Can dogs or cats eat celery?
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Can dogs eat celery?
Yes, dogs can eat celery as part of a balanced diet or as an occasional treat. Not all dogs will enjoy the crunchy texture of celery, as it can feel a little tough due to its high fibre content.
Can dogs eat raw celery?
Raw celery is safe for dogs to enjoy if it's cut into small pieces. Larger pieces can be a choking hazard, so chop finely or into small strips for your dog to still enjoy the crunchy sensation when eating.
Can dogs eat celery leaves?
We don't recommend feeding celery leaves to your dog. Whilst not toxic in nature, they are bitter in taste and have no real health benefits for your dog. It's best to stick to feeding them chopped-up celery stalks instead of the leaves.
If your dog accidentally eats some celery leaves, you may notice a slight tummy upset. This is usually mild and takes around 12-24 hours to go away without needing medical assistance.
Can dogs eat celery seeds?
There's no harm in feeding celery seeds as part of a balanced diet. Your dog may not particularly enjoy the taste if fed as a reward, but they can be added to meals for extra texture and as a source of natural fibre.
How to prepare celery for dogs
Celery is tough due to its high fibre content. This means it can get stuck in the oesophagus, stomach, or gastrointestinal tract and create problems for your dog. It’s really important to cut the celery into small pieces about one centimetre in size to avoid an obstruction or choking hazard.
Celery can be fed raw, steamed, or boiled. Feed the celery plain, without any sauces or condiments as some of these ingredients may be toxic to dogs.
What are the health benefits of celery for dogs?
Celery is a low-calorie treat. This makes it perfect for dogs on a restricted diet or weight loss plan. In addition, its high fibre content makes it an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a healthy digestive tract, as it helps feed the good bacteria in the gut and reduces the risks of constipation.
Celery is also a natural source of Vitamins A, C, and K, all of which form a key part of a balanced, healthy diet.
What are the signs of a celery allergy in dogs?
The chances of a celery allergy are very low. Your dog may experience digestive upset, like diarrhoea or vomiting, if they eat too much celery. But they will usually recover well from this.
True anaphylactic reactions to celery would include signs such as collapse, swelling of the head and neck, difficulty breathing, and bloody diarrhoea. These symptoms are very serious and need urgent veterinary attention.
So, in summary, celery is a safe and nutritious vegetable that dogs can enjoy in small amounts. Make sure that no more than 10% of your dog’s diet is made up of treats or snacks, including celery.
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Can cats eat celery?
Yes, cats can eat celery safely if chopped into small pieces. Cats are known to be picky in their food choices, so they may not wish to eat the celery, but you can offer a small piece to see if they are interested in trying it.
Can cats eat raw celery?
It’s safe for cats to eat celery raw or cooked in small bite-sized pieces. It's a great low-calorie vegetable suitable for all stages of a cat's life, from kitten to senior years. Overweight cats will benefit from the low calories it contains.
Can cats eat celery leaves?
Cats will likely not enjoy eating the celery leaves. Instead, focus on trying to get your cat to eat the stalk as this has more nutritional benefits, including high fibre and vitamins.
Can cats eat celery seeds?
Celery seeds can be added to wet food easily to add extra fibre and nutrients to your cat's diet. Feed no more than one teaspoon of celery seeds per week, as too much fibre can lead to constipation or difficulty toileting.
How to prepare celery for cats
Cats can eat celery cooked (boiled, steamed or roasted) or raw. The essential part of preparing celery is to cut it into small portions, so your cat avoids any choking risks on larger pieces. When feeding celery, feed it plain, not mixed with any other ingredients. Sauces or dips often contain onion or garlic, for example, which cats cannot eat safely.
What are the health benefits of celery for cats?
Health benefits of celery include vitamins such as Vitamins A, C, and K. The best health benefit of celery lies in its low-calorie, low-fat, and high-fibre content. This creates an excellent, healthy vegetable choice for cats on a restricted diet or weight loss plan.
What are the signs of a celery allergy in cats?
A celery allergy is incredibly rare, with no reports in current literature. It is possible, however, so this is why we recommend feeding a tiny portion to start and monitoring for any symptoms that suggest a reaction.
This can range from diarrhoea or bloating if your cat has a mild food intolerance to celery. It can also show as severe symptoms, like vomiting, lethargy, collapse, and seizures. These more severe symptoms would need veterinary help as soon as possible.
The good news is this would be very unlikely to happen, so as a vet, I feel feeding celery to cats is a safe food choice.
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Information purposes only
The suggestions offered here are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for pet-specific advice from your veterinarian. Never disregard your vet’s recommendations, or delay in acting on them, based on something you have read on this site. Regardless of how a food is rated here, any food that you give your pet can pose potential health risks, including allergic reactions, choking, or other health conditions such as bloat. Always monitor your pet while they’re eating, and never introduce a new food into your pet’s diet without first consulting your veterinarian.
Pet poison emergency protocol
If your pet is acting sick, call your regular veterinarian immediately. If your regular veterinarian is closed, call a nearby on-call veterinarian, animal urgent care, or veterinary emergency hospital. If your pet is not acting sick but you think they may have been exposed to a poison, call the Animal Poison Line (01202 50 9000).
Food safety statuses
Could be given almost daily without harm
Not toxic, but should not be given regularly
Toxic or simply too risky to give to your pet