Celery is a healthy snack for dogs because of its rich nutritional profile. Dogs can get a good dose of antioxidants, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, and zinc from having celery in their diet.
However, feeding your dog celery poses some health risks, especially if it’s not prepared correctly. Find out what adverse effects feeding celery could have on dogs and learn how to make a safe celery snack for your furry companion.
Can dogs have celery?
Celery is safe for dogs to eat, but some dogs might be best to leave it out of their diet due to certain health conditions. Dogs with food allergies or food intolerance may experience an allergic reaction after eating the vegetable.
Be sure to limit the quantities you give your dog. Offer celery in small amounts, especially if it is your dog’s first time eating this vegetable. This will reduce the risk of experiencing digestive problems, including stomach upset.
Is celery good for dogs?
Celery is a vegetable powerhouse rich in essential vitamins and minerals; therefore, dogs can gain a lot of health benefits from it, such as:
- As a low-calorie snack, celery helps with weight loss for overweight dogs.
- High water content adds extra hydration to the body.
- High in fiber, celery promotes good digestion and prevents gastric problems.
- Vitamin A supports eye, muscle, skin, and nervous system health.
- Vitamin C keeps the immune system healthy and wards off diseases.
- Vitamin K plays an essential role in keeping bones healthy and aids in proper blood clotting.
- Antioxidants protect the body from serious diseases such as cancer.
- Manganese alleviates inflammation and promotes blood sugar balance and bone health.
- Potassium aids in the proper functioning of the cardiovascular and renal systems.
- Zinc encourages smooth digestion and efficient cognitive function.
Does feeding celery to dogs have drawbacks?
Generally, celery is one of the vegetables that dogs can safely consume. But it does have a few potential dangers that pet owners should look out for.
Pay attention to the salt.
Celery is considered a low-sodium food. One stalk of celery has about 35 milligrams of sodium. However, if served in large amounts, this can spike the salt in your dog’s body. This makes him susceptible to several health problems, including skin, heart, and kidney diseases.
Increased toilet trips
Keep in mind that celery is high in water content, which makes it a diuretic vegetable. Allowing your dog to overeat celery will result in frequent urination. This requires you to take him out more often.
Beware of tummy problems.
Celery is packed with digestive fiber that supports a dog’s metabolism and digestive system. While this is a good thing, it can quickly turn into a problem if there is too much digestive fiber in your dog’s body. It can cause digestive issues such as diarrhea and gastric upset.
How much celery should dogs eat?
Limiting your dog’s celery consumption is crucial to avoid the veggie’s health hazards. Only give 2-3 short slices of celery to your pooch as vets advise dog owners to follow the 10% rule. Treats, including fruits and vegetables, should only make up 10% of your dog’s daily calorie intake.
Can Puppies Eat Celery?
Ask the vet beforehand if feeding your puppy celery is okay. Puppies are still undergoing growth and development; their digestive system is not yet fully developed, making them more sensitive than adult dogs. Including celery in their meals can mess up their diet and may likely cause digestive issues.
If the vet approves, give your dog small amounts for starters to prevent stomach upset and other gastrointestinal problems.
Can dogs eat celery leaves?
Although celery leaves are not toxic to dogs, they may contain more pesticide residues than the rest of the plant. Luckily, this can be avoided by buying organic celery as it has less chemical exposure.
Celery leaves also tend to have a pepper-like spiciness. Although this helps keep your dog’s breath fresh, he may not like the taste.
Can dogs eat celery seeds?
Celery seeds are a good addition to your pup’s meal as they help in soothing his digestive system and detoxifying his body. So, consider adding celery seeds to your dog’s meal.
Can dogs eat raw celery?
Raw celery is safe for dogs to eat, but it can be difficult for them to digest. As advised earlier, feed it to your pup in small amounts to avoid stomach problems.
Moreover, never give him one whole celery to munch on, as this can accidentally get lodged in his throat and result in choking. To prevent this from happening, be sure to chop the celery into bite-sized pieces.
Can dogs eat cooked celery?
Dogs can eat cooked celery. The cooking process gives celery a softer texture, so it is easier for your dog to chew, and it’s less likely to cause choking. The best way to cook celery is by simply boiling or steaming it.
Do not add other ingredients such as spices, butter, oil, salt, garlic, onion, raisins, and chives. These may seem like great flavor enhancers, but they are harmful to your dog’s health.
How to Prepare Celery for Dogs
Follow these 3 simple steps to prepare celery for your dog safely:
- Opt for fresh celery that is organically grown since it has less exposure to pesticides.
- Wash it thoroughly, especially if it is non-organic. This is to get rid of any bacteria, dirt, and chemical residue.
- Cut the celery into small pieces, then serve it to your dog.