Can Dogs Eat Celery?

Yes, dogs can eat celery. In fact, celery can be beneficial to a dog’s health, as it is low in calories and fat, and contains vitamins and minerals like vitamin A, C, and K, and potassium. However, too much celery can cause dogs to urinate more than usual.

Therefore, remember to give celery to your dog in moderation as part of a balanced diet. Also, cut it into small, digestible pieces to avoid choking hazards and to make it easier for your dog to consume.

Last Updated on September 20, 2023

Dogs are notoriously non-picky when it comes to the foods they will eat. If you are a dog owner, then chances are you have probably feed them a little bit of everything. A diet that is safe for human consumption, though, doesn’t necessarily equate to one that is safe for Fido.

Fortunately, we have taken the time to evaluate the overall safety and health benefits of different potential dog foods. That way, you can get the information you need about feeding your pet without the hazards of trial and error. Without further ado, here is all the information you need about feeding your dog celery.

Dog eating fruit and vegetables

Is Celery Safe for Dogs?

Celery is safe for canine consumption, though you might need some good luck getting them to eat it — presentation matters. You should make sure to clean the celery leaves and stalk before presenting it to your pooch. It is also worth considering organic celery, which does not have pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides.

Celery can be an inexpensive chew toy too. The celery sticks offer a low-calorie material that comes with a crunchy texture that your canine may love. Plus, the fibrous strands can help mitigate plaque while strengthening your dog’s jaw muscles.

Can Dogs Eat Celery-Related Products?

The odds are you eat celery raw with some form of condiment. That can include everything from blue cheese dip to peanut butter. Many other individuals use it as a garnish to decorate a salad, alcoholic beverage, or soup.

Related: Can Dogs Get High?

Generally speaking, your dog will be able to enjoy celery in these forms, too. That said, you should proceed with some caution. Giving your pooch celery laced in a Blood Mary is not advisable, nor should you provide them with celery with an onion or garlic dip on it.

Health Benefits

Celery has one of the highest water contents of any food as the raw version contains 95 percent water. That is second only to lettuce, which comes in at 96 percent. This composition makes celery an attractive option as a source of hydration.

Humans get approximately 20 percent of their daily fluid intake from food. Having water-rich options like celery, broccoli, grapefruit, and vanilla yogurt makes it easier for us to get the water we need for a healthy and active lifestyle. While it is unclear whether dogs need the same percentage of fluid from food, they can get a sizeable portion from celery.

Juicing a cup of celery will yield approximately half a cup of water. Additionally, that water is a vibrant source of fiber and essential nutrients, such as vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin B-2, folate, potassium, and pantothenic acid. It is also an excellent source of antioxidants.

Antioxidants are a crucial part of a dog’s bodily functions as they mitigate the potential damage of free radicals on cells. Celery provides this benefit through the compound apigenin and luteolin. Both have connections that suggest they can treat a range of different inflammations.

For instance, a 2017 study in the Central European Journal of Immunology found luteolin reduced swelling and immune responses in mice. The luteolin specifically targeted inflammation in the lungs and nasal passages. The same year, scientists published a study in the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, concluding that apigenin in celery can delay the aches and pains associated with arthritis.

Celery can also improve cardiovascular health. It contains chemicals known as antihypertensives, which work to lower blood pressure and put less strain on the heart. The vegetables may also aid against the metastasizing of cancer as well as high cholesterol.

Health Drawbacks

The health drawbacks of celery are virtually zero. If there is a real concern, it is figuring out why your dog likes celery in the first place (just kidding). The most important thing to do is wash the celery leaves and stalk before serving it to eliminate unwanted pathogens.

It is also worth mentioning that the high-water content of celery can lead to increased urination. This result is believable considering the celery is majority water. If you find your dog peeing excessively, you should tamp down the number of vegetables you are giving your pup.

Summing It Up

You are free to let your dog eat as much celery as they want. The garden staple is a crunch and hydrating food, though, the odds are your four-legged friend won’t crave this stringy snack. If you’re going to increase the amount of celery in your canine’s diet, you can try adding peanut butter to the crevice or mixing bite-sized pieces into their dog food.

Celery is a non-toxic food with minimal risk for choking, even for small canines. Keep in mind, though your pup can eat celery, it does not mean that it is the best food for their diet. If you have any questions or concerns about the overall nutrition of your dog, reach out to your local veterinarian.

Related: Can Dogs Eat Cantaloupe?Can Dogs Have Ham?

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