Whether you are starting your dog on a natural diet, or want to supplement processed food with natural treats you probably have many questions. Should you only feed them meat? What fruits and vegetables can dogs eat? Perhaps more specifically, can dogs eat celery? If so, is celery good for dogs? The short answer is yes. A canine diet should be based largely on protein, but dogs can eat most fruits and vegetables. And yes, celery is definitely one of them.
However, before you hastily add this ingredient to your list, it is important to understand the properties of celery and the benefits it can provide your dog. Knowing your foods is key to avoiding feeding mistakes that could affect your pet's health. In this article, AnimalWised explains why celery is good for your dog, and we give you all the information you need to serve it up in its best form.
Can dogs eat vegetables?
First things first: yes, dogs can eat vegetables. Though they may not leave your pet drooling hungrily, dogs can eat and digest many vegetables. Dogs are facultative carnivores. This mean that although they are largely meat eaters they are able to process and absorb the nutrients and fibers in fruits and vegetables. A balanced diet for your dog should be based on high quality proteins and fats and include small doses of fruits or vegetables. These provide key vitamins and minerals. Their fibers also aid the dog's digestive system. Apart from celery here are some other vegetables that are safe for dogs:
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Spinach
- Pumpkin
- Cabbage
- Green beans
Keep in mind that some vegetables are toxic or harmful to a dog's health. We recommend that you go through this list of fruits and vegetables that are toxic for dogs before planning your pet's meals.
Can dogs eat celery?
Yes, dogs can eat celery and celery is good for dogs. In fact, it offers almost all the same health benefits to dogs as to human beings. However, like any vegetable or fruit, celery should not be the main or sole ingredient in your dog's diet. Ideally, plant-based foods should make up no more than 10-15% of your dog's daily food intake.
Include vegetables in small portions, varying the ingredients in each of your homemade dog food recipes. This will allow your dog to benefit from the different range of nutrients that each vegetable provides. Another way to add veggies to your pet's diet is to offer them as a reward or snack. Celery sticks cut into bite-sized pieces are a perfect natural treat.
Is celery good for dogs with health issues?
For a healthy dog a small dose of celery has nutritional benefits. But what about dogs with health problems? Since it is a diuretic celery is not good for dogs with kidney disease. However, you can give for dogs with liver disease as it provides key nutrients. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may be good for dogs suffering from arthritis. Always consult your veterinarian about the ideal diet for your dog if your pet is unwell.
Nutritional value of celery
Celery, in the right quantities, has plenty of nutritional benefits for your dog. It contains small amounts of carbohydrates and proteins along with plenty of water. These help give your dog energy. Celery is also the source important dietary fibers and is packed with other nutrients that are good for your pet.
For instance, it provides the following vitamins:
- Thiamine (vitamin B1)
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
- Niacin (vitamin B3)
- Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)
- Pyridoxine (vitamin B6)
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
- Phytomenadione (vitamin K)
Celery also contains minerals such as:
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Zinc
Thanks to this dense nutritional composition, when given in moderation, celery is one of the best vegetables for your dog.
Benefits of celery for dogs
Now that you know that celery is safe for dogs, let us look more closely at the specific benefits it can bring your pet. Among celery's many properties it,
- Eliminates toxins: it stimulates the production of urine, which contributes to eliminating harmful liquids and toxins from your dog's system.
- Regulates the digestive system: thanks to the minerals it contains, celery helps reduce and prevent indigestion. It can also relieve constipation.
- Satisfies the appetite: celery's high fiber content means it satisfies your dog's appetite without causing overeating. It is an ideal snack to give your dog on walks.
- Cleanses the kidneys: moderate consumption helps cleanse your dog's kidneys and can prevent urinary tract infections.
- Is relaxing: thanks to its alkaline minerals, celery can help reduce anxiety and stress in your pet.
- Can prevent cancer: celery contains several vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. These can prevent the development of cancer cells.
Of course, celery alone cannot keep your dog healthy. To allow your dog to reap the benefits of celery, include it as supplement to a balanced and healthy diet, combined with regular exercise.
How to give your dog celery
Dogs can eat both celery stalks and celery leaves. However, before feeding your canine friend, you must first make sure that the plant is fresh. You can determine this by looking at the color of the stalk and leaves. A fresh bunch of celery will have bright green tones. If parts of the stalk or leaves are brown, remove and discard them. Use only the parts that are are fresh.
Wash the celery well and proceed to add it to your dog's food. You may wonder if dogs can eat raw celery. They certainly can. Just cut it into bite-sized chunks and offer a few to your dog as a treat or snack. You can also garnish your dog's bowl of food with a pieces of raw celery. Avoid cutting the pieces too small. They could prove to be choking hazards, especially if you have a small dog.
Dogs can also eat cooked celery. If you are giving your dog a BARF diet or combine processed and homemade food, you can add celery to the other ingredients in your homemade recipes. Remember that homemade dog food does not require salt or other seasonings. Boiled or cooked celery is easier to chew and ideal for older dogs. It will provide less fiber than raw celery, but retains all its other beneficial properties.
How much celery is good for dogs?
Celery is good for dogs, but too much celery is not. Remember that it is a supplement to your dog's diet. The recommended amount for fruits and vegetables is 10-15% of your dog's daily intake. Exact serving sizes will depend on the amount of food your dog eats daily, the other ingredients you include in its diet, the age of your dog, etc. Keep these in mind when deciding how much celery to give your dog.
There are certain risks associated with excess celery consumption. Eating too much of this vegetable could cause your dog diarrhea, vomiting and malaise. We recommend that you consult your veterinarian for more advice on how to add celery and other vegetables to your dog's diet.
Check out this video of foods that dogs can't eat, and ensure your furry friend stays healthy and happy.
If you want to read similar articles to Is Celery Good for Dogs?, we recommend you visit our Homemade diets category.
- Lalovic, K. "10 Foods To Fight Disease In Dogs". Dogs Naturally: https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/10-foods-to-fight-disease-in-dogs/
- Vincent, V. (2016). BARF diet for dogs. NaturZoo.
- Knowles, G. (nd). Healthy cooking for your dog.