Can puppies eat celery?

In very small amounts, once they are weaned and settled onto solid food. Cut it into pieces genuinely small for a puppy's mouth, offer one piece the first time, and watch how they get on before treating it as a regular snack.

Can dogs eat celery leaves?

Yes, the leafy tops are not a problem for most dogs. Wash them the same way you would the stalk, and introduce them gradually the first time in case your dog's stomach reacts differently to the leaf than the stalk.

Does celery help a dog lose weight?

It is a low-calorie option compared with many treats, which can help if you are managing your dog's weight, but it is not a diet plan on its own. Speak to your vet about your dog's overall food if weight is a genuine concern.

Can dogs eat cooked celery?

Yes, plain cooked celery with nothing added is fine, and cooking softens the fibres that cause the choking concern with raw stalks. Avoid celery cooked in stock, butter or seasoning meant for people, since some of those ingredients are not suitable for dogs.

Is celery safe for dogs?

Yes, celery is safe for dogs. It is not toxic, it is low in calories, and plenty of dogs enjoy the crunch. The two things to manage are the stringy fibres running down each stalk, which can catch in a dog's throat, and giving too much in one sitting.

Why celery is fine in small amounts

Celery is mostly water with a little fibre, and nothing in the vegetable itself is dangerous to a dog at normal treat-sized amounts. That makes it a reasonable low-calorie option for a dog who is watching their weight, compared with a fattier shop-bought treat.

It sits well away from the genuinely dangerous foods on a dog's plate — onions, garlic and grapes are the ones that carry real toxicity risk, and celery is nothing like them. The concern here is texture and quantity, not poisoning.

How to serve it safely

Wash the stalk and trim off both ends before cutting it into short lengths rather than handing over a whole long piece. The stringy fibres that run down a celery stalk are the main hazard — they can catch at the back of a dog's throat, particularly in smaller dogs who take a bigger bite relative to their size.

Skip any dip or spread served alongside it. Some contain onion or garlic powder, and some low-fat or reduced-sugar versions use xylitol as a sweetener, which is genuinely dangerous for dogs. Plain celery on its own is the safer way to share it.

When to hold off

If your dog has never had celery before, start with one small piece rather than a handful, and see how they get on before making it a regular thing. A dog with a known sensitive stomach is more likely to react to anything new, celery included.

If a dog swallows a large piece whole rather than chewing it, watch for coughing, gagging or repeated swallowing straight afterwards. That is more likely to be the texture catching than anything toxic, but ring your vet if it does not settle quickly or your dog seems distressed.

What to feed instead

A treat made for dogs is an easier way to reward them regularly without needing to prepare a vegetable each time, and it takes the guesswork out of portion size.

Puzzle feeders and slow feeders also work well with a small piece of celery mixed in — they slow a dog down and turn a low-calorie snack into something that takes longer to get through, which is useful for a dog who bolts their food and could do with eating a little more slowly.

Safer things to give instead

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Chicken-Wrapped Milk Stick Dog Treats

Chewy dog treats of soft milk sticks wrapped in real chicken for tasty, protein-rich rewarding.

From£12.99

Turkey Tail Mushroom & Probiotic Powder

A bacon-flavoured turkey tail mushroom and probiotic powder you sprinkle over food. Made to support immunity, energy and gut health, with scoop guidance for every weight from small to large pets.

£13.99

Fast UK delivery

Tarhong Concentric Circle Slow Feeder Bowl for Dogs & Cats

A stylish slow-feeder bowl that encourages healthier, calmer mealtimes — available in blue, grey, or white.

£14.99

Yeast Protection Gut & Skin Supplement For Dogs

A powdered daily supplement for dogs to support normal gut flora and healthy skin, with a measuring scoop.

£14.99

Browse all of Dogs →

Common questions

Can puppies eat celery?: In very small amounts, once they are weaned and settled onto solid food. Cut it into pieces genuinely small for a puppy's mouth, offer one piece the first time, and watch how they get on before treating it as a regular snack.
Can dogs eat celery leaves?: Yes, the leafy tops are not a problem for most dogs. Wash them the same way you would the stalk, and introduce them gradually the first time in case your dog's stomach reacts differently to the leaf than the stalk.
Does celery help a dog lose weight?: It is a low-calorie option compared with many treats, which can help if you are managing your dog's weight, but it is not a diet plan on its own. Speak to your vet about your dog's overall food if weight is a genuine concern.
Can dogs eat cooked celery?: Yes, plain cooked celery with nothing added is fine, and cooking softens the fibres that cause the choking concern with raw stalks. Avoid celery cooked in stock, butter or seasoning meant for people, since some of those ingredients are not suitable for dogs.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.