Home / Can Dogs Eat / Celery
Yes, plain celery is safe for dogs. Celery is a low-calorie vegetable that most dogs can enjoy as an occasional treat. The one rule that matters is the size of the pieces: celery must be washed and cut into bite-size pieces, because a whole stalk can be a choking hazard, especially for small dogs and puppies.
Celery is naturally low in fat and cholesterol, so it is a satisfying treat for dogs that need to lose weight, and it adds almost no calories to the day. The AKC lists celery among the vegetables dogs can eat, and its celery guide notes that celery contains fiber and vitamins A, C and K, plus folate, potassium and manganese. Its crunchy texture is another plus: many dogs enjoy chewing it, and the AKC notes it may help freshen your dog's breath. Like all treats, celery should stay a small part of the day. The general rule is that treats, celery included, should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog's daily calories, and celery should never replace a complete and balanced meal. Dogs fed a complete and balanced diet do not need vegetables the way people do, but a safe vegetable as an occasional treat is fine.
Celery is safe, but its shape is the risk. A long, stringy stalk can be hard for a dog to bite through, and a whole stalk can lodge in the throat. Small dogs are most at risk, and puppies need close supervision the first few times they try it. The fix is simple: wash the celery, then cut it into bite-size pieces before you offer any. Small pieces let your dog chew and swallow safely, and they also make it easy to use celery as a training reward. If your dog tends to gulp food without chewing, cut the pieces even smaller, or skip raw celery and offer a softer treat instead, such as cucumber slices or carrot pieces, which follow the same cut-it-small rule.
Serve celery plain. Wash it, cut it into bite-size pieces, and offer a few pieces at a time. Raw celery is fine and keeps the crunch, and cooked celery is fine too, as long as nothing is added to it. Do not serve celery with dips, dressings or seasoned spreads: a thin smear of plain, xylitol-free peanut butter is the one common pairing, and even then check the label first, because peanut butter sweetened with xylitol is toxic to dogs. Our guide explains what to check: can dogs eat peanut butter. Start with one or two small pieces the first time, and watch your dog for a day. Some dogs get mild digestive upset when trying celery for the first time, with vomiting, diarrhea or extra gas, so a slow introduction is the right approach. If your dog has an underlying health condition or dietary restriction, check with your veterinarian before adding any new food.
A few small pieces are plenty. The right amount depends on your dog's size, activity level, daily food intake and the other treats they get that day, but celery is best kept as an occasional snack, not a daily staple. A large dog might enjoy a small handful of pieces; a small dog needs only two or three. Too much celery at once can upset the stomach, and too many treats of any kind can unbalance the diet, so keep the 10 percent rule in mind: treats of all kinds together should stay under 10 percent of daily calories. If you are unsure about portion sizes, your veterinarian can help work out what fits your dog.
Yes, puppies can eat small amounts of celery if it is cut into pieces sized for them. Supervise closely the first few times, because puppies are more likely to gulp, and the choking risk is higher for them. Offer one or two small pieces and watch how your puppy chews and swallows before giving more. If your puppy struggles with the pieces, wait until they are older, or offer a softer vegetable treat instead.
The leaves are the same plant as the stalks, so a few washed celery leaves are fine as a treat. Most dogs prefer the stalks, but the leaves can be chopped and mixed into regular food for a dog that likes them. The same rules apply: wash them, keep the amount small, and skip any leaves that have been sprayed or dressed.
Celery is safe for most dogs, but every dog is different, and a food that works for one dog may not suit another. Call your veterinarian if your dog vomits, has diarrhea or seems unwell after eating celery, if your dog chokes or struggles to swallow a piece, or if your dog has a health condition or takes medication that affects their diet. If your dog eats something you know is toxic, do not wait for symptoms: contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 straight away. For the general steps that apply to anything a dog should not have eaten, see our emergency guide.
More crunchy, low-calorie vegetables with their own guides: cucumber and carrots. Back to all food safety guides.
This guide's verdict is 'Yes, plain celery is safe for dogs.'. 'Yes' is the verdict class on 13 of the 81 guides here. Behind it sit 3 listed sources, checked for this food.
The Celery verdict rests on American Kennel Club, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Every one of them was read with this food in mind. Other guides resting on the same lead source: can dogs eat peanut butter, can dogs eat watermelon.
Yes. Celery is generally safe for dogs when it is served plain and in moderation. It is naturally low in fat and cholesterol, so it works well as a low-calorie treat, especially for dogs that need to lose weight. Always wash it and cut it into bite-size pieces first.
Yes. Dogs can safely eat raw celery as long as it is washed and cut into bite-size pieces to reduce the risk of choking. Cooked celery is also fine, but plain raw celery keeps the crunch most dogs enjoy, and it needs no preparation beyond washing and chopping.
Celery can be a healthy, low-calorie treat. It contains fiber and vitamins A, C and K, plus folate, potassium and manganese, and its crunchy texture may help freshen your dog's breath. It should still be offered in moderation and never replace a complete and balanced meal.
A few small pieces are plenty. Celery is a treat, not a meal, and treats should make up no more than 10 percent of your dog's daily calories. The right amount depends on your dog's size, activity level and daily food intake, so start small and ask your veterinarian if you are unsure.
It can, especially the first time. Some dogs get mild digestive upset when trying celery for the first time, so introduce it slowly and watch for vomiting, diarrhea or extra gas. If your dog has a sensitive stomach or an underlying health condition, check with your veterinarian first.
Yes, puppies can eat small amounts of celery if it is cut into pieces sized for them. Because of the choking risk, supervise a puppy closely the first few times, and offer only one or two small pieces so you can see how they handle it.
Yes, the leaves are safe too. Celery leaves are the same plant as the stalks, so a few washed leaves are fine as a treat. Most dogs prefer the stalks, but the leaves can be chopped and mixed into their regular food if your dog likes them.
Yes, if the peanut butter is plain and xylitol-free. A thin smear of plain peanut butter on a celery stick is a popular enrichment snack, but check the label first: peanut butter sweetened with xylitol is toxic to dogs. Our guide explains what to check: can dogs eat peanut butter.
This page is general information drawn from the published guidance of the organizations listed under Sources below. It is not veterinary advice, and it does not replace your own veterinarian, who knows your dog. If your dog has eaten something toxic, contact your veterinarian, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435, or the Pet Poison Helpline on (855) 764-7661 straight away. A consultation fee may apply on the helplines.
Last updated: November 2026. Every verdict on this page was checked against at least two of the sources listed above. How we work: our methodology.
All food safety guides | My dog ate something toxic: what to do