Can Dogs Eat Celery?

Whether you’re dunking celery into hummus or chopping it up to go into a stew, if your dog is watching you do it — which they no doubt are — you may be wondering,  can dogs eat celery? 

We know celery is packed full of benefits for us. So, is it a healthy treat for dogs too? Is celery safe for dogs?

Read on to find out whether your dog can eat this crunchy vegetable and how to feed it to them. 

Yes, celery is not only non-toxic to dogs, it’s also low in calories and high in nutrients — making it the ideal snack for your pup and the perfect alternative to high-calorie, over-processed dog treats. As celery is 95% water this is particularly beneficial for extra hydration on a hot, sunny day. 

Can dogs eat cooked celery?

Yes, dogs can eat celery cooked or raw. In fact, you may find that your pup prefers it cooked as it will be softer and easier to digest. It also won’t have so much of a stringy texture that some dogs may be put off by. 

While it’s one of the vegetables or fruits recommended for dogs and has a lot of health benefits, like with all food, it should be fed in moderation. 

As with all new food, it’s best to start small. Try feeding your dog one little piece of celery to start, and wait 24 hours to see if there are any adverse reactions. Although it’s rare, your dog could have an allergy to celery. 

It’s best to offer it as an occasional treat because of the high amount of fiber; too much could cause your dog to have an upset stomach or diarrhea. There’s also 35 mg of sodium per stalk which is quite high for a vegetable. If your pup eats a large amount, this could put stress on their kidneys. 

If you have a small dog then you don’t want to feed them more than a quarter cup of chopped celery once a week. Larger dogs could have up to half a cup of chopped celery each week.

Whenever you try feeding your dog something new, it’s best to start small, and even consult your vet first if your dog has a very sensitive stomach or underling gastrointestinal disorder. Try feeding your dog one little piece of celery to start, and wait 24 hours to see if there are any adverse reactions. Although it’s rare, your dog could have an allergy to celery. 

Celery should only be fed as an occasional treat. Because of the high amount of fiber, too much could cause your dog to have an upset stomach or diarrhea. There is also a high amount of sodium in celery for a vegetable, at 35 mg per stalk. If your pup eats a large amount, this could put stress on their kidneys. 

For a small dog, you could give them up to ¼ cup of chopped celery once per week. The bigger guys could handle up to ½ cup of chopped celery per week. 

Dogs can eat celery cooked or raw. Celery is on the dirty dozen list for produce with the most pesticides, so it’s best to buy organic or wash it well. Always chop the celery up into bite-sized pieces so that it’s not a choking hazard. You can boil it or steam it if you like, but be sure to skip the seasonings. Certain seasonings can be harmful to your pet. For an extra special treat, you can put a little peanut butter on it!

Celery is safe for dogs and is a very healthy snack but, as with all human food, you shouldn’t overfeed it to them. If they eat too much of it this could result in digestive issues. You also need to be careful to feed them small pieces so they don’t choke and always wash it to remove any pesticides. 

You only want to feed you dog pet food that is going to be beneficial to their health  — and delicious, of course. Check out our friends over at Dog Food Advisor for advice including the best fresh dog food and the best natural dog food.

Celery has many health benefits for dogs in the same way it does for us humans. The three main benefits are weight loss, dental hygiene and additional nutrients. 

Helps manage weight

Celery is a low-calorie food that contains no fats or cholesterol. It’s also high in fiber, which will keep your pal feeling full longer and help keep their digestive system running smoothly. A whopping 56% of dogs in the United States are considered overweight or obese. Obesity is linked to many health problems, such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Swapping out some dog biscuits for celery can help your pup shed a little weight. 

Freshens your pup’s breath

Does your dog’s breath smell a bit unpleasant? Celery could help them with their dental hygiene. The crunchy texture and high water content can help stimulate the production of saliva and cleanse their mouths of bacteria and plaque. While celery won’t replace brushing your dog’s teeth, it could help freshen their breath a little. 

Provides plenty of healthy nutrients

Celery is an excellent source of powerful vitamins A, C, and K. It’s also high in folate, potassium, and manganese. These vitamins help your dog's health in many ways. For example, vitamin A supports bone growth and healthy vision. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that gives your dog’s immune system a boost and combats damaging free radicals. And vitamin K helps to promote blood clotting and coagulation.

Celery is on the list of produce with the most pesticides so the first thing you need to do is make sure you wash it well or, while you still may want to give it a wash, you could buy organic. 

If you’re feeding celery to them raw then you might be wondering, can dogs eat celery sticks? The answer is no — you shouldn’t feed your dog a whole celery stick. You should always chop it up into bite-sized pieces so that it’s not a choking hazard. This is important for all dogs but especially smaller ones. 

If you’re cooking it then you can boil or steam it. Either way, don’t add any seasonings as some can be harmful to your pet. This should also be chopped up into smaller pieces. 

If you want to make it an extra special treat then you could always add a little peanut butter to it. Just make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol as this is very dangerous for dogs and be sure they’re not allergic to peanuts. 

You should also keep in mind that while peanut butter has some nutritional benefits to dogs, it is also high in sugar, salt and fats, so a very small amount should be added and this should only be fed to them very occasionally.  

A good question. While you now know celery is a safe and healthy snack for your dog, do dogs even like eating celery? Like many foods, some dogs will absolutely love it and others will turn their nose up at it. It’s not essential that they eat celery so you can always try them with a small piece and if they like it, great. If they don’t, why not try another fruit or vegetable? They might enjoy the crunch of an apple or the sweet taste of a blueberry more than celery. 

Juicing is a popular way humans get their veggies in for the day so can celery juice benefit our pups too? While dogs can drink celery juice in small amounts keep in mind that juices are usually very concentrated.

There are no guidelines for how much celery juice you can feed your dog, but it's important to quantify their serving size by how much celery you've used, not by how much liquid they're drinking. Start with no more than a quarter cup of raw chopped celery juiced and see how they find it. 

Used in eastern medicine for thousands of years, celery seed can benefit dogs in many ways. They may help ease arthritis, and lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Celery seeds are also high in antioxidants and omega-6 fatty acids. 

As with any herbal supplement, it's essential to consult your vet first. There's a chance that celery seeds could conflict with your dog's medications. Once your vet gives you the go-ahead, you could buy a formulated supplement or simply sprinkle some seeds over your dog's food. 

Overall, celery is a nutritious snack that can replace high-calorie dog biscuits and help with weight loss. Be sure to only feed it as an occasional treat, and it can be a healthy addition to your pup’s balanced diet. 

While celery is perfectly safe for your pup, if you suspect they have eaten a toxic fruit or vegetable then they need to be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Browse and compare the best pet insurance plans to make sure you are covered.