain-Free Dog Treats
Question Corner: FAQs About Dogs Eating Celery
If you have more questions about feeding dogs celery, then take a look at some of the frequently asked questions below.
Can Dogs Eat Celery Sticks?
Yes, they can. Whether raw or cooked, make sure that you chop the celery sticks into small, bite-sized pieces. Otherwise, it could be a choking hazard for your pup.
Can Dogs Eat Celery Leaves?
Yes, celery leaves are also safe for your doggo to eat. Similar to other celery parts, make sure you cut them into small enough pieces so your dog won’t choke. You can even sprinkle some leaves on their dog food as a garnish.
Can Dogs Eat Celery Root?
Yes, dogs can eat celery root. However, it’s best to cook it to soften the root for your pup to chew. As with other parts of the celery, the root should be given in moderation. Your doggo will most likely enjoy the stalk or leaves much more than the root.
Can Dogs Eat Celery Seeds?
Believe it or not, dogs can eat celery seeds. The seeds have special properties that can help reduce your dog’s blood pressure and cholesterol. They also have anti-inflammatory properties. However, celery seeds should be given in moderation, as with the other parts of this vegetable.
Can Dogs Eat Raw Celery?
Yes, as long as the celery is chopped up in small pieces that’s easy for your furry friend to chew carefully and swallow without choking.
Can Dogs Eat Celery Juice?
Juicing celery takes away some of the fiber. Also, celery juice is high in sodium. So, your dog can have a small sip here and there if you’re drinking celery juice. Otherwise, it’s best to keep your doggo away from celery juice.
Can Dogs Eat Celery With Peanut Butter?
Yes, in moderation. Peanut butter is okay for dogs to eat as long as it doesn’t contain xylitol and they don’t have food allergies.
Can Dogs Eat Celery And Onions?
No. Celery is okay for dogs in moderation but onions are toxic to dogs. So, make sure you stay away from providing anything to your dog that has onions in it.
Can Dogs Eat Celery With Cheese Whiz?
In small amounts, yes. However, cheese whiz isn’t healthy for dogs to consume. Also, some dogs may be lactose intolerant, so you’ll need to be careful about giving your dog an upset stomach.
Can Dogs Eat Celery With Cream Cheese?
Similar to cheese whiz, cream cheese is okay to add to your dog’s celery, as long as it’s only a little bit. Dogs shouldn’t eat cream cheese, but small amounts of it are okay once in a while.
Can Dogs Eat Celery With Hummus Or Other Dips?
No, dogs shouldn’t have dip. Veggie dip, hummus, cheese dip, guacamole, and other dips are not safe for dogs to consume. These often contain onions, garlic, or preservatives that aren’t safe or healthy for your pup.
Can Celery Treat Bad Breath In Dogs?
Yes, it can. However, it shouldn’t replace brushing your dog’s teeth. Celery stalks can help remove plaque and tartar off the surface of your pup’s teeth, thus freshening their breath. So, it’s good to help with fresh breath once in a while.
Does Commerical Dog Food Contain Celery?
Some dog food and dog treats do contain celery in small amounts. You can also include fresh celery in your dog’s food (if the ingredients don’t have it already) for a small nutrient boost or garnish.
Can Puppies Have Celery?
Technically, yes. Puppies can eat celery, but talk to your veterinarian about it first. Puppies are still growing and developing, so celery can have some health benefits. However, too much can make them sick. Also, celery could be a choking hazard for them.
Can Senior Dogs Have Celery?
Yes, senior dogs can have celery. It can help them with joint problems and prevent specific aging issues. However, their jaw and teeth might be sensitive, so be sure to cut the celery into fine pieces. Or, you can cook it to soften the veggie, making it easier to chew.
Should You Give Your Dog Celery?
Celery is a great choice to provide to your dog. However, it should be given in small quantities and sparingly. Be sure to talk to your dog’s vet about sharing this tasty treat with them if it’s your furry friend’s first time trying celery. Your doggo will undoubtedly thank you later if the vet gives the okay.
Rachel Poli is a content writer and author, but her real job is being a stay-at-home pet mom. Her zoo currently consists of a dog, a cat, two turtles, and two fish tanks. She’s also an avid pet sitter for a few local families, caring for various animals.
After realizing how little information there is for pet sitters on the internet, Rachel decided to start her own animal website. She strives to educate pet parents and pet sitters about the overall care of our furry friends.