For humans, celeries are great low-calorie and healthy snacks. Nevertheless, you’re unsure if these are healthy and safe for your dogs. You are probably wondering, Can dogs eat celery sticks as you do? Can dogs eat celery raw like the way you want it?
Dogs can safely and occasionally eat celery just like broccoli. This vegetable has a lot of vital minerals such as vitamin A to help maintain their skin health and coat shiny.
You need to keep in mind that celeries have a lot of fiber, so it can be detrimental to your dog’s digestive tract if given too much. Therefore, you shouldn’t include these in your dog’s daily meals and give it as a special snack instead.
Continue reading to learn more about the effects of celery on your dog, the health benefits, and the precautions you need to take when giving this veggie.
How Nutritious Are Celeries?
This aromatic plant has numerous important nutrients. Aside from vitamin A, it also has vitamins C and K. Spinach also has the same nutritional content. Celeries are filled with antioxidants and a good source of fiber and potassium.
For a vegetable, celeries have a high amount of sodium but also high water content. One celery stalk has 50 mg of sodium. This is high when compared to other vegetables. In general, they are still considered to have low salt content.
Here is a more in-depth look of the nutritional benefits your dog can get from consuming celeries:
- Vitamin A – Besides maintaining your dog’s coat and skin, it can also help the muscles and nerves to function properly. This can be found in green beans as well.
- Vitamin K – This vitamin is important for good blood clotting.
- Vitamin C – Dogs can naturally make vitamin C, so it’s not needed to be included in a healthy dog’s diet. Also, some studies have proven that adding little vitamin C to a stressed or sick dog can be helpful.
- Fiber – Just like humans, eating quality fiber from vegetables and fruits is beneficial for dogs. If your dog is overweight, it can help with weight reduction and proper digestion.
Although these vitamins are helpful to keep your dog healthy, you can’t assume that giving celeries to your fur baby on a daily basis is the best. It’s a common misconception that providing our dogs more vitamins equate to making them healthier. Nevertheless, it’s a bit more complicated than that.
The saying, “Too much of everything is bad” holds true for this, so remember to give just enough amounts of all the important nutrients your dog needs in its daily meal. Therefore, it’s not beneficial to go overboard with vitamins.
Can dogs eat cooked celery?
Yes, they can but it’s more nutritious when given raw. Just keep in mind that giving it too much can cause more harm than good to your pet. For instance, your dog can have an upset stomach if you give this fibrous food every day since your dog’s stomach is made for meat digestion.
Can Dogs Eat Celery Leaves?
Yes, they can eat celery leaves because these have high fiber and low carbohydrate content. If dogs can eat celery leaves, can dogs eat celery stalks? They can as well. Iodine, vitamin E, and calcium can also contribute to your dog’s overall health.
How Safe Are Celeries for Dogs?
You understand the nutritional value of celeries to dogs. Humans can eat the roots, but can dogs eat celery root? The answer to this question is simple. Dogs can eat different parts of celeries, as long as they are chopped into small bite-size pieces.
You need to prepare the celeries this way since choking is a serious hazard, especially if you have a small dog. Celery is fibrous and hard, so your dog may choke when given in big chunks.
In research published by veterinarians from the University of Georgia, they mentioned that celeries are a good alternative snack for dogs who suffer obesity. It’s safe to say that they’re not toxic, but they should not be given all the time.
What Can Happen If I Give Many Celeries to My Dog?
You should know by now that the dog gets a balanced meal from the dog food you give. Therefore, if you give supplements too much, like celeries, it may result in a chemical imbalance in your dog’s body, though they are generally healthy.
Digestive problems may occur due to too much fiber. It may damage your dog’s bladder and kidneys when there’s too much intake of vitamin C. Your dog may pee more, or worse, they may have diarrhea because of the celeries’ high water content.
To put it simply, give everything in moderation.
What Things Do I Have to Be Aware of When Giving Celeries to My Dogs?
First, you need to make sure that the food you give to your dog is good and has all the essential minerals it needs. You should not expect that what is good for your own diet applies the same with your dog’s diet since this can cause serious health issues.
Unlike carnivorous dogs, humans are omnivores, so we are made to consume meat and vegetables. This doesn’t mean that they can’t eat vegetables like celeries because their bodies can handle these. You have to remember that their digestive systems are far different from humans.
Conclusion
There you have it. Generally, dogs can eat every part of the celery from its roots, stalk, and up to its leaves. However, it should only be given in moderation as too much can be detrimental to your pets.