Paw parents are always in search of a variety of healthy ingredients to add to their dog’s daily diet. And when it comes to healthy ingredients what else can be better than fruits and vegetables? Celeriac is one such vegetable that might be in your mind due to its connection with carrots and the thought, “Can dogs eat celeriac?” might have struck you.
Through our blog, we will try to provide the right direction and help you with your search spree.
What Is Celeriac?
Celeriac is a root vegetable and belongs to the same family as celery, carrot and parsley. Celeriac has a nutty and earthy flavor which makes it favourable among people. It has a crunchy texture with a rough surface and smooth white flesh.
Celeriac can be eaten either raw or cooked. It serves several health benefits and has been a great addition to many savoury dishes. Celeriac can be grated or sliced and added to soups and stews.
It is good for heart health, and gut health and also helps in preventing cancer.
Can Dogs Eat Celeriac?
Yes, dogs can eat celeriac, it is good for them and also promotes their health. It helps in their overall development. Celeriac is rich in potassium, phosphorus and vitamin K.
As mentioned by Tiffany Tupler, DVM, CBCC-KA in petmd, "Deficiencies of vitamin K can cause prolonged clotting times and hemorrhage. They can occur due to underlying medical conditions that impair absorption of vitamin K in the gut (such as inflammatory bowel disease). Certain forms of vitamin K can cause anemia and jaundice."
These nutrients help strengthen the dog’s bone health and prevent blood clots and its growth. A dog can eat both cooked as well as raw celeriac. Before feeding your dog celeriac try giving small pieces and check whether your dog has an allergy to it or not.
Avoid giving your dog celeriac if he is allergic to it or has a food intolerance issue. Even though celeriac is good for dogs it should be given in moderation and in moderate quantity. Feeding your dog excessive celeriac can cause digestive issues in your dog.
Feeding a dog an excessive amount of celeriac will lead to vomiting, and diarrhea and can upset his stomach. While giving it to the dog make sure you serve it in small pieces as the large chunks can get stuck in the throat.
If your dog eats large chunks then it can lead to blockage in the intestine which may require surgery to remove it.
How To Prepare Celeriac for Your Dog?
If you are considering giving your dog celeriac then you can give it in the following ways:
Cooked and mashed
Though dogs can eat raw and small chunks of celeriac if you feed them the cooked and mashed form it will be easy to digest. You can either boil or steam the celeriac and then mash it in puree form with regular dog food or serve it as it is.
Raw and sliced
Raw veggies are as it is good for dogs. Celeriac in its raw form is very crunchy which will make a great treat for your dog. To feed your dog raw celeriac you can feed it by cutting it into small pieces. You can also add other suitable veggies to it and can make a great dog vegetable treat for your dog.
Oven baked
To enhance the taste and to serve your dog something different than the regular cooked and boiled food you can bake the celeriac. Bake the celeriac in the oven with some olive oil and dog-friendly ingredients. Bake it for at least 15 to 20 minutes till it turns golden and crisp.
You can serve it with your dog’s regular dog food or with other treats too.
How Often Can You Feed Celeriac to Your Dog?
The amount of celeriac you should feed your dog depends on their size, age, weight and most importantly their dietary requirement[1]. Here is a general guide on how much amount of celeriac to be given to dogs:
Puppies
You should avoid feeding puppies with celeriac till they turn 6 months old. The digestive system of puppies is different and make takes time to adjust to new food. If you want to feed them celeriac start after 6 months that too gradually.
Small dog
For small dogs, you can feed them a few amounts of celeriac that too as a treat. You should them celeriac once or twice a week only to avoid complications.
For medium and large dogs, half a celeriac is a reasonable portion per serving. You can also feed them celeriac once or twice a week as a treat.
Medium dog
For dogs with medium sizes too you should consider feeding the celeriac the same as a treat. If you want you can adjust the portion to serve according to their nutritional need, after consulting a vet. However, you should feed it once or twice a week.
Senior dog
For senior dogs, celeriac is quite very beneficial and serves their various nutritional need but it should not be given excessively to them too. Senior dogs are as it is suffering from various health issues and need a specialized diet, so feed them celeriac accordingly.
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Celeriac for Dogs
Here are the potential risks associated with feeding your dog celeriac:
- As the fibre content in celeriac is high, feeding it more than required can lead to gastrointestinal issues like bloating, vomiting, nausea and gas.
- Celeriacs are hard fibrous food, if your dog does not chew it properly then it can get stuck in their throat. This situation can lead to choking in them.
- If your dog has a food intolerance[2] then there are higher chance your dog may develop an allergic reaction to celeriac. This may further cause swelling, hives and itching in dogs.
- Due to the high sodium content in celeriac, it can affect your dog’s heart and kidneys. Excessive sugar can become the reason for dehydration and high blood pressure in dogs.
FAQs
Can dogs eat celeriac?
Yes, dogs can eat celeriac, it is good for their health and is beneficial for their overall growth too. Celeriac is full of phosphorus, potassium and vitamin K. While giving your dog celeriac remove its skin as it is not edible. Feeding your dog the skin can result in digestive issues.
Can dogs eat raw celeriac root?
Yes, dogs can eat raw celeriac root. To give your dog celeriac root wash it off and peel its skin. You can feed it to your dog celeriac root by either chopping it in pieces or grating it. You can add raw celeriac root to your dog’s daily food to make it more healthy and tasty.
Can celeriac upset dogs stomach?
Though celeriac is good for dogs, it can upset a dog’s stomach. Celeriac if given to dogs with skin then it can lead to an upset stomach. Apart from this celeriac contains vitamin K, phosphorus and potassium, which is why if it is given in excessive quantities then it can lead to upset stomachs in dogs.
Can celeriac cause blockage in dogs?
Yes, celeriac can cause blockage in dogs. If your dog consumes a large chunk of celeriac then it can surely get stuck and cause blockage in the dog’s stomach. Due to this blockage, your dog may suffer from other problems too and may require surgery to remove it.
Why does my dog feel sick after eating celeriac?
The reason behind your dog feeling sick after eating celeriac is that he is allergic to it. Often dogs are allergic to many things and many of them have food intolerance. Due to this reason, a dog feels sick. Apart from this another reason why your dog might feel sick is if he has eaten the celeriac more than required.
Conclusion
Celeriac is undoubtedly a great ingredient with health benefits to add to your dog’s diet. We hope that through our blog, “Can dogs eat celeriac?” we have successfully solved your query. Though celeriac is good for dogs it should only be fed moderately or as a treat to your dog.
Before introducing it to your dog’s food try feeding it in small quantities to identify if your dog is allergic to it or not. If your dog shows any abnormalities or negative symptoms then avoid feeding it to them and consult a vet immediately.
Reference:
- Dog Nutrition | Pets 4 Life. (n.d.).
- Food allergies. (2018, May 22). Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
