In this article, we will answer the question can cats eat celery?
This may be a question that ran across your mind as your cat observed you enjoying a healthy snack, or possibly your little feline nabbed a piece while you weren’t looking.
Yes, cats can indeed eat celery safely. Interestingly, celery had many health benefits for cats. However, this comes mostly in the form of high fiber and high vitamin content.
Having said that, it’s always best to ask your veterinarian before sharing any human cuisine with your cat, and this includes celery.
Below you’ll find the details as to why it’s perfectly safe and even healthy for your kitty to eat celery.
Can Cats Eat Celery?
Yes, they can eat celery, but is celery good for cats? There are actually several health benefits, and below are some of the positive things your cat can gain from a bit of celery.
As is the case in humans, celery improves digestive health in most animals, including our feline friends. This has everything to do with the high amount of phytonutrients present in even one stalk of celery.
Benefits of Celery for Cats
A phytonutrient refers to a chemical made by plants to protect them against predation and other environmental dangers that can result in damage.
It is these phytonutrients that are healthy for some animals to consume. Phytonutrients have anti-inflammatory properties which can reduce inflammation in the digestive tract.
Furthermore, celery stalks have about 20 different kinds of anti-inflammatory compounds. These compounds help improve the health of digestive tracts and can even prevent other ailments such as arthritis and other inflammatory problems that happen in organs.
The fact that celery promotes healthy digestive tracts and is chock full of antioxidants makes it an option for anyone’s overall health, including your cat’s.
An antioxidant is a chemical compound found in food that helps to prevent oxidative damage from something known as free radicals.
An antioxidant protects your organs from oxidative damage, including your digestive organs. And celery has 15 different types of antioxidants to help to fortify your body. These ingredients don’t work to the same magnitude as they do for humans, but they don’t hurt your cat either.
Additionally, the celery also had pectin-based polysaccharides, which are perhaps more essential to your cat because it promotes stomach health specifically.
Finally, the high water and fiber content help to promote an overall healthy digestive system. This can help your cat if he doesn’t have a steady bowel schedule.
Potential Risks
There is one thing to be aware of; cats intrinsically gravitate toward meat because they’re carnivores. This fact also makes them unable to do the digestive work necessary to break down certain foods and absorb the nutrients. So they won’t get the same benefits that humans would.
It is a safe vegetable for cats to have, but not regularly. Slow and steady wins the race. Small bites of celery are great for chewing on, and they offer excellent hydration since they’re mostly water. Also, cats tend to go bonkers for celery leaves, much like catnip. They enjoy rubbing their faces and rolling around on the leaves.
Too much celery can make your cat go too much and have stomach problems in conjunction. Call your vet if you’re unsure of how to go about adding celery here and there. They’ll be able to guide your portions for your specific cat.
Related Food Questions:
What to Do if Your Cat Ate Too Much Celery
Although celery is safe for cats to consume, it’s always best to feed them celery in moderation. If a cat happens to eat too much celery, it may cause them to have a stomach ache or even develop a bad case of diarrhea.
Additionally, before giving your cat celery, be sure to wash the celery thoroughly. This washes any potential chemical away that the celery may have been treated with during the commercial growing process.
In the end, make sure that you’ve chopped the celery stalks into smaller and more manageable pieces. This decreases the chances of the celery being a choking hazard for your beloved kitty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the responses to the most commonly asked questions regarding cats eating celery:
Like pretty much all the other vegetables, celery will lose key nutrients if you decide to cook it. If you’re trying to give your cat an extra boost, it’s best to give it to them raw. The most important thing is that you clean it thoroughly.
It’s easy to figure out how much celery you need to give your cat. Veggies and fruits should only count for five percent of your cat’s diet anyway. They get everything else from their nutrient-dense cat food that includes meat and fish.
Don’t let occasional treats disturb the balance that your cat’s diet already possesses.
One piece of celery cut up into small pieces is plenty for your cat. Two times a week is sufficient, if not just once a week. Sometimes it just takes some getting used to, and sometimes your cat will be indifferent, and they might not like it. Feel it out and go from there!
If your cat is eating too much celery, it can cause indigestion, tummy aches, diarrhea, and more. If any of those symptoms occur, stop giving them celery and consult your veterinarian. Every cat’s reaction is different, and what works for one kitty may not work for the next.
Absolutely! Celery juice has a lot of vitamins and fiber in it. You have to be careful because they are usually more concentrated than a stalk of celery. Don’t give your cat too much celery juice. Offer them a few teaspoons and see how they respond. That will let you know if they can tolerate it or if it’s too strong.
