Can Dogs Eat Celery? Is It Also Healthy For Dogs?

A vegetable brimming with antioxidants and vitamins, and minerals, we can’t help but include celery in our diet. But, what about dogs? Can dogs eat celery? Is celery safe for dogs?

Despite your dog’s ability to snack on everything and anything they could get their paws on, as responsible dog owners, you know pretty well that feeding your dog “people” food is not recommended.

The fact is some of the vegetables and fruits which we consider hearty are harmful to them. This makes us wonder if the oh-so wholesome celery is among the many vegetables our dogs shouldn’t eat.

Now, that’s where Dog Food Guide comes in handy. As your go-to dog food reviews website, we are here to give you everything you need to know about celery and its effects on your dog (good and bad).

What’s more, we made sure to provide a couple of pet parent- and fido-approved dog treat recipes that your canine companion would surely want to try. So, sit back and keep on scrolling.

Can Dogs Eat Celery?

A crunchy vegetable with a bold flavor and distinct scent plus countless health benefits, it just makes sense to give this to your dog, right? Good thing the answer here is a big YES. 

Celery is, in fact, one of the “better” human foods that you can feed your dog. Since celery is safe for dogs, instead of buying treats or products that contain additives, you might want to buy a few extra pieces of celery the next time you visit your local grocery store. 

However, just like any type of food (whether human or dog food), you can have too much of a good thing. Moderation is key if you don’t want to turn a pleasant experience into something unpleasant.

The same goes when feeding your dog celery or any kind of vegetables, fruits, and other treats, for that matter.

Benefits Of Feeding Celery To Your Dog

Now that you know the answer to your question, “Can dogs eat celery?” you’re probably wondering if that’s all there is to it.

Yes, it’s safe for dogs, but is celery good for dogs? Celery has many vitamins and minerals but do dogs get all the good stuff we get from it?

As long as you give your dog just the right amount, your furry pal will reap the rewards we get from eating this earthy, herbaceous plant.

Here’s a rundown of some of the yummy benefits your dog can gain if you let your dogs eat celery:

Maintains Bone Health

Celery contains a mineral called manganese and a fat-soluble vitamin called Vitamin A. Both play a vital role in maintaining healthy bones.

Manganese is also needed in energy production and protein metabolism, while Vitamin A is required for the proper functioning of the skin, nerves, and muscle.

Keeps Dogs Hydrated

Celery is made up of around 95% water. This makes celery one of the vegetables with the most water content. Apart from being loaded with water, it is also packed with potassium, a type of electrolyte that can help quench their thirst.

So, if you need to keep your dogs hydrated, especially in the summertime, you might want to feed your dog celery for a snack.

Promotes Gut Health

A quarter of a celery stick (around 4 grams) contains approximately 0.1 g of fiber. Feeding your dogs celery can help improve their digestive system and encourage regular bowel movement.

Excellent Source Of Antioxidants

You all know that celery contains many vitamins and minerals. But what you probably don’t know is that one stalk of celery holds at least 12 kinds of antioxidant nutrients.

These include Vitamin C and Vitamin E (obtained mainly from the celery leaves). Both of which help reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and counter the damaging effects of free radicals.

Keeps Dog’s Blood Healthy

Here’s another good reason to let your dog eat celery or add celery to your dog’s diet. Celery includes Vitamin K, Manganese, and Vitamin B6.

Vitamin K activates the dog’s blood clotting ability, while Manganese helps maintain their blood sugar levels. Vitamin B6, on the other hand, is necessary to manufacture red blood cells. 

Supports Weight Loss

If your dog is overweight, then give them a piece of celery. Low in cholesterol and fat and high in fiber, giving this as a treat will keep them feeling full for longer.

Must-Know Downsides of Celery To Dogs

Celery is indeed good for dogs, given all its many health benefits. Perhaps, you already want your dogs to eat celery. But before giving this as a treat or including this in their diet, dog owners ought to know all its possible complications.

• Choking Hazard. Small dogs are especially at risk of choking if large pieces of this fibrous plant are given to them raw. To avoid this, simply cut this up into tiny, easy-to-chew pieces, and you’re good to go.

• Gastrointestinal Upset. Since it is high in fiber, giving this in large amounts can upset their tummies and cause gas, vomiting, and diarrhea. Enter portion control. 

Also, if you’re giving this to your dog for the first time, it’s better to give just a tiny amount and then observe. Keep an eye on any adverse reactions. If your dog suddenly feels gassy, then your dog might be better of eating something else.

