Not all healthy foods are safe for dogs to eat. Is celery one of them?

Dogs fed a complete and balanced diet won’t need to consume as many fruits and vegetables, but are acceptable for consumption if they’re consumed in moderation (meaning limited amounts). However, some foods that can be eaten by humans can be toxic to dogs, which is a very important reason why you should ask your veterinarian questions like: “Can my dog eat this?” “Will my dog have an allergic reaction to that?” “Is celery okay for my dog to eat?”

Celery is one of the vegetables listed that are safe for dogs to consume, on multiple, reputable sites such as akc.org, dogster.com, vetstreet.com and cliniciansbrief.com. Celery is low in calories and is a great alternative treat for a dog to eat. However, too much celery can cause an upset stomach so it’s best to feed them celery in limited amounts once or twice a week. The celery should be washed to remove any dirt and chemicals as well as the strings, which can cause intestinal blockages.

The Health Benefits of Celery

Celery is a nutrient-dense vegetable that doesn’t lose it’s nutrients when cooked like other foods do. Celery is high in vitamins C, B1, B2 and B6, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, folic acid, amino acids, phosphorus and others. The health benefits of celery for your canine companion are numerous:

Celery consists of phthalides which help with heart-related issues and aids to lower blood pressure.
The phthalides also lower cholesterol by increasing bile acid secretion.
The vitamin C in celery aids in maintaining a healthy immune system.
Celery is a natural breath freshener for dogs.
Celery increases urine production which aids in flushing toxins out of your dog’s body.
Celery juice can help dogs with lowering arthritis or joint pain.
Very low in calories

Since a dog’s nutritional needs should be provided by his/her dog food, celery should not be the main part of your dog’s daily diet (especially if your canine pet is overweight). Also, celery can pose a choking hazard, especially for the smaller dog breeds. Cut the celery into very small chunks and mix it with their wet or dry dog food. Slowly introduce it to them so that their digestive system has time to get used to it as a treat. Just because he or she can eat celery doesn’t mean they’ll like it. All dogs won’t like the same treats and as with celery and any other food, it’s a trial-and-error process.

It’s important to note that although celery is safe for dogs, every dog’s body is different. If your dog has an adverse reaction to celery, stop feeding it to him.

To learn more about healthy foods for dogs, visit the Our Fit Pets website. Start with their guide on the 10 most beneficial dietary supplements for dogs.