Can Dogs Eat Celery?

When you think of celery, you probably think of vegetable platters at parties and how the shape of a celery stick cut in half is perfect for scooping up a bunch of ranch (in fact, certain relatives of mine have been known to refer to celery as an RDV, or ranch delivery vehicle). Or, if you're healthier than those of us here at Cooper's Treats, maybe you just think of it as a cool, crisp snack.

Whether you're eating it slathered with ranch or not, your dog can probably hear that crunch when you bite into it from a mile away. She'd really like to get a piece of it to try herself, so let's answer the question of the day - can dogs eat celery?

CAN DOGS EAT CELERY?

Dogs can have celery, and in fact it can make for an excellent snack, both in terms of its nutritional profile and the nice crunch that many dogs enjoy. It also pairs well with other foods like peanut butter that are good for your dog (and also ranch, which is definitely not good for your dog).

While there are a few things to consider before feeding your dog celery, in general it nonetheless gets a resounding thumbs up from us. It's a great food for people and dogs, and you can't go wrong adding a bit of it to your pup's diet. That said, as always we recommend you follow the traditional guidance of veterinarians - any snacks, including celery, should make up no more than 10% of your dog's diet and should be accompanied by healthy, nutritious dog food. If you have any questions about whether to feed your dog celery or anything else, your best bet is always to talk to your vet first.

IS CELERY GOOD FOR DOGS?

Celery is good for dogs on a lot of levels, and we use it as a snack of choice for our dogs here at Cooper's Treats, particularly on toasty summer days. 

Celery has a few things going for it. First of all, it's extremely low in calories. If your pooch needs to shed a few pounds, switching out his treats for some celery sticks is the perfect way to let him continue to have a refreshing, crunchy snack while also keeping his calorie consumption down. Further, it has an extremely high water content, which helps with hydration, and it's high in fiber, which makes it feel rather filling despite the lack of calories.

Nutritionally, celery has all kinds of good stuff. It has zinc and manganese, two important minerals that carry a variety of health benefits. It has significant amounts of potassium, which is beneficial for the cardiovascular system and the muscles. Celery has antioxidants, which help to reduce inflammation and are generally beneficial for the immune system. It also has vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K, each of which have plenty of benefits from immune system support to improved skin and coat.

RISKS OF GIVING CELERY TO DOGS

While celery is a mostly risk-free food, there are a couple of things to bear in mind. First of all, it can present a choking hazard depending on the size of the dog eating it, so it's safest if you cut it into bite-sized pieces. Second, as with all fruits and vegetables it may be treated with pesticides while it is being grown, so it's always best to make sure to clean the outside before serving it.

Lastly, because it's high in fiber, if you overdo it, particularly if your dog has a sensitive stomach, you may cause digestive issues. Anytime you're introducing a new food to your dog, it's best to start with small amounts and keep an eye out for any negative signs. If everything seems fine, you can go ahead and up the quantity.

With many fruits and vegetables, it's important to feed your dog only the right parts - tomatoes, for example, should have the leaves and stem removed before they're given to dogs. Not so with celery dogs can eat celery sticks, and they can also eat celery leaves. 

Of course, as we've mentioned, if you're going to pair celery with anything, make sure it's something good for your dog. Peanut butter is great, while less-healthy sauces aren't. Honestly, though, your dog probably doesn't any extra sauce - just a nice big celery stick is a wonderful treat.

SO CAN DOGS EAT CELERY?

Not only can dogs eat celery, it really is a great treat on a lot of levels, particularly for those dogs who can't live without a snack or two between meals but need to lose a few pounds to be healthy.

It's easiest to serve your dog raw celery (and that's a great way to go about it), but if you want to mix it up you can also combine it with other nutritious snacks. A little peanut butter smeared on top is great, and you can freeze it to make it last even longer.

So yes, your dog can have celery and you can feel great about giving it to her! If she loves a crunchy treat, it's perfect because it's healthy, requires no preparation and is very affordable.