Can Dogs Eat Celery? Effects of Celery for Dogs as a Dog Food

Celery is a nutrient-rich vegetable that can make a healthy addition to a dog’s diet. When given in moderation, celery has several health benefits for dogs. The vegetable is low in calories, making it an excellent treat for dogs that need to shed a few pounds. It’s packed with antioxidants like flavonoids vitamins C and E which help in boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation, and fighting free radicals which cause body cell damage.

Celery is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, which enhances digestion and keeps dogs feeling fuller for longer. This is very helpful for weight management in dogs struggling with excessive weight. Celery essentially consists of 95% water and is thus abundant in electrolytes which help keep dogs hydrated, especially during hot summer days. 

This nutritious vegetable can also promote your dog’s dental health. With its crunchy texture, celery can act as a toothbrush for your dog, helping to clean its teeth and keeping its breath fresh. Additionally, celery contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, manganese, folic acid, calcium, and zinc which contribute to the overall health of dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Celery Leaves Safely? 

Celery leaves are highly nutritious as they contain a higher concentration of nutrients than celery stalks. Although some dogs find them flavorful, others may not like their pepper-like taste. 

Can dogs eat celery leaves safely?

Yes, celery leaves are safe for dogs to consume in moderation. However, they are highly prone to pesticides and other chemicals used for fertilization when grown inorganically. Therefore, you should ensure that you thoroughly wash them before feeding or opt for homegrown or organic celery whenever possible.

Are celery leaves healthy for dogs?

Yes, celery leaves are beneficial for dogs as they are packed with minerals like potassium, zinc, magnesium, and folic, which can contribute greatly to a dog’s health. They are also a rich source of vitamins as well as antioxidants.

Can celery leaves affect a dog’s mood?

Yes, feeding celery leaves to a dog can help improve its mood. This is because they contain potassium. and antioxidants, which nourish the nervous system promoting good feelings. It also has 3-n-butylphthalide, which helps lower the concentration of stress hormones in the blood and improve mood.

Can Dogs Eat Celery Sticks Safely? 

Whether raw or cooked, celery sticks are great low-calorie treats for dogs. Uncooked celery sticks can help freshen a dog’s breath. On the other hand, Cooked celery sticks can provide several health benefits due to their nutrients.

Can dogs eat celery sticks safely?

Yes, dogs can eat celery sticks in moderation without any adverse effects on their health. However, celery sticks are a choking hazard due to their size, especially to smaller dogs. Thus, you should cut them into small pieces before feeding them to avoid this risk.

Why are celery sticks healthy for dogs?

Besides helping to maintain a fresh breath and keep dogs’ teeth clean, celery sticks are a good source of dietary fiber that aids digestion. They are also highly hydrating and rich in minerals and vitamins that help promote health.

Can old and young dogs eat celery sticks?

Yes, both old and young dogs can benefit from the various nutrients in celery sticks. The dietary fiber in celery sticks can help promote digestion in old dogs. However, these should be cut into small pieces to avoid posing a choking risk to the dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Cooked Celery Safely? 

Cooking celery makes it soft and easier for small and old dogs to eat. However, cooking vegetables like celery destroys most of their nutritional value, making them less beneficial.

Can dogs eat cooked celery safely?

Absolutely! Dogs can eat cooked celery without any negative effects on their health. However, since cooked celery has low nutritional value, dogs may not reap maximum health benefits. The only advantage of cooking celery is making it softer and easy to eat.

Is cooked celery healthy for dogs?

Although cooked celery is perfectly safe for dogs to consume, it’s low in nutritional value and thus less beneficial healthwise. However, dogs can still benefit from the remaining nutrients albeit in small amounts.

How to cook celery for dogs 

Before cooking celery, ensure you thoroughly wash and cut it into small pieces. Celery for dogs should be cooked plain without adding extra salt or butter. The best way to cook celery for dogs is by steaming it lightly. 

Can Dogs Eat Raw Celery Safely? 

Raw celery is the best for dogs as it’s full of nutrients that can benefit them. Giving dogs raw celery as a snack can help freshen their breath and improve their dental health. It’s also packed with fiber which is great for digestion.

