Many Dog Owners Often Wonder If Celery Is Good For Their Pets.

Just like humans, dogs also need a balanced diet too. But even though vegetables and fruits are popular treats, some of them aren’t that healthy and maybe even unsafe for your dog. And no one wants to jeopardize the health of their furry friend, that’s why it makes sense that one would want to find out first whether dogs can eat celery.

Celery has tons of benefits for humans but is it the same case with our four-legged friends? The quick answer is yes. Dogs can eat celery since it contains essential nutrients such as vitamin A. It also contains fiber which is helpful with digestion but let’s take an in-depth look at this vegetable and the effects it might have on your dog.

First, What is Celery?

Celery is said to be a part of the parsley family. It grew in the Mediterranean region about 3000 years ago. This vegetable has a crunchy taste, and it’s mostly used in salads and soups. However, some people consume it as a portable snack.

Today, we eat celery from the marshland plant. Although the exact date when people began cultivating this vegetable is unknown, it’s been here for thousands of years.

Celery Health Benefits

Celery contains essential vitamins including A, C, and K. It also has antioxidants and is rich in fiber. Not to mention, it contains high water content. But the salt content of this vegetable is also relatively high, even though it is considered a low sodium food in general.

Can Dogs Eat Celery?

Now that we understand what celery is and its health benefits, we can ask is it really safe for dogs?, similar to avocados, This vegetable is safe for your pet. Many vets recommend that you include the plant in your dog’s diet, however, not in large amounts.

The most important food in a puppy’s diet is protein. But vegetables like celery are also a great treat, especially those dogs struggling with weight issues. But bear in mind that treats are not supposed to exceed more than 10% of your puppy’s diet. Remember that dogs are omnivorous and they need other nutrients apart from those contained in celery to survive.

That said, let’ take a look at the nutrients in celery and the role they play in your pet’s health.

• Vitamin A – Helps proper functioning of muscles as well as nerves and helps your dog’s skin to be healthy.
• Vitamin K – Aids in blood clotting.
• Vitamin C – Helps sick or stressed dogs recover quickly.
• Fiber – Important in digestion and weight management.

Can Celery be Bad for Your Dog?

Generally, when taken in small quantities, the vegetable is safe for your dog. But, it does come with some risks which can occur, especially when you feed your pet with high amounts of this vegetable.

Celery is however problematic for small dogs since they may have a hard time swallowing it and passing it once it’s swallowed. For this reason, you might have second thoughts about feeding your puppy this vegetable.

There are also some other concerns too. Like we’ve earlier said, the salt content in this plant is a bit high compared to that in other vegetables. In as much as dogs can pass excess sodium in their urine, we know that long term use of sodium can lead to serious kidney and blood pressure problems.

Also, some people are worried that because it is a mass produced plant, much of it sold in stores may contain pesticides such as Chlorothalonil which can cause canine cancer in dogs.

Raw or Cooked Celery, which one is Best for Your Dog?

Well, many dog owners feed their pets with raw celery and it brings no negative effects. But, ensure that you’ve correctly prepared so that your pet will not have a problem eating it raw. Chop into small pieces, and it’s also wise that you remove stringy parts that can make swallowing difficult.

Your dog can also eat cooked celery as well. Most people cook it to make it easier for their puppies to chew. Take proper measures when cooking, and don’t forget to cut it into small pieces.

How to Serve Celery to Your Dogs

Celery is not something that dogs need to have. So, it’s more of a treat than an essential part of your pet’s diet. And since treats should be limited, you also should moderate how much celery your dog takes. Don’t ever replace the nutrients that your dog actually needs with celery. A few pieces of this veggie, which are washed and finely chopped, are enough.

Celery and Bad Breath in Dogs

Many dog owners appreciate this vegetable as they claim it gives their pets fresh breath. Well, since celery contains a lot of water, it could stimulate saliva and treat bad breath.  While there isn’t scientific evidence to prove whether it can treat bad breath, at least it’s a natural way to freshen breath.

Final Thoughts

Dogs can eat celery. But ensure that if your pet loves this vegetable, give him a small amount at most once in a week. Also, you should chop it into fine pieces or else it can lead to choking. Celery can be healthy as it helps manage your dog’s weight and also freshen his breath.