Can Dogs Eat Celery?

Yes, dogs can have celery—including raw, frozen, and cooked.  

You can also treat your pup to dog treats that feature celery as an ingredient. Here are a couple favorites: 

Celery is packed with beneficial nutrients that can contribute positively to your dog’s overall health. 

Here are some potential benefits of incorporating celery into your dog’s diet: 

• It’s a low-calorie snack. Celery is extremely low in calories, making it a great weight-friendly treat for dogs, especially those with obesity. This means you can offer it to your pup in moderation without hindering their weight loss goals. 
• It’s rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Celery is rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, C, and K. It also contains potassium, folate, and manganese. These nutrients support your dog’s immune system, contribute to healthy skin and coat, and aid in their overall well-being. 
• It’s high in fiber. Celery has a high fiber content, which can contribute to a healthy digestive system and help regulate bowel movements. This can be especially beneficial for dogs with constipation issues. 
• It’s hydrating. Because celery has a high water content, it can help keep your dog hydrated, especially during the hot summer months. 
• It supports oral health. The crunchy texture of celery can help clean your dog’s teeth and contribute to better oral health (and improved dog breath!). 

While celery is generally safe for dogs to eat, as with any human food, there are some potential risks to consider: 

• Digestive upset: If your dog eats too much celery, especially if it’s a new food, they might experience an upset stomach. This could manifest as loose stools or even vomiting. It’s best to introduce celery slowly into their diet and in small amounts to reduce the risk of digestive upset. 
• Choking hazard: Eating celery can pose a choking hazard, especially if given to your dog in large pieces. This risk increases for small dogs. Never give your dog whole celery stalks. Always cut the celery into bite-size pieces appropriate for your dog’s size to reduce this risk. 
• Pesticide risk: Dogs can digest celery leaves, which contain the most calcium, potassium, and vitamin C in the plant. However, the leaves are also the part of the plant with the most pesticides. Unless you buy organic celery, removing and disposing of the leaves before feeding the celery to your dog is recommended. 

A general rule of thumb when giving your dog treats or human food, including celery, is the 10 percent rule: No more than 10 percent of your dog’s daily calories should come from these items. The other 90 percent should come from well-balanced dog food. 

Celery is very low in calories, with each medium-size stalk containing about 6 calories. So, technically you could feed your dog quite a bit of celery, but it’s best to stick to the following guidelines: 

There are several ways you can incorporate celery into your dog’s diet. Here are some ideas:  

1. Serve raw as a healthy snack. Cut celery into bite-size pieces and offer them to your dog as-is for a crunchy snack. 
2. Mix with their regular food. Chop or puree raw or cooked celery and mix it in with your dog’s regular food. This can add flavor and nutritional value to their meal. 
3. Make an “ants on a log” frozen treat. Tasty and nutritious, this frozen treat stores well, so they’ll be ready to go whenever you want to give your pup a little something special. Simply spread a small amount of xylitol-free peanut butter onto washed, trimmed celery; top with blueberries or your pup’s kibble; freeze and serve! Just make sure you avoid raisins, which are extremely toxic to dogs.  

4. Stuff into treat dispenser toys, like the KONG Classic Dog Toy. Mix with other dog-friendly ingredients, like xylitol-free peanut butter or mashed sweet potato. 

5. Add to homemade dog treats. For example, sprinkle in some bite-size pieces of celery to these Pumpkin Pie Dog Treats. 

6. Make celery juice or a smoothie. For celery juice, simply run washed celery through a juicer and serve 1/4–1 cup of juice to your dog (depending on their size). For a dog-friendly smoothie, blend celery with other dog-safe fruits and vegetables, like blueberries and pumpkin, then serve the smoothie in small amounts as a special treat. 

If you notice the following signs of an upset stomach, please call your vet immediately: 

• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting 
• Decreased appetite 
• Discomfort 
• Excessively licking their lips 

Can dogs eat raw celery? 

Yes, dogs can eat raw celery. Just be sure to thoroughly wash it first.  

Can dogs eat cooked celery? 

Yes, dogs can also eat celery cooked, just avoid adding any salt or other seasoning that could be unsafe for your pup. 

Can dogs eat celery sticks? 

Yes, dogs can eat celery sticks, but always cut them into small, bite-size pieces to avoid choking—especially for small breeds. 

Can dogs eat celery leaves? 

Dogs can eat celery leaves in moderation, but because they may contain more pesticide residue, it’s best to remove them unless you’re using organic celery.