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| Safe? | Yes, in moderation |
| How much | A few leaves and a stalk piece about 5 cm (2 in) long for a 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit |
| How often | Two or three times a week |
| Best served | Raw, washed, stalk cut into short pieces |
| Watch out for | Long stringy pieces, large daily portions |
Is celery safe for rabbits?
Yes. The Rabbit Welfare Association lists celery with fennel as a suitable non-leafy vegetable, to be "fed alongside unlimited hay", and lists celeriac among root vegetables. The House Rabbit Society lists celery among non-leafy vegetables, Woodgreen lists it as a safe vegetable, and VetPartners says both stalks and leaves are suitable.
The RSPCA is more cautious. It says some greens, "such as spinach, cabbage and celery", can be fed safely but "should only be offered occasionally". We follow the RSPCA here: celery is a good crunchy extra a few times a week, not a daily staple.
How much celery can a rabbit have?
The House Rabbit Society caps non-leafy vegetables at about 1 tablespoon per 900 g (2 lb) of body weight a day, all together. For a 2 kg (4.4 lb) rabbit that is about 2 tablespoons, which a piece of stalk about 5 cm (2 in) long, chopped, fits inside. The leaves can go in with the day's mixed greens. Two or three times a week is plenty.
How to prepare celery
- Wash well. Soil collects at the base of the stalks and in the leaves.
- Cut across the stalk. Chop into pieces about 2 to 3 cm (1 in) long so the strings stay short.
- Add the leaves. Tear the leafy tops into the mixed greens.
- Start small. One or two pieces the first time, then check droppings stay round and firm over the next day.
Which parts and forms are safe?
| Part or form | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Leaves | Yes, with the mixed greens |
| Stalks | Yes, cut short |
| Celeriac (the root vegetable) | Yes, a small cube |
| Celery seed, celery salt | No |
| Cooked celery, soup, celery with dips | No |
Who should skip celery?
Hold back for young rabbits still settling on hay, and for rabbits with soft droppings until they are back to normal.
What to offer instead
Fennel is a close cousin and a better daily green. Courgette and cucumber are other crunchy extras. Our safe food list for rabbits, rabbit diet guide and rabbit care guide cover the rest.
Celery and rabbits: questions
Can rabbits eat celery leaves?
Yes. VetPartners lists both celery stalks and leaves as suitable for rabbits. The leaves are softer and leafier than the stalk, so they make a good part of the mixed greens. Wash them well, as soil collects at the base of the stalks.
Do I need to remove the strings from celery?
You do not need to peel it, but cut the stalk across into short pieces about 2 to 3 cm (1 in) long. That keeps the long strings short. Long strings are a common worry among owners, and short pieces are an easy way to avoid them.
Can rabbits eat celeriac?
Yes, a little. The Rabbit Welfare Association lists celeriac among its root vegetables. As a root it is denser and a little sweeter than celery stalk, so a small cube about 1 cm (1/2 in) across once or twice a week is enough.
Is celery good for a rabbit's teeth?
It adds some chewing, but hay is what keeps a rabbit's teeth worn down. Celery is a useful crunchy extra, not a dental plan. Unlimited good hay or grass should make up most of what a rabbit eats every day.
