Can Dogs Eat Celery?

Written by: Milica Brzakovic
Celery is a very healthy vegetable with many benefits, which unfortunately has been a bit neglected. This is why we're taking a closer look at it today and answering whether dogs can enjoy it or not!

Is celery something you enjoy or use often in your meals because you know how healthy it is?

Even though celery isn’t that hyped for being healthy, like broccoli for example, it’s one of the healthiest vegetables that offer a lot of benefits!

Naturally, you are thinking about sharing some with your dog. But is this a good idea?

Most dogs will eat anything they come across. However, this can sometimes lead to complications and health problems as some food is bad for dogs and should be avoided.

This is why it’s vital to inform yourself because you as a dog owner are responsible for the well-being of your dog. Today we’re taking a closer look on celery and whether it’s something dogs should eat!

Is Celery Safe For Dogs To Eat?

Yes, dogs can eat celery! Not only is it safe but it can be beneficial as well. Celery is often recommended as a weight-loss treat and it has other benefits we’ll explore more in the text.

Celery can be served both cooked and raw. However, there are certain things to think about when giving celery to your dog. Let’s take a look at all these aspects, by starting with the benefits.

SUMMARY:

Celery is safe to feed to dogs. Not only, but it is also healthy for dogs.

Why Is Celery Healthy?

Celery is quite famous for being healthy, even though it hasn’t gotten as much attention as the broccoli for example. But exactly why is it so healthy?

First of all, celery is rich on phytonutrient antioxidants that can be good for arthritic dogs. Secondly, the amount of fibers is very high. Fibers are especially important in preventing diabetes, osteoporosis, and other diseases. Lastly, celery is believed to help in lowering the blood pressure.

Another important benefit from celery is reducing the bad breath. This is something many dog owners desire as bad breath is never fun! Last but not least – celery helps fighting cancer, according to recent studies!

To sum it up, these are the biggest health benefits celery has to offer:

  • Rich in vitamin A, B and C
  • Rich in potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron and magnesium
  • Improves the heart health and fights against cardiovascular diseases
  • Helps in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels
  • Helps in regulating bowel movements
  • Thanks to its anti-inflammatory characteristics it helps dogs with arthritis
  • Contributes to good kidney and urinary tract health
  • Keeps the immune system in good shape

SUMMARY:

Celery helps in fighting cancer, in improving heart health and regulating bowel movements.

How Should I Serve Celery To My Dog?

First of all, like with any new food, celery should be introduced slowly if your dog has never had it before. Start by giving small amounts and if you see that your dog seems to tolerate it you can give bigger portions, but you shouldn’t overdo it then either.

The second thing to think about is that celery can represent a choking hazard, like many other vegetables. This is why you should always chop the stalks in small pieces in order to avoid blockage in the digestion system.

Another thing to have in mind is to string the celery before serving it. Namely, the celery strings are very high in fiber and too much fiber isn’t good, even though it’s very good for dogs in moderation.

SUMMARY:

The best way to serve celery is in small amounts and cut in bite-sized pieces.

Can Dogs Eat Celery Sticks?

Yes, and actually the sticks are the healthiest part of the celery for your dog. Just make sure you wash it thoroughly, string it and cut it into bite-sized chunks before feeding it to your dog.

Can Dogs Eat Celery Leaves?

Even if the leaves are probably the most delicious part of the celery, they should not be fed to dogs. There’s nothing particularly wrong with them if they are grown organically, but if they are not, the leaves collect most pesticides and toxins that could be potentially dangerous to dogs.

So, better go for sticks than leaves!

Raw VS Cooked Celery

Celery can be served both raw, cooked, steamed or in any other way you could think of. Dogs tend to eat celery either way, so it’s up to you to decide how you will serve it.

However, it’s usually considered preferable to cook the celery in order to make the digestion process easier. Raw celery, like raw lettuce and many other vegetables, is a bit harder for dogs to properly digest as they tend to eat fast and not chew the food properly.

What If My Dog Doesn’t Like Celery?

Now that you know how healthy celery is you will probably want your dog to enjoy some of the benefits, right? But what if he or she doesn’t seem to like it and refuses to eat it?

Dogs don’t care about these benefits sometimes. No matter how healthy, some dogs really don’t like celery, or many other healthy things for that matter. Check out this cute puppy “battling” against celery and see for yourself!

Actually, this is not uncommon! Giving your dog plain pieces of celery isn’t that popular among dogs. We usually include celery in a meal, instead of eating it plain, and dogs tend to prefer the same thing actually!

You can try cooking some, mashing it up and and adding some to a portion of dog food. Another popular way to include celery in your dog’s diet is covering pieces of it in peanut butter. This usually works very well! Of course, these are not the only ways – feel free to experiment and discover what works best for your dog!

How Much Celery Should Dogs Eat?

A common mistake is to think that the more vegetables a dog eats the better it is. However, dogs don’t have the same needs as we do, so their need for vegetables isn’t as big as ours. This is why you should limit the amount of vegetables you give your dog.

Giving too much celery to your dog can lead to upset stomach, diarrhea and frequent urination. If your dog shows signs of illness or stomach problems after celery you shouldn’t give it to your dog again.

A good thing about celery is that it’s very low in calories, so if your dog likes and tolerates it, it can be a good occasional treat. But remember – the majority of your dog’s diet should consist of good dog food, vegetables like celery shouldn’t be something they eat every day.

SUMMARY:

Even though celery is a low-calorie vegetable, excessive amounts of celery given to a dog aren’t recommended

Conclusion

Not only is celery safe for dogs to eat, but it’s very healthy as well! It can help arthritic dogs, dogs with heart problems and keeps the immune system in good overall shape.

However, many dogs don’t like eating celery plain, which is why you can include it in meals or treats. When you do, remember to chop it up and string it in order to avoid choking. As always – don’t overdo it.

Even though celery has many benefits, don’t force it on your dog if he refuses to it eat it. Dogs don’t have same needs as we do when it comes to vegetables, so it’s not the end of the world if your dog doesn’t like celery!