Is celery part of your diet? Do you crave celery stalks and a little salad dressing as a snack? If you enjoy celery, does your dog give you the look that says, “Hey! What about me?” If your dog wants to try celery, you’ll be happy to know that celery is one of the foods that is considered safe for dogs to eat, in moderation. Of course, there are always some things to know when you feed your dog “human” food so keep reading!
Nutrition
Celery is part of the same family as carrots, parsnips, and parsley. It’s low in calories. It also contains antioxidants that may help prevent disease. Plus, the fiber in celery is good for the cardiovascular and digestive systems.
Raw celery is a healthy snack. It’s a good source of riboflavin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. It’s a very good source of dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, potassium, and manganese. It’s also low in saturated fat and very low in cholesterol.
However, celery is high in sodium and a large amount of its calories come from sugars.
One serving of celery (110 grams) contains 73 percent carbohydrates, 10 percent fats, and 17 percent protein. It’s very low on the glycemic index.
One serving contains 17.6 calories. It has 3.8 grams of carbohydrates, 1.8 grams of dietary fiber, and 2.0 grams of sugar. It has 0.2 grams of total fat and 0.1 grams of polyunsaturated fat. One serving contains 0.8 grams of protein.
However, celery is high in water. Most of the vitamins and minerals in celery are found in small amounts.
Celery, raw (Apium graveolens)
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
| Energy | 67 kJ (16 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 2.97 g (including fiber) |
| Starch | 0.00 g |
| Sugars
lactose |
1.34 g
0.00 g |
| Dietary fiber | 1.6 g |
| Fat | 0.17 g |
| Saturated | 0.042 g |
| Trans | 0.000 g |
| Monounsaturated | 0.032 g |
| Polyunsaturated | 0.079 g |
| Protein | 0.69 g |
| Vitamins | Quantity
%DV† |
| Vitamin A equiv. | 3%
22 μg |
| Thiamine (B1) | 2%
0.021 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 5%
0.057 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 2%
0.320 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 5%
0.246 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 6%
0.074 mg |
| Folate (B9) | 9%
36 μg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0%
0.00 μg |
| Choline | 1%
6.1 mg |
| Vitamin C | 4%
3.1 mg |
| Vitamin D | 0%
0 IU |
| Vitamin E | 2%
0.27 mg |
| Vitamin K | 28%
29.3 μg |
| Minerals | Quantity
%DV† |
| Calcium | 4%
40 mg |
| Copper | 2%
0.035 mg |
| Iron | 2%
0.20 mg |
| Magnesium | 3%
11 mg |
| Phosphorus | 3%
24 mg |
| Potassium | 6%
260 mg |
| Sodium | 5%
80 mg |
| Zinc | 1%
0.13 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 95.43 g |
| Alcohol (ethanol) | 0.0 g |
| Caffeine | 0 mg |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| · Units
· μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams · IU = International units |
|
Celery does contain a compound called apigenin which is used in traditional Chinese medicine as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidative agent. According to some research, it may also help fight cancer.
Celery also contains a flavenoid called luteolin. Luteolin may also have anti-cancer properties.
Other research has found that celery may have positive effects on blood pressure, hyperlipidemia (fatty molecules in the blood), the growth and development of nerve cells, and other health issues. More research is required.
Many people also eat celery as a way to help lose weight. The combination of water content and fiber can help people feel full between meals.
There are some potential risks with eating celery. Some people can be severely allergic to celery. Symptoms can include:
- Hives
- Swelling
- Difficulty breathing
If you have this reaction to eating celery, you need immediate medical attention. If you are allergic to celery, check food labels carefully. Even a hint of celery in foods can cause a reaction.
Pregnant women should avoid eating celery seeds. They can cause uterine stimulation.
Celery is also highly likely to contain pesticides. If you eat celery, make sure you wash it thoroughly before consuming it.
Can Dogs Have Celery?
Yes, celery is safe for dogs to eat. Many people like to give it to their dogs as a treat when they are trying to help their dogs lose weight. Like green beans and carrots, celery can be tasty and filling without adding many calories to your dog’s diet.
There are a few provisions to consider before you give your dog celery. Large stalks of celery can be a choking hazard to dogs so you should always chop celery into small pieces so it will be safer for your dog. This is especially important for small dogs.
Celery does contain a good amount of fiber so if your dog consumes a lot of it, it could result in an upset stomach. As with any new food, it’s best to start out by giving your dog just a small amount at first. Make sure your dog can digest it well. If your dog can eat the celery without any problems, you can gradually increase the amount you share with him.
Not all dogs like celery. Many dogs do like the crunch of celery but they may not like the flavor after they start eating it. Your dog may only eat a small amount of celery even if you offer him more. Some dogs may like it more.
How Much Celery Can You Give Your Dog?
Experts usually recommend that you only give your dog 10 percent of his calories in treats in snacks. However, celery is so low in calories that your dog could eat much more celery than would be good for him. One cup of raw celery only contains about 14 calories. Very few dogs need to eat a whole cup of celery in one day!
Instead of looking at calories, consider how much space the celery will likely take up in your dog’s gut, even when it’s being digested. The fibrous material will be in your dog’s stomach and intestines. Small dogs can probably eat about ¼ cup. Medium and larger dogs could eat ½ cup of chopped celery.
If your dog has no problem with these amounts you can adjust them later.
How Often Can You Give Your Dog Celery?
With the fiber in celery, it’s best not to give it to your dog every day. Once or twice per week would be safe.
Conclusion
Celery is considered to be a safe vegetable for dogs to eat as long as you are careful to chop it into bite-sized pieces. The long stalks could be choking hazards for dogs – especially for small dogs. Celery is a source of fiber so don’t give your dog too much, too often. Make sure that your dog can digest it well before you continue to give him more celery another day.
