The Dangers of Dogs Eating Celery

Should your dog avoid veggies? Not nece-celery.

Can dogs eat celery? While this crunchy vegetable doesn't seem like it's dog-healthy (or dog-approved), you might be surprised! Celery has many health benefits for your pup and can even help freshen their breath when added to their daily diet! However, you should be careful when feeding this healthy snack to your pup to avoid a potential choking hazard for your pooch.

Is celery good for dogs?

Fruits and veggies are not digested as quickly by dogs as humans, so an upset stomach is possible, particularly with large amounts. Large celery pieces may also be a choking hazard, particularly for small dogs, and should be cut into small pieces. Celery leaves can also contain high amounts of dangerous pesticides in large quantities, posing a danger to both humans and their furry friends. While celery's high water content can be a benefit, it can also cause significant urination or even diarrhea if ingested in large quantities. While large amounts are off the menu, dog owners can still give celery in limited quantities as a reward rather than relying on it as a daily part of their dog's diet.

Benefits Of Celery For Dogs

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Raw celery is high in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that give health benefits to your dog. Celery is high in vitamin K, as well as calcium, which helps to maintain solid, healthy bones. This makes it one of the more ideal human foods for elderly dogs or those that are exceptionally active. Obesity is a rampant problem for many house pets. Excessive amounts of kibble can make that problem worse, but it's often hard to find a great healthy snack for a dog who wants to eat all the time. Because of its low-calorie quality, celery joins green beans in the recommendation as a weight-loss low-calorie treat for overweight dogs. Celery is low in fat and cholesterol and high in fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, folate, and manganese. It also has almost as much potassium as bananas. This crunchy veggie can even help freshen your dog's breath.

How To Safely Feed Your Dog Celery

Before feeding celery to your dog, make sure you are cutting it into small pieces to prevent choking. You can mix celery into your pooch's dog food if your dog simply needs the nutritional value that celery provides (especially if they need additional vitamin C or fiber for their digestive system). Digestive tract issues aside, celery still makes a great dog treat. If your dog loves food a little too much, or if you're doing intense dog training that needs positive reinforcement of rewards, you might want to try turning a stalk of celery into some crunchy healthy treats. You can combine pieces of celery with peanut butter for a nutritious treat, or freeze pieces to give them on a hot day. Remember that only 10% of your dog's diet should come from treats to maintain a balanced diet. So, can dogs eat celery? Like anything, feed your dog this healthy treat in moderation.

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READ MORE: My Dog Ate a Peach. Will They Be O.K.?