Yes, dogs can eat celery as an occasional treat. Celery provides high nutrient values to your dog. However, excessive consumption can make your dog sick. Therefore, the wise choice is to consult with your vet before feeding celery to your dog.
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What is Celery?
Celery is a wetland plant (Apium graveolens) belonging to the Apiaceae family used as a vegetable since ancient times. The stem of the celery is tall and woody, descending into leaves. The plant’s stems, leaves, or hypocotyl are consumed and used in cooking, depending on the locale and cultivar. Celery seed powder is a seasoning.
Is Celery Safe for Dogs?
Yes, celery is safe for dogs in moderation. However, there are a few points which are must be mindful about:
Choking hazard: Celery is challenging to break down by dogs if they are not given in bite-sized chunks. They will choke your dog and irritate your dog’s throat.
Raw celery: Raw celery may contain pesticides and bacteria, which can be dangerous to your dog.
Seasoned celery: Your dog should not eat seasoned celery because it contains toxic elements like garlic, onion, and spices.
Why is Celery Good for Dogs?
Celery is suitable for dogs as an occasional treat. Here are a few nutritional benefits that celery provides to your dog:
Dietary fiber: Fiber is an excellent source of nutrients for a dog’s digestive system. The healthy bacteria usually found in your dog’s colon digest fiber into fatty acids. This fatty acid then aids in the recovery of the colon by preventing the expansion of any harmful bacteria.
Vitamin A: Vitamin A helps your dog’s vision, skin and heals wounds easily. It also aids in bone growth, reproduction, and the overall immune system.
Vitamin C: Vitamin C serves as a powerful antioxidant. It can help prevent inflammation and cognitive aging by scavenging potentially damaging free radicals in the body. Although dogs’ livers can generate vitamin C on their own, supplementation may provide health advantages in some situations.
Vitamin K: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble substance required to create coagulation proteins necessary for clotting blood. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), which is generated in plants and can be ingested through food or supplements, is the most common dietary source of Vitamin K.
Calcium: Calcium is an essential dietary component for your dog’s health. It is required for bone and tooth development, nerve impulse transmission, cell communication, muscle contraction, and blood coagulation. Therefore, it’s critical for your dog’s general health that he gets adequate calcium.
Iron: Iron is a mineral that your dog’s body needs to accomplish critical processes, including transporting oxygen throughout the body in the hemoglobin of red blood cells so that his cells can generate energy. Iron is also required to function various enzymes in the body properly.
Folate: Folate ensures fast cell development during puppyhood, adulthood, and pregnancy, regulates homocysteine levels in the blood, employs amino acids to construct new proteins. Vitamin B9 or folate has a role in regular blood production, immunological function, cell division, and tissue development.
Potassium: Potassium is an electrolyte essential for your dog’s health. Potassium helps electrical charges in the heart, nerves, and muscles work correctly. If your dog lacks this vital mineral, you may notice that they are constantly fatigued, which is not normal, or that they have no desire to eat.
Manganese: Manganese is required to produce energy, metabolize protein and carbs, and form fatty acids in dogs. Manganese is a component of many enzymes and aids in the health and preservation of bone and cartilage in joints.
Low in calories: Low-calorie foods are the best for dogs as excessive calorie intake can cause diabetes, obesity, weight gain et cetera. A low-calorie food can always replace unhealthy dog treats.
Water: Water helps your dog’s body to be hydrated. It reduces the chances of dehydration in dogs. Apart from hydrating, it also keeps the digestive tract clean and aids in proper bowel movement.
Antioxidants: Chronic inflammation, a hallmark of many complex health conditions in animals, are neutralized by antioxidants. Antioxidant intake may help with any chronic autoimmune illness.
Why Is Celery Bad for Dogs?
Celery is bad for dogs due to various reasons. Let us see the downsides of celery:
Choking hazard: Celery is hard to break down for dogs. Hence, consuming celery can choke your dog. Choking can result in:
Throat irritation
Coughing
Gagging
Stomach pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Pesticides and Bacteria: Raw celery has higher pesticides, harmful chemicals, and bacteria. All of which can affect your dog significantly. The symptoms are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Gas
Bloating
Nausea
Stomach ache
Kidney diseases
Tapeworm
Ringworm
Hives
Disorientation
Lack of appetite
Seizures
Tremors
Seasoned celery: Seasoned celery has garlic, onion, paprika, which are toxic for dogs to consume. The symptoms are:
Diarrhea
Vomiting
GI upset
Weight gain
Obesity
Lethargy
Disorientation
Pancreatitis
Shaking of head
High blood pressure
Muscle tremors
Seizures
Joint pain
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Coma
Death
How Much Celery to Feed Your Dog?
Feed in Moderation, and you win the game! You should not add celery as the primary diet for your dog. Instead, offer your dog celery as a treat, keeping in mind the 10% rule.
How to Feed Celery to Your Dog?
You can serve raw and chopped celery to your dog occasionally. You can also add a small dollop of peanut butter on top of the celery for your dog. Here is a celery-chicken recipe for your dog.
What If My Dog Ate Celery?
Do not panic if your dog has accidentally consumed excessive celery or whole celery. Instead, stay calm and take your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup. The vet will diagnose your dog, and if need permits, he will run a treatment. Follow as your vet says, and keep celery away from your dog’s reach.
Final Thoughts
Celery is suitable for dogs in moderation. However, it is essential to remember the 10% rule before feeding any vegetable to your dog. Celery provides ample nutritional benefits to your dog. However, it is always wise to keep the downsides in mind. Consult with your vet before introducing celery to your dog. Ensure a healthy and happy life for your dog.