Keep in mind, as well, that this is considered a treat. And, as a general rule, treats should not be regarded as a meal replacement and should not exceed 10% of your dog’s diet. 90% of which should include dog foods that are complete and balanced. If you’re not sure how much is too much, talk to your vet. Their opinion matters the most.

• Increases Blood Pressure. If you’re planning to give your dog some celery juice, be aware of its high salt content. You’ll find 215 mg of sodium in a cup of celery juice. Too much of this can increase your dog’s BP and increase their chances of getting heart disease.

• More Pee Breaks. Not that this is something terrible, but it’s something you should expect if you give your pup some celery. Celery is a diuretic, and letting them munch on these will make their kidneys produce more urine than usual. 

Healthy Celery Recipes For Your Pup

If you want to reward them for their good behavior, instead of giving them cookies or other store-bought snack products, maybe you can offer them something hearty like a stick of celery.  

You can also serve celery with xylitol-free peanut butter to make it more exciting. If you have some spare time, a bone broth soup with baby carrots, apple cider vinegar, celery stalks, olive oil, and parsley would be perfect.

Check out below for more heart-healthy recipes.

Celery and Peanut Butter Pupsicles

Lori Taylor

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• Blender

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups Celery about 4 stalks, chopped
• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt plain, nonfat
• 1 tbsp Peanut butter

Instructions

 

• Using an immersion blender or traditional blender, blend together the celery, yogurt, and peanut butter.
• Pour mixture into molds and place in the freezer for 3-4 hours, or until frozen solid.
• Once the treats are frozen solid, remove from the molds and serve.
• Store in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag.

Slow Cooker Beef and Pork Bone Broth for Dogs

Kiki Kane

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 5 hrs

Total Time 9 hrs 35 mins

Servings 2 Quartz

Equipment

• Large roasting pan
• Instant pot, crock pot, or stock pot

Ingredients

  

• 3 tbsp Olive oil
• 2 lbs Beef marrow bones
• 4 Raw pig’s feet (not smoked)
• 8  Celery stalks
• 4 Carrots or 2 cups baby carrots
• 1 cup Roughly chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup Raw apple cider vinegar (some recipes suggest lemon juice but we do not recommend giving citrus to dogs)

Instructions

 

• Place a rack in the middle of your oven.
• Preheat oven to a hot-n-spicy 450º.  
• Grease a large roasting pan with the olive oil and place your bone in the center, pig’s feet around the edges, and fill with the celery and carrots in the empty spaces.
• Bake the bones for an hour, flipping the bones and feet halfway through. If things are getting too brown too fast, turn down the oven or just skip straight to loading the Instant Pot.
• Put the roughly chopped parsley in the bottom of the Instant Pot or Crock Pot. Add the bones next, placing the marrow bones in the center and pushing the pig’s feet around. Top off with as much of the veggies as will fit, filling in some of the cracks. Add the apple cider vinegar, then add cold water, leaving an inch of space under the max fill line.
• Close and seal, cooking in manual mode for the max time of 240 minutes (4 hours). If your pressure cooker only goes to 120, just run it twice. 
• If you’re using a slow cooker, set it on low for 24-48 hours to get the maximum benefits of the recipe.
• If you’re using a stock pot on the stove, get the broth up to a simmer, stirring occasionally, then cover and simmer on low 24-48 hours, checking the pot regularly to make sure the temperature is maintained and nothing is burning or sticking.
• Use a natural release, then turn off the heat. When the pot is cool enough to touch, you can use a small strainer to remove the larger piece from the broth. Then strain the broth through a fine mesh colander to catch any loose bone bits.
• Chill the broth in the fridge for a few hours or overnight until it (hopefully) sets into a gel.
• Scrape the fat off the top of the gelatinized broth, pausing to appreciate how wiggly and jiggly it is.
• Serve it up! You can freeze the broth, heat it up a little and pour 1/4-1/2 cup over your dog’s kibble at mealtimes, or serve alone as a nutritious snack.

St. Patty's Frozen DIY Dog Treats

Ali Smith

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 mins

Freezing Time 3 hrs

Equipment

• Blender

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups Baby spinach
• 1 cup Water
• 2 cups Pear
• 1 cup Celery
• 1 tsp Freshly chopped ginger

Instructions

 

• Clean and chop all your fruit and veggies
• Add fruit and veggies and water to the blender
• Blend for about 1 minute until smooth
• Pour the mixture into a fun mold or ice cube tray
• Freeze for at last 3 hours until firm
• Serve & let the doggo enjoy!