Can dogs eat raw celery safely?

Yes, dogs can consume limited amounts of raw celery without any problems. However, raw celery is firm and poses a choking risk to dogs. Ensure you thoroughly wash and cut these into small pieces before feeding them to your dog.

Is raw celery healthy for dogs?

Yes, raw celery is not only crunchy but also healthy. The raw version of this vegetable is rich in various nutrients including vitamins A, C, K, as well as minerals such as potassium, magnesium, folic, and zinc. It’s also high in antioxidants and fiber which can all give a healthy boost to dogs.

Can Chihuahua dog puppies eat raw celery?

Yes, raw celery is safe for all puppies to eat. However,  chihuahuas are small dogs and may choke easily on celery. You should therefore wash and chop it into small pieces before feeding it to these dogs.

Can Dogs Eat Boiled Celery? 

Although boiling celery isn’t necessary, it can help make it softer and easy to eat thus minimizing the risk of choking especially in small and elderly dogs. Boiling however destroys most of its nutrients and reduces its water content making it less beneficial healthwise.

Can dogs eat boiled celery safely?

Yes, Boiled celery is not only safe but also easy for dogs to eat. However, you should not add any salt, butter, or other seasonings to your boiled celery before feeding it to your dog. Also, ensure that it’s fully cool before feeding.

Is boiled celery healthy for dogs?

Unfortunately, boiled celery contains lesser nutrients compared to the raw version as boiling destroys the majority of these nutrients. However, it can still offer limited health benefits.

How much celery can a dog eat?

Celery should be given in moderation and should never make more than 10% of a dog’s total daily calorie. However, the specific amount of celery suitable for your dog depends on its weight. The table below shows the ideal amounts of celery that a dog can take daily;

Can dogs with diarrhea and other diseases eat boiled celery?

Yes, dogs with diarrhea and other diseases can eat boiled celery to get some relief. The fiber content in boiled celery can help improve digestion and regularize bowel movement easing diarrhea in dogs. Boiled celery also has a few other nutrients that can be helpful to dogs with other diseases.

What Else Can Dogs Eat Together with Celery?

1. Rice: Plainly-cooked white or brown rice without any salt, seasonings, butter, or other additives is safe for dogs to consume. This grain cereal is a rich source of easily digestible carbohydrates necessary for providing energy to dogs. It’s low in sodium and fats but rich in antioxidants which help protect against diseases and dysfunction in aging dogs. Rice also contains fiber that supports regular bowel movements and improves digestion. In fact, rice is often recommended as part of a bland diet to ease gastrointestinal issues and diarrhea in dogs. Dogs can eat rice safely.

However, rice is high in carbohydrates and thus high in calories and glycemic index. It should thus be fed in moderation as too much can lead to unhealthy weight gain and other health issues. Being a treat, the rice should never make more than 10% of the total daily calories for dogs.

2. Broccoli: Both raw and cooked broccoli is safe for dogs to consume provided no oils, seasonings, or other additives are included. This low-calorie vegetable is abundant in fiber which is essential for keeping the digestive systems of dogs moving along. It’s also rich in various important vitamins such as vitamin C, and K which helps boost the immunity of dogs and improve bone density and strength. Broccoli also has several essential minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, chromium, and sodium which work together to promote strong immune and nervous systems.

However, you should exercise caution while feeding broccoli stems and florets to your dog. The florets contain some amount of a poisonous substance called isothiocyanates. When consumed in large amounts, this substance can cause bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and gas as well as other serious health complications in dogs. The stalks on the other hand pose a choking risk to dogs, especially smaller ones. These should be thus chopped into small pieces before feeding.

3. Cheese: Cheese when given in very small amounts occasionally as a treat is safe for dogs. This tasty treat is rich in proteins and nutrients such as minerals like potassium, zinc, and phosphorus plus vitamins A, B12, and K which can give a health boost to dogs. Cheese also provides an excellent way of concealing medicines for dogs with difficulties taking them. It’s also a handy training treat.

However, cheese is made from dairy and most dogs are unable to digest and thus intolerant to lactose present in cheese. It’s also high in fats which can lead to pancreatitis and unhealthy weight gain in dogs.

