Celery is known to be a low-calorie diet food that packs quite a lot of health benefits in humans. But is celery a food that your dog can eat?
The good news is that celery is one of the many vegetables that are safe for dogs to eat, according to the American Kennel Club. It’s inexpensive, and packs a lot of health benefits for any breed.
Can Dogs Eat Celery?
Dogs can eat celery as a tasty snack or as part of their regular diets. The best thing about celery is that it’s crunchy and has a satisfying mouthfeel for dogs! As it turns out, it’s safe for dogs too. What’s even better is that dogs get the same benefits as humans do when eating celery.
This is great because dogs are omnivores and eat the green stuff too. Haven’t you noticed how they sometimes bite off leaves from the plants you pass whenever you’re out for walks? This is a natural inclination for dogs, who know that a little bit of roughage will help aid in their digestion.
Benefits Of Eating Celery For Dogs
Now that you know celery is safe for your dog to eat, you might be wondering what benefits it has to your dog. Here are the different benefits of celery and why it’s great for dogs.
Low-Calorie Food
Dogs love to eat, for sure you know that already! Whether it’s their dog food, a special doggy treat, our leftover lunch, or the scraps from the floor, there’s no delicious scent that they can’t sniff out and eat! This can be a problem though. Eating too much can make them overweight or obese, which can lead to a lot of health problems.
But not with celery! It’s a low-calorie diet that won’t make them gain weight. However, it doesn’t replace their meal so it’s best to make it part of a balanced diet.
Potassium
Fun fact: celery has almost the same amount of potassium as a banana (another food dogs love!). What’s potassium and why is it important? Potassium is an electrolyte and also a mineral. It’s important because it helps them stay hydrated and this is a big deal because dogs don’t have sweat glands. The only place they can release sweat is through their noses, that’s why it’s always wet. With the right amount of potassium, dogs won’t get dehydrated at all. But it doesn’t replace water, so be sure to keep their water bowl filled!
Another benefit of potassium is that it also helps manage muscular or heart and liver issues. A healthy dose of celery can help dogs suffering from these issues. But remember, celery is not a cure. It’s just a supplement that can help with such problems. It’s still better to go to your vet if you suspect any muscular or cardiovascular issues.
High Water Content
The potassium and the natural high water content of celery are what keeps dogs hydrated even after spending a day under the sun or running around all day. The water helps their bodies cool down so they don’t have to drink from their water bowl as often. If you live in a place where the climate is usually hot, it makes celery a good snack to beat the heat.
Antioxidants
Celery is full of antioxidants that can prevent dogs from getting sick and unhealthy. Getting enough antioxidants like vitamin E helps with their overall well-being. A diet rich in antioxidants means your dog can grow up healthy and old with a low risk of getting any major disease or experiencing health problems.
Fiber
Vegetables like celery have a lot of fiber in them and fiber supports a well functioning digestive system. The high fiber content of celery helps with regular bowel movement. This can be helpful for overweight dogs because fiber helps flush out all the waste, resulting in weight loss. For dogs with no weight issues, they can be more active and have more energy to play.
The fiber also keeps their stomach full for a longer period. Because of this, they don’t need to snack as often. This prevents them from eating too much, which can lead to being overweight. But be careful, too much fiber can also result in diarrhea. Too much of a good thing can be bad too.
Vitamins and Minerals
Celery is a source of a lot of vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A is good for the eyes and also promotes healthy skin and muscles for better movement. Meanwhile, vitamin K is responsible for bone health and proper blood clotting.
For the immune system, celery is rich in Vitamin C and zinc, which boosts the immune system, just like how it works in humans. Zinc aids in proper digestion as well.
Another important mineral is Manganese. This one is important for blood sugar balance. It also reduces any inflammation and also contributes to healthy and strong bones.
How To Feed Dogs Celery
Now that you know the great things that celery can do, the next thing to know is how you can give celery the right way. Celery isn’t a meal replacement and is served best as a treat or part of our meal. This means that celery should be given in small quantities and in moderation only.
Here are the different ways you can feed celery to your dog.
Make Sure They’re Washed
The first thing you have to do is to make sure they’re washed properly. Not all vegetables in the market are organically grown, so it’s important to wash off any residue of pesticide left, especially in the leaves. If you want to be really careful, you can cut off the leaves and use the stalk instead.
In Small Pieces Only
As mentioned earlier, celery can be considered a treat, not a meal. Cutting them into smaller pieces is the way to go. This way, you can control how much celery you can feed your dog. Another important reason for cutting it into smaller pieces is that a long stalk of celery might be a choking hazard, especially for smaller breeds. Sometimes dogs just get so excited with treats that they practically inhale their food.
Mix It With Dog Food
Let’s face it, some people don’t find celery as one of the best-tasting vegetables out there. In case your dog doesn’t find the taste of celery appealing, there’s still a way you can feed them this mighty vegetable. You can mix small pieces of celery into their food or you can chop or blend it in their meal. Either way, you can start with small amounts first, gradually increasing the quantity if they like it.
As a Reward
If your dog turns out to be a celery lover, you can use it as a reward for being a good dog! It can be a cheaper, healthier, and more natural alternative to the other doggy treats in the market.
As a Snack
Another way is to give it as a snack. You mix it up with peanut butter, yogurt, apples, or whatever snack your dog loves.
The Power of Celery
Celery is a great snack that can provide a lot of health benefits. If you’re struggling with your dog’s weight issues, or want to make sure we don’t become overweight or obese, vegetables like celery is a good way to make sure they remain healthy.