Are you also tired of searching for healthy human foods that you can share with your pup? Well, in this case- celery will be your new bestie! But wait – can dogs eat celery?
The answer is YES. You can feed celery to your dog in moderation. The best part is that you can feed them anyway – cooked or raw! They can benefit your dog in many ways but also come with risks.
Let’s explore everything you need to know about serving celery to your dog!
Is Celery Good For Dogs?
1. Low-fat
Celery is mainly made of water, fiber, and carbohydrates. There is barely any fat in there to cause obesity in dogs. Consider adding celery to their treats menu if your dog is on a weight management plan. These crunchy bites are perfect for snacking and do not add much weight.
2. Vitamins and minerals
Celery is rich in vitamins K, A, and C. These vitamins help with the healthy functioning of the body. Where vitamin A and C helps to keep your pooch active and strengthens immunity, Vitamin K helps to keep their blood thick and healthy. Also, celery has minerals like calcium and potassium.
3. Fibrous
One of the best parts about crunchy veggies is that they are fiber-rich. If your dog suffers from constipation, they probably lack fiber content. Celery has the fibrous properties that help with digestion. It helps to pass the stool smoothly. However, overfeeding can also lead to loose stools, so moderation should be there.
4. Reduces inflammation
Celery has a compound named “luteolin” that helps reduce skin inflammation (study). Even though celery does not have high levels of it, it can show benefits over time.
5. Hydrates
As celery is mostly water, it helps to keep your dog hydrated. You can use celery as a training treat or toss them in dog meals occasionally. This will ensure that your dog is hydrated adequately.
Are There Any Risks of Serving Your Dog Celery?
Nothing comes without risks (except the cuddles)! Celery might be a great source of nutrition for dogs, but it can also pose risks. If you are not careful with celery, here are the possible risks for your dog-
1. Allergies
Dog allergies are one of the most common problems in the doggo world. If your dog is allergic to certain foods, you should be cautious about celery. Consult with your veterinarian before feeding them celery.
Also, you can start feeding with 1-2 bite-sized celery and observe your dog for allergies. Allergies can look like- rashes, abdominal pain, discomfort, or behavior change.
2. Choking hazards
Feeding your dog full-sized celery can cause choking hazards. Especially if your sneaky dog can steal celery off your grocery bag- that can create a nightmare. Small dogs can be eager eaters and gobble down too much celery. They can get stuck in the throat and cause gagging or coughing. Please seek veterinary attention immediately in such situations.
3. Bacterias
Another risk factor for celery is bacteria and pesticides. Taking precautions to safeguard your dog from harmful bacteria would be best. They can cause digestive issues and even loss of appetite. It is best to prepare celery before serving them to your pooch.
Things to Keep in Mind When Feeding Your Dog Celery
1. Prepare them
The first and foremost thing you should do is prepare the celery. Keeping it cooked or raw is your dog’s choice, but the bacteria is not! You should always follow these instructions before you serve your dog crunchy celery:
Step 1: Rinse the celery under running water
Step 2: Remove the leaves as they can carry the pesticides
Moving ahead to,
Step 3: You must remove the strings with a peeler
Step 4: Rinse again to ensure they are properly cleaned
2. Chop in small pieces
The best way to feed celery to your dog is to chop them into tiny pieces. Especially if you have a small-sized dog, you should never feed them whole celery sticks. It can cause a choking hazard. So, to prevent it, you can chop them into bite-sized pieces. To make them even more softer, you can boil or cook them.
3. Refrain from substituting their main meals.
It is essential to note that celery may provide tons of benefits, but it is not enough. Every dog has nutritional requirements that should be fulfilled with main meals. You can add celery to their diet as a treat or a side salad. Please do not substitute their main meals for celery.
4. Say no to seasonings
Our other pet peeve is feeding dogs seasoned food items. Seasonings usually include garlic powder, onion powder, and other harmful herbs. They can cause hazards to your dog, including severe allergies to burning sensations. It would help if you only serve them plain celery without experimenting with the spices. Seasonings will not enhance the flavor for dogs but only degrade celery’s nutritional value.
5. Moderation is the key
Lastly, celery can only benefit your dog if fed in moderation. Anything above a limit causes harm to dogs. If you want to make celery a part of your dog’s diet, you can mix small amounts in the kibbles. You can also use celery as a crunchy training treat.
Conclusion
The final take on “can dogs eat celery?” is a BIG YES. Celery is filled with goodness of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The only catch is to feed them in moderation. If you overfeed them, you can expect your pooch to get sick.
Hence, preparing them well and taking all the precautions will keep you and your pooch away from celery nightmares!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, dogs will love eating celery and peanut butter together. They make a perfect creamy and crunchy bite for dogs. Both of them are safe for dogs if fed in moderation. You also blend them to make a paste. You can put this paste on their chew toys so they can enjoy their teething sessions.
Yes and No. As celery is a safe human food to be consumed, you can make it a part of your dog’s diet. However, it would help if you only feed them in moderation. Celeries should not substitute for their main meals. You can use celery as a training treat that you can toss occasionally. We do not recommend adding celery to all your dog’s meals daily.
Yes. Any food items in excess can upset your dog’s stomach. Even healthy treats like celery can cause digestive issues in dogs. As it is mostly water and fiber, it can cause diarrhea or loose stools. You should start by serving your dog bite-size amounts of celery and check if the body digests it well. If your dog faces digestive problems, please consult your veterinarian.
Even though celery is considered to be safe as a whole, we do not recommend feeding them celery leaves. The leaf part is usually the most with bacteria and pesticides. If you still insist on feeding your dog celery leaves, you can try organic celery. Still, you must wash and clean the leaves properly before feeding.
To prepare celery for dogs, you must wash and clean it properly to eliminate any bacteria. We also recommend removing the leaves as they are home to pesticides. Rest, you can also remove the strings as they can be hard to chew on for dogs. You can use any cooking method or even serve raw celery.