While feeding cheese, go for the low-fat and low-lactose types such as mozzarella, cottage cheese, and soft goat cheese. Cottage cheese is the best choice as low in fats, sodium, and lactose and thus presents a low likelihood of causing a gastrointestinal upset in dogs.

4. Cucumbers: These fruits are nutritious and cucumbers are healthy treats for dogs as they are high in water, low in calories, and packed with vitamins C, K, and B-complex vitamins as well as a host of minerals including potassium, copper, manganese, and calcium. Cucumbers are also crunchy in texture with good amounts of fiber which aids digestion and offers protection against gastrointestinal sluggishness.

With 96% of cucumber consisting of water, these fruits provide an excellent way of keeping your dog hydrated. Its low-calorie count also makes it ideal as part of a weight-loss regimen. What’s more, cucumbers contain phytonutrients and phytochemicals that help freshen a dog’s breath and fight the odor-causing bacteria in the mouth thus enhancing dental health.

However, cucumbers should be fed in moderation as they are high in water and fiber content which can cause gastrointestinal issues such as gas or diarrhea if taken in excessive amounts. Commercial cucumbers also contain wax and should therefore be thoroughly washed before feeding to dogs.

5. Garlic: Raw, fresh garlic in very small amounts is safe for dogs to consume. The type and amount of garlic given determine its toxicity. The breed and size of the dog is also an important consideration as different dogs have different dispositions and react differently to onions.

In the right dosage, garlic can help to;

• Boost immunity, 
• lower cholesterol 
• Minimize inflammation 
• Lower the blood pressure 
• Keep away fleas and ticks from dogs.

However, garlic is a member of the allium family, which contains a toxic substance called thiosulfate. This substance causes oxidative damage to the red blood cells consequently leading to hemolytic anemia in dogs.

The symptoms of garlic toxicity include 

• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting 
• Gastrointestinal upset
• Depression
• Dehydration.

While fresh raw garlic and garlic supplement is safe for dogs in minimal amounts, concentrated versions of it like garlic oil and garlic powder are more toxic and should thus be avoided.

6. Onions: Onions, just like garlic, are part of the allium family which are considered toxic for dogs. Giving onions to dogs whether cooked, raw, powdered, or fried is not recommended for feeding to dogs.

This is because onions contain N-propyl disulfide which attaches to the oxygen molecules in a dog’s blood causing oxidative damage and consequently hemolytic anemia.

This is a serious condition that can be fatal if not well handled. Although the symptoms of onion poisoning vary from dog to dog, they generally include

• Fainting
• Decreased appetite
• Reddish urine
• Pale gums
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Rapid heart rate

Feeding very small amounts of onions to dogs may not harm them. However, it’s best to avoid onions as the harms outweigh their benefits. You should see a vet immediately if your dog has consumed onions. 

What are the best Celery Dog Food Recipes? 

The following are some easy to make recipes crafted with celery:

Celery smoothie

• Thoroughly wash and chop celery in small pieces and mix with other healthy fruits such as bananas or cherries
• Put in a blender and add plain unsweetened yogurt 
• Blend into a smoothie, cool in the refrigerator, and serve

Celery and Peanut butter Popsicles

• Mix celery, yogurt, and peanut butter and blend in a blender
• Put the mixture in molds and place in the freezer for about 3-4 hours
• Once frozen, remove the treats from the molds
• Serve and store the rest in airtight containers or freezer bags

Celery and cucumber salad

You can also treat your dog to healthy celery salad 

• Wash celery and cucumber thoroughly
• Chop into small pieces
• Put in bowl 
• Serve your dog raw.

What are the best dog foods with Celery? 

Celery is undoubtedly nutritious and beneficial when given in moderation to dogs. It can help boost immunity, reduce inflammation, aid digestion and weight management, improve dental health, and keep dogs hydrated. Given the numerous health benefits of celery, several dog food brands have included this crunchy vegetable in some recipes. 

If your dog likes the flavor and taste of celery, you can try these brands that have celery in their formulations;

• Blackwood Dry Dog Food 
• Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Grain-free and Freeze-Dried Food
• Wellness Stew Wet Canned Dog Food