Can Dogs Eat Celery? Is It Safe?

We’re always getting told that celery is a wonderful, healthy veggie that’s packed full of nutrients and is very low in fat. Great! But can dogs eat celery? Is this a healthy snack for them too? 

Generally speaking, pups don’t need the same 5 fruits and veg a day that we do. They should be getting everything they need from a well-balanced diet that’s specifically formulated for canine bodies. But a couple of healthy human snacks a day can help to add variety to their diet which they’re sure to love! Here’s what you need to know about safely feeding your dog celery. 

The Health Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Celery

There’s no problem in adding a bit of crunchy celery to your dog’s diet. In fact, there are some major benefits – especially if your pup needs to lose a few pounds.

A stick of celery contains 95% water, (just like lettuce) so not only is it a good snack but it’s a really great way to get more liquid into your dog’s food too.

Vitamin A. Celery contains vitamin A which is really important for your dog’s immune system, reproductive system, vision, and bone growth.

Vitamin K. This vitamin helps with coagulation and blood clotting.

Potassium. Potassium is a great mineral for your pup to eat. It helps with digestive health, heart function, and kidney function. It’s also a really important mineral for muscle function.

Zinc. Zinc is an important part of your dog’s diet. It helps to strengthen your dog’s immune system and can aid with brain function too.

Fiber. Fiber is a really good way for dogs (and humans!) to feel fuller for longer, so your pup won’t constantly be asking for more food. This is especially important for overweight dogs as they’ll feel full and won’t constantly be eating more calories than they need. 

Fiber also helps with digestion and to make your pup go to the bathroom more often! 

Vitamin C. Antioxidants such as vitamin C help your dog’s cells to regenerate, with cognitive function, and give your pup’s immune system a boost.

What Other Benefits Are There of Giving Your Dog Celery?

There are many other positives to feeding your dog celery. A huge one is that celery is a very low-calorie snack to give your dog. It actually only has 7 calories per stalk! It also doesn’t contain any fats or cholesterol. 

Another benefit that dog owners love is that celery can help reduce doggie breath! The hard texture can help to remove some of the nasty bacteria that build up and which cause that iconic dog’s breath smell.

What Are the Potential Risks of Feeding Your Dog Celery?

There are lots of health benefits to feeding dogs celery, but there are also a couple of risks. The main one is that raw celery can be a potential choking hazard – especially for smaller doggos. Make sure that you always cut celery up into bite-sized pieces so they can easily munch it.

We’ve mentioned all the fiber that celery contains, and whilst that’s good for regular pooping and digestive health, it can also cause dogs to have an upset stomach. Make sure you’re not feeding your pup too much of this veggie.

Celery is also a diuretic that can cause your pup to urinate more often by expelling water from their body. If given a lot of celery, this might put unnecessary strain on their kidneys. So, again, making sure you feed your dog celery in moderation is key.

Because celery is so fibrous and particularly stringy, you might find that bits get stuck in your dog’s teeth. Make sure you’re cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly to stop any discomfort or tooth problems from developing.

How Much Celery Should You Feed a Dog?

Your pup should really be getting all of its nutritional needs from its regular dog food. But a couple of extra healthy snacks are OK too. Generally, try to stick to the 10% rule. 

90% of your pup’s daily nutritional and calorie intake should be their normal dog food. The other 10% can be healthy snacks such as celery, watermelon, avocado, broccoli or cucumber.

Therefore, the amount of celery you feed your dog really depends on their size and how many calories they eat per day. For small pups, a couple of little pieces cut up will be enough. Larger dogs may be able to have more. Just work out how many calories there are in the other treats you’re giving them and that together it isn’t more than 10%.

How To Safely Feed Celery to Dogs

Can dogs eat celery? Yes. But how you feed it to them is also important. With other veggies, it’s often important that you cook them before feeding them to your pup to make them easier to digest. You can actually serve your pooch cooked celery, but you don’t have to.

In fact, your pup might love the difference in texture that raw celery brings! Try cutting up chunks of celery and adding them to your dog’s normal food. This is a great way to get more nutrients into your dog’s daily diet and can also be a good way to transition them into fresh dog food (which often has chunks of veggies in them)!

You can also try mixing the veggie with peanut butter and feeding celery to your dog that way. Of course, it’s adding a few extra calories, but healthy peanut butter (that doesn’t contain Xylitol) also has its benefits.

Giving your dog raw celery on a hot day is a great way to cool them down and keep them hydrated. You could also blitz some celery together with another veg (such as broccoli) and a bit of dog-safe yogurt and freeze it for a doggie ice cream. You can also freeze it in a cute toy or puzzle toy for extra fun!

How to Introduce It

All new foods should be introduced slowly into your dog’s diet. Start by giving them a chunk and monitoring them for any reactions (such as diarrhea, vomiting, or signs of nausea). If they seem to enjoy it and there are no problems, slowly introduce a little more until their snack is a healthy amount.

Can Dogs Eat Celery Leaves?

Yes! Technically there’s no problem feeding your pooch celery leaves. However, they don’t have the crunchy texture of the stalk that dogs love and shop-bought celery may contain more pesticides on its leaves than on the stalk. So, it’s probably best to just stick to the stalks.

Can Dogs Eat Celery Sticks?

Yes, it’s OK for dogs to eat celery sticks. Actually, a stick can be a good way of keeping your pup entertained! Just make sure it’s not a potential choking hazard for your pooch.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Celery?

Yes, it’s find to give your dog cooked celery. Actually, cooked celery is softer and becomes less of a choking hazard. Just ensure it isn’t cooked with salt or other potentially toxic seasoning such as onion or garlic.

Final Thoughts – Can Dogs Eat Celery?

Yes! Dogs can eat celery and there are actually many nutritional and health benefits to giving dogs this veggie. Celery contains a lot of water, no fat, and only 7 calories per stalk which makes it a great snack for dogs with weight issues. It’s also versatile and can be fed to them in a number of ways.

As with all human foods, it’s important not to feed them too much. Celery should be a snack and not a source of all their nutritional needs – they should be getting this from their regular food. When given in small amounts, celery can make a tasty and hydrating snack for a hot summer’s day!

Do you want to know if dogs can eat pistachios or cashews? Find out!