Countless times, many of us have ignored the advice that our dogs shouldn’t be fed from our tables.
To escape the guilt of saying no to them, we may have given our pups some bits and pieces of our own food. Truth be told, it can sometimes do more harm than good.
However, if you’re wondering whether celery is safe for your dogs; the short answer is generally yes. That said, there are some caveats you should be aware of. Let’s discuss them and get to know our dogs better.
Can Dogs Eat Celery?
Yes, celery is generally not only safe could also be good for dogs.
Celery’s low caloric value and abundance of vitamins and minerals make it one of the most nutritionally favorable treats for dogs, in terms of calorie-to-nutrition ratio. The health benefits offered by adding celery to your dog’s diet may include:
Boosting Vision, Immunity, and Bone Health
Celery is loaded with vitamins. This includes vitamins A, C, and K.
Vitamin A is renowned for improving a dog’s eyesight and prevent age-related vision loss. It also helps with the health of your dogs’ muscle maintenance and nervous system.
Vitamin C supports the immune system of dogs.
Vitamin K plays a chief role in improving your dogs’ bone health and natural blood clotting strength.
Celery Can Strengthen Digestive and Cognitive Functions
In addition to being rich in vitamins, celery is also rich in minerals such as zinc and manganese.
Just as with vitamin C, zinc also helps in boosting a dog’s immunity. Other than that, zinc strengthens the digestive function in dogs, and it is linked to promoting their cognitive abilities as well.
Manganese aids in maintaining optimal blood sugar levels, delivers anti-inflammatory action, and may improve skeletal defects.
Celery Can Help Keep Dogs Hydrated
The potassium content in celery is pretty high — roughly as high as in a banana! Potassium is a powerful electrolyte that keeps your dogs hydrated, and prevents muscle cramps in them.
Celery Can Help Keep Kidneys and Heart Healthy
Giving your dogs sufficient potassium by introducing celery in their diets also helps with keeping their kidneys and heart healthy. However, you shouldn’t try to use celery as a standalone treatment for any cardio or renal issues your dogs are going through.
Can Celery Be Harmful to Dogs?
Celery is generally harmless for dogs.
Still, the usual and customary measures should be taken to give a dog the best of celery’s benefits.
It should be thoroughly washed before feeding to dogs, to get rid of the harmful bacteria and dirt that could be trapped inside the folds of celery’s sticks.
Celery leaves should likely be avoided when it comes to feeding dogs, as they may be toxic.
Finally, never give dogs celery amounting to more than 10% of their daily caloric intake.
Can Dogs Eat Celery Raw?
Yes, dogs can eat celery raw.
After removing the celery’s leaves and thoroughly rinsing it with water as mentioned above, you can simply cut the raw celery sticks into easily chewable pieces and feed dogs with them.
Although your dogs can safely eat celery either way — raw or cooked; the latter is better in terms of ease of chewing, swallowing, and digesting.
Bear in mind to not add any seasonings, as they can upset a dog’s tummies. Anyway, most dogs really enjoy the natural flavor of celery!
Can Dogs Have Too Much Celery?
If it may be possible your dog ate too much celery, watch carefully for any symptoms of stomach issues.
Symptoms could include fatigue, reduced appetite, apparent discomfort, vomiting and/or diarrhea, decreased water consumption, and/or increased licking of lips, objects, or the air.
Contact your veterinarian if you observe these symptoms.
Learn more helpful tips for mastering dog care at The Dog’s Avenue.
Editor’s Note
This article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not to be used as a replacement for veterinary advice. Factors like a dog’s age, health, and diet can impact the safety of a food, activity, or product for the dog.
You should regularly consult with your dog’s veterinarian to learn how you can provide the best care for your dog. Always ask your dog’s veterinarian before giving your dog a new food or trying out a new activity or product.
