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Looking for a healthy snack option for your dog? While you might be tempted to toss them whatever food you’re holding at the moment, there are some foods that are better than others, and celery is a great option, although it needs to be washed and chopped into small pieces and only offered in moderation. Offering nutritional benefits and very few calories, celery is a cool, crunchy treat to offer your dog if you need a low-calorie training treat or just want to give your dog something to munch on during a hot summer day.
Why Can Dogs Eat Celery?
Before we get into this subject further, note that dogs being fed a complete and balanced diet don’t really need additional fruits and veggies in their diet, but we understand how tempting it is to feed them a treat here and there. Since dogs can process both animal and plant foods well, they can eat various fresh fruits and vegetables (and reap the benefits). Luckily, celery has some benefits for our dogs, all while remaining low in calories.
Even though celery is generally safe, all dogs have individual health and dietary needs so it’s always best to check with your veterinarian that it’s a suitable snack for your pooch.
Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Celery
A Great Weight Loss Treat
Celery is deemed a “low-everything” treat, as it’s low-calorie, low-fat, and low-sodium. Dogs struggling with obesity can benefit greatly from this refreshing snack. But, of course, only offer it in moderation.
Hydration
Celery is made up of around 95% water so it can be a great, hydrating snack in hot weather.
Great for Digestion
If your dog needs help staying regular, celery could help. Celery is high in fiber which can help promote healthy digestion.
Nutrient content
Your dog should get all of their nutrients through their dog food, but a little boost with healthy snacks doesn’t hurt, especially with fresh vegetables.
- Vitamins A, C, K
- Folate
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Iron
- Zinc
A Natural Breath Freshener and Tooth Cleanser
Celery is known for being a crisp, potent vegetable. The distinctive flavor can actually help freshen the breath and scrub some plaque off of teeth. We all know how gross dog breath is, so it can’t hurt to offer some celery from time to time!
How Do Dogs React to Celery?
Most dogs love celery, except for a few. Celery’s potent flavor can cause some dogs to snub their noses at it. Other dogs will eat as you’re willing to offer without a care in the world, and that’s exactly what we don’t want.
Celery is a wonderful, healthy treat, but too much will give your dog an upset tummy and potentially cause vomiting and diarrhea. Only offer celery occasionally to avoid any adverse effects.
How Much Celery Can I Offer to My Dog?
Remember that celery is a treat, not a meal replacement. Usually, treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake. So, if your dog eats 900 calories each day, up to 90 of those calories can come from treats. But remember that celery is a low-calorie treat. Ninety calories worth of celery is a lot of celery. Each stalk of celery only contains 5-10 calories so that’s about two bunches worth, and no dog needs that much.
Instead, offer a few bite-sized pieces about ½-inch wide for large dogs and ¼-inch wide for small dogs. Small dogs only need about two pieces, whereas large dogs can eat a handful of pieces.
Preparing Celery for Your Dog
You can serve celery raw or cooked. Celery’s stringy skin can be a choking hazard for dogs, especially small breeds, so serving it cooked and chopped can help make it easier to chew and digest. If you do cook it, ensure it is cooked plain with no onions, garlic, or added salt. Add some pet-safe, xylitol-free peanut butter on top, and you’ll make your dog’s day the best day ever!
Conclusion
Celery is an excellent treat to offer your dog in moderation as long as you prepare it properly. Otherwise, this crunchy vegetable can turn into a choking hazard. So, the next time you chop up some celery, set some aside for your dog. They just might be in the mood for a crunchy snack!
Featured Image Credit: inewsfoto, Shutterstock
