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Can Cats Eat Celery? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 26, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Can Cats Eat CELERY

Can Cats Eat Celery? Vet-Reviewed Nutrition Facts & FAQ

VET APPROVED

Dr. Maja Platisa Photo

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Maja Platisa

DVM MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more »

Celery is jokingly considered to be a “negative calorie” food in that it seems like you consume more energy eating and digesting it than it provides. However, scientific research has now put a stop to this health myth, but still, celery has many great vitamins and minerals!

But is celery safe for cats? Absolutely! But cats will not reap any significant benefits from having this vegetable as an occasional snack, nor do they need it. Speak to your vet when considering new treats for your cat, as they may not be suitable for all cats based on their age, health, underlying issues, prescription diets, or ongoing medication.

Let’s look at why cats can eat celery and how you should offer it to them.

cat face divider 2Are There Health Benefits of Feeding Celery to Your Cat?

While celery isn’t going to provide all the energy your cat needs, it’s packed full of health benefits for your feline friend.

Detox juice fruit_iriska_ira_shutterstock
Image Credit: Iriska Ira, Shutterstock

First, celery contains fiber, like most other veggies. Fiber helps to maintain a healthy digestive tract. Since celery is made up of almost 95% water, it’s a great way to give your cat a little bit extra moisture.

This veggie is also full of many different minerals and vitamins, including potassium, folate, magnesium, iron, sodium, vitamin K, and beta carotene.

However, the amount of celery your cat can safely eat as an occasional snack is highly unlikely to provide them with any significant health benefits. Cats have very different dietary requirements than humans (and dogs), and will thrive on a diet rich in animal protein and moderate in fat. They do not need carbs either.

The fiber content in celery cannot be relied upon to help cats suffering with constipation or other digestive issues, as the underlying causes for this are variable and always require prompt veterinary attention. Please consult your vet if your cat is having any health issues rather than trying to treat them at home, which may lead to worsening of their condition.

When it comes to vitamins and minerals, cats will receive all the essential nutrients they need from a complete and balanced animal protein-based diet. Vegetables can never replace this, as they do not contain the essential amino acids cats require. Even beta carotene from celery cannot be utilized by cats to convert it to vitamin A, and they need it added to their commercial diet, according to AAFCO guidelines.1

Celery in Moderation

There can be such a thing as too much celery. Overeating celery can lead to digestive issues, discomfort, bloat, reduced appetite, lethargy, and diarrhea. So, if your cat loves chomping down on this healthy green, you should only feed it to them in moderation as an occasional treat no more than once a week. All cat treats combined should make no more than 5-10% of their daily food energy and calorie intake.

If your cat does start to experience any of these gastrointestinal signs, immediately stop offering them celery. In that case, if the signs are not self limiting and resolved within a day, which is the usual scenario, or your cat starts feeling even worse, continues vomiting, having diarrhea, or is not eating, they should see the vet as soon as possible.

There has been a report on celery leading to photosensitivity and dermatitis in people due to a compound called psoralen. We do not have enough verified information to say if this would be an issue or a concern in cats, but it’s important to be mindful. Eating celery in moderation as an occasional treat is unlikely to lead to this problem in cats, but excess celery, alongside digestive issues, certainly may have the potential to cause this skin issue as well.

How Much Celery to Feed Your Cat

Determining how much celery is right for your cat depends on their age, weight, lifestyle, underlying health issues, and diet preference. Speak to your vet about the safe amount of celery that is appropriate for your cat. Combined with all the other treats throughout the day, celery should not make up more than 5% of your cat’s diet. Offer it in strict moderation and only occasionally.

vegetables-pixabay
Image Credit: pasja1000, Shutterstock

Best Ways to Feed Your Cat Celery

Your cat is unlikely going to go bonkers over chewing on an entire stalk of celery. After all, cats tend to prefer bite-size nibbles. This is why it’s best to dice up your celery into small pieces before attempting to feed it to your cat. Trying to chew or swallow a bigger or hard piece of raw celery can cause choking, drooling, or may lead to further digestive issues. Cooking the celery will make it softer and easier for your cat to chew and swallow.

If your cat’s a fan of crunchy treats, they may love raw celery. However, the taste and/or texture won’t appeal to every cat. But that doesn’t mean your furry friend won’t enjoy a small amount of finely chopped celery mixed into their food or served as a topper, but only very occasionally and according to your vet’s advice. If your cat has no interest in celery, as most will not, do not force them to eat it.

You can also feed celery leaves to your cat in moderation. These are the leafy tops of celery stalks and may be easier to feed to your cat. However, just like the stalks themselves, they should be finely chopped.

Can I Feed My Cat Cooked Celery?

While you certainly can feed cooked celery to your cat, make sure you do not add any seasonings or spices, many of which are toxic to cats. Whether you opt for raw or cooked celery, remember to always clean this vegetable thoroughly before offering it to your pet. Cooked celery will be much softer and easier for your cat to nibble on, while raw celery tends to be quite hard and chewy and may pose a higher risk for choking or lead to digestive issues.

cat paw dividerSumming Up

Celery can be a nice and healthy treat for your cat when prepared and served adequately. It’s packed full of vitamins and minerals, but we cannot expect your cat to reap any significant benefits from it. Instead, they need a complete and balanced feline-specific diet, which is based on animal protein. But there can be too much of a good thing. Feeding your cat an excessive amount of celery can affect a healthy balanced gastrointestinal tract and cause digestive issues or diarrhea.

However, if you practice moderation when serving celery to your cat and follow your vet’s recommendations, you’ll find that it could be a superb occasional snack for your kitty.


Featured Image Credit: stevepb, Pixabay

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