Whether you like celery or not, this green and crunchy veggie packs a nutritious punch. Succulent and inexpensive, celery offers many health benefits to people, but is it safe for dogs to eat?
So, can dogs eat celery? Yes, dogs can eat celery as an occasional treat. Chock full of vitamins and minerals, celery has high water content and virtually no fat. This makes it a healthy and filling snack for dogs that need to lose weight. Celery is also an excellent source of fiber and can freshen your dog’s breath.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and risks of celery and tell you how to safely feed celery to your dog.
Is Celery Good for Dogs?
Not only is celery good for dogs, but it is also one of the healthiest human foods you can feed to your pooch!
This crunchy vegetable contains vitamins A, C, K, and is also rich in folate, potassium, and manganese. It’s also high in fiber, but low in fat and cholesterol which makes it an ideal snack for dogs who need to shed pounds.
Last but not least, celery has high water content and can help keep your dog hydrated on hot summer days.
Benefits of Celery for Dogs
Feeding small amounts of celery to your dog can have a beneficial effect on their entire health! Whether your dog needs to lose weight or you want to include more greens in their diet, celery can be an amazingly healthy treat.
The health benefits of celery for dogs are:
1. Supports a Strong Immune System
Celery contains vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that has many capacities, one of which is the proper functioning of the immune system (source). Vitamin C is also necessary for proper growth and development and wound healing.
Eating fruits and vegetables that are naturally rich in vitamin C, such as celery, may make your dog more adept at fighting off diseases.
2. Celery Promotes Bone Health
Celery contains almost as much potassium as bananas and is also loaded with vitamin K. Both support strong and healthy bones and are especially essential for seniors and working dogs.
3. Celery Supports Healthy Digestion
This green veggie is high in fiber which promotes good digestion and encourages nutrient absorption. Eating fiber-rich foods is beneficial for your dog’s entire digestive system and helps regulate bowel movements.
4. Keeps Your Dog Hydrated
Celery has very high water content, in fact, it’s made from 96% water. This makes celery an ideal summertime snack and a great way to keep your dog hydrated without having to fill its water bowl.
Risks of Celery for Dogs
Adding celery to your dog’s diet can have major benefits for its overall health, but it can also be risky if you don’t do it right. While healthy, celery can’t be used as a substitute for a complete and balanced diet, and you should only use it as a treat.
Some of the risks of feeding your dog celery are:
1. Choking Hazard
While healthy and safe for dogs to eat, celery can pose a choking hazard, especially for small dogs. To reduce the risk of choking, cut up celery into small pieces before feeding it to your dog as a treat.
Furthermore, it’s a good idea to stay close by and keep an eye on your dog while they are eating celery.
2. Gastrointestinal Upset
Eating too much celery at once can cause stomach upset in some dogs, mainly in those who aren’t used to eating high-fiber foods. Your pooch might experience gas, bloating, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating large amounts of celery (source).
If your pooch experiences any of these symptoms, stop feeding them celery and give them boiled chicken breasts and rice. If your dog’s stomach doesn’t show signs of calming down after a day, call your vet and take your dog for a checkup.
3. Excessive Urination
Celery has a diuretic effect, and it may cause your dog to urinate more than usual. While this isn’t a bad thing, per se, your pooch may not be able to hold which will result in peeing accidents inside the house.
How Much Celery Can a Dog Have?
As with all other treats, celery should make up to 10 percent of your dog’s daily calorie intake (source). Before feeding celery to your dog, talk with your vet to see whether they think that your dog can benefit from eating this green veggie.
How About Celery Leaves?
While celery leaves aren’t toxic to dogs, you should avoid feeding them to your canine sidekick.
Celery leaves can easily accumulate pesticides if not grown organically, and be potentially harmful to your dog. When it comes to leaves it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid feeding them to your dog.
However, if the celery is 100 percent organic, there’s no harm in giving celery leaves to dogs to eat, if they want to.
How to Feed Celery to Your Dog?
There are many ways you can feed celery to your dog, just don’t forget to wash it thoroughly first. Since, huge chunks of celery can pose a choking hazard, remember to cut it into bite-size pieces before feeding it to your dog.
Popular ways to feed celery to dogs include:
- Top celery with peanut butter to make it more palatable for your dog
- Chop celery into small pieces and mix it with dog food
- Cut fresh celery and give it to your dog as a treat, if they like eating it raw
- Cook celery and mix it with your dog’s food
Conclusion
Celery can be a great low-calorie treat for overweight dogs, but it can also offer some variety to your dog’s diet. Chock full of valuable vitamins and minerals, celery can boost your dog’s immune system and also keep them hydrated during hot summer days.
Remember, moderation is the key, and you should only feed celery as an occasional treat or a healthy snack. Eating too much celery can cause digestive upset in dogs, so don’t overdo it.
Related Articles:
0 Comments