Can Dogs Eat Celery?
Yes. Celery is safe, low in calories and crunchy. Cut it into small pieces and remove the strings, because they are fibrous and can be a choking hazard.
What it gives your dog
Celery is about 95 % water and has about 15 kcal per 100 g, with vitamin K, potassium, folate and some fiber. It is a light treat for dogs who need to lose weight or who need something to chew on.
Its only risk is mechanical: the stalks have long, tough strings that dogs do not chew well. In large pieces they can lodge in the throat and, in small dogs, cause choking. Cut into small pieces or cooked, there is no problem. In large amounts, like any fibrous vegetable, it can soften stools.
How to serve it
- Washed, without the tough outer stalks and with the strings removed (use a vegetable peeler)
- In 1 cm (1/2 in) pieces or thin slices
- Raw or steamed
- No salt, cream cheese or other spreads
How much can they eat?
Small dog (under 10 kg / 22 lb): 2-4 small pieces (10-20 g); medium dog (10-25 kg / 22-55 lb): 20-40 g (about 1/4 cup chopped); large dog (over 25 kg / 55 lb): 40-60 g (about 1/2 cup chopped).
Risks
- Strings and large pieces: choking
- Too much: soft stools or gas
- Celery with spreads (cream cheese, hummus with garlic)
Frequently asked questions
Can dogs eat celery leaves?
Yes, the tender leaves are safe and have more nutrients than the stalk. Chop them finely and mix a small amount into their food; you can discard the tougher outer leaves. What you need to check is that they are well washed, because celery often has soil trapped between the stalks.
Does celery help with bad breath in dogs?
It may freshen it for a moment, but it does not solve it. Persistent bad breath in dogs is usually caused by tartar and periodontal disease, and sometimes by digestive or other problems. A piece of celery does not clean the teeth below the gum line. If your dog's breath smells bad all the time, what they need is a mouth exam at the clinic.
General information reviewed against veterinary sources. If your dog has eaten something that worries you, call your vet or a 24-hour emergency vet right away, without waiting for symptoms.