If I were to ask you to list your favorite foods, my guess is that celery wouldn’t make the top 10. In fact, I’d be willing to bet it wouldn’t make the top 50. Let’s face it: veggies already struggle to make it into our favorite foods. Celery, however, tends to slide under the radar completely. This isn’t to say that celery can’t make a great snack, though. Whether dipped in ranch or slathered in peanut butter, celery can be as delicious as it is nutritious! But how does celery compare in the canine world? If you’re a dog owner like me, you may be wondering: can dogs eat celery?
Sharing food with pets can be a wonderful bonding experience. Sometimes, it can be tempting to share the foods that we just don’t really enjoy. From broccoli to celery, the veggies seem to be the first to hit the floor (aka: dog territory.) After all, at least somebody’s eating it! Unfortunately, sharing food with your dog isn’t always black and white. Although it might seem like a win-win situation, there are things to consider before giving your pet certain “human” foods.
For starters, although different types of food may be good for us, that doesn’t mean that it’s good for them. In fact, sharing food with your dog may lead to dangerous- or even lethal- situations. Because dogs are different than humans, different foods react in different ways. Therefore, we at Furzly believe that it’s important to know which foods you should or shouldn’t feed to your fluffy friends. Let’s take a moment to examine the question, ‘can dogs eat celery?’
Can Dogs Eat Celery?
Despite being forgotten by many people, celery can be a nice treat! Take the classic example of ants on a log, for example. Not only does it taste good, but it’s also a clever and creative snack for kids (or adults!) In addition, celery has numerous health benefits which makes it look like a far cooler snack option!
The short answer to our question, ‘can dogs eat celery?’, is yes! In most cases, celery is a perfectly suitable snack for dogs. However, when it comes to knowing if celery is right for your dog, you have to examine both the benefits and the costs. Yes- even celery has its risks! To examine celery more carefully, let’s take a look at both the benefits and potential hazards.
The Benefits of Giving Your Dog Celery
Much like humans, dogs can gain quite a few health benefits from celery. A truly remarkable vegetable, celery is not only safe, but is also a recommended treat! Although vegetables aren’t typically required for canines like they are for humans, this doesn’t mean that your dog can’t benefit from eating snacks like celery. Here are just a few of the benefits of giving your dog celery:
- Celery is low-fat and low-cholesterol
- Celery is high in fiber and important vitamins
- Some reports suggest that celery can improve bad breath in dogs
- Celery oil may have been behind reducing tumors in lab animals by 38-57%
Because of the health benefits for dogs, celery makes for both a tasty and nutritious treat! In fact, because it’s low in fat, some people recommend celery as a weight-loss option for dogs. If this wasn’t enough to make you consider celery, the potential for improving bad breath should! Overall, there are many pros to feeding your dog celery. However, it’s also critical to consider the potential risks of celery!
The Risks of Giving Your Dog Celery
Despite its numerous good qualities, feeding celery to your dog doesn’t come without risks. Like most foods, there are potential hazards to consider. To better get a sense of these risks, here is a short list of potential cons:
- Celery can make for a choking hazard and should be cut into small pieces
- Like all foods, too much celery can be a bad thing
Half the battle of knowing what to feed your dog is knowing how to feed your dog. Because celery should be used as a treat and not a meal, it should never make up more than 10% of your dog’s caloric intake. In addition, because of its long stalks, celery has the potential to be a choking hazard. This is especially true for smaller breeds! To combat this risk, it’s recommended to slice the celery into small pieces before offering them to your dog. This can also be helpful when managing how much celery your dog eats!
Like all foods, what works for most dogs may not work for your dog. Although generally safe and nutritious, celery may not be the right fit for your fluffy friend. We at Furzly recommend introducing new foods to your dog slowly, and observing their health both during and after the meal. It’s also important to remember that, if ever in doubt, you can consult a veterinarian. There’s no shame in asking questions like, ‘can dogs eat celery?’
Final Thoughts
We at Furzly believe that one of the most important parts of being a pet owner is knowing what to feed your pet. Providing the perfect diet for your dog is part of being a responsible dog owner. However, experimenting with new treats can be a fun and rewarding activity- if done safely. It’s important to always research a food before offering it to your pet. Foods that may seem fine for humans aren’t always fine for our canine pals; in fact, they could be dangerous! Learning both the potential benefits and hazards is a good way to decide if a food is right for your dog.
It’s also worth mentioning that even though a food may be safe for most dogs, it may not work for your individual pet. Every dog is different, meaning your dog may require a different diet. Learning what works for your pet is the best way to formulate a healthy eating plan. Asking questions like, ‘can dogs eat celery?’ is just another way to learn your options. We recommend speaking with a veterinarian to figure out the best foods for your dog!
Further Reading
We hope we’ve been able to answer your question, ‘can dogs eat celery?’ For information about other foods’ safety, as well as some ideas for dog food recipes, here are some additional reads!