Can Cats Eat Celery? Yes, a Small Piece Is Safe

Why celery is safe for cats

The ASPCA's guidance on vegetable gardens lists celery, along with carrots, zucchini, peas and beans, as produce that pets can eat as snacks in moderation. It is mostly water and fiber, low in calories, and contains nothing known to be toxic to cats.

That said, the Cornell Feline Health Center describes cats as obligate carnivores, and their natural diet contains very little plant material. Celery is harmless rather than helpful, so it is fine to let a curious cat nibble but there is no reason to add it to meals.

The string and choking problem

Celery stalks are full of long, fibrous strings. A cat that bites off a chunk and swallows it can gag on the strings, and a long string can be difficult to pass. Peeling the outer strings with a vegetable peeler and cutting the stalk into small pieces removes most of that risk.

Celery leaves are softer and many cats prefer them. Wash them well to remove dirt and any spray residue, and tear them into small pieces. If you grow celery, keep an eye on what else is in the garden, since some garden plants are toxic to cats.

How to prepare celery for a cat

Rinse the stalk, peel off the stringy outer layer, and cut it into pieces no bigger than a pea, or thin slices. Raw is fine. Steaming for a minute or two softens it, which some cats find easier to chew.

Serve it plain. Celery sticks with ranch dressing, cream cheese or peanut butter, celery cooked in stuffing or soup with onion and garlic, and celery salt should be kept away from cats. The ASPCA warns onion and garlic damage red blood cells, and cats are more susceptible than dogs.

A feeding mat under a ceramic bowl keeps any shared food in one place and easy to clean up.

How much celery a cat can have

For an average adult cat of 8 to 12 lb, two or three pea-size pieces or a small torn leaf is plenty, a couple of times a week at most. Cornell suggests treats make up no more than about 10 to 15 percent of daily calories, and celery is so low in calories that the limit is really about fiber.

Too much celery can cause loose stool or, because it is a mild diuretic, more frequent urination. If your cat has a urinary or kidney condition, ask your vet before offering vegetables.

Kittens and celery

Kittens can try a tiny piece of soft, string-free celery once they are fully weaned, but there is no benefit to it. Their throats are narrow, so the string risk matters more, and their stomachs are more easily upset.

Keep kittens focused on kitten food, which is balanced for growth. If a kitten likes to chew greens, a pot of cat grass is a better outlet than vegetables from the kitchen.

Signs celery disagreed with your cat

The most common reaction is a soft stool or a single vomit within a few hours, often with a strand of celery visible. This usually settles within a day without treatment. Some cats simply gag on a string and then carry on normally.

Call your vet if your cat keeps gagging or retching, cannot swallow, has repeated vomiting, stops eating or strains in the litter box. If your cat ate celery from a dish containing onion or garlic, call your vet or ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435; a fee may apply.

Other vegetables and better treats

Other plain vegetables that some cats nibble include cooked carrot, zucchini, green beans and peas, all listed by the ASPCA as fine for pets in moderation. Cut them small and serve them without butter or seasoning.

Most cats get more from a thumbnail-size piece of plain cooked chicken or white fish. If your cat likes greenery, cat grass gives it something safe to chew.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.