Parsley
CautionThe ASPCA lists parsley as toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is furanocoumarins and the sign is photosensitization -- sunburn-like dermatitis -- not stomach upset. Large quantities are required, so a garnish sprig is rarely a problem.
This food guide has not been reviewed by a veterinarian. It summarises general information from sources and should not be used to decide whether a food is suitable for an individual dog or to assess an emergency.
Check before feeding
Check the precautions before sharing
Risk depends on preparation, ingredients or amount. Read the precautions below; body weight alone cannot establish a safe portion.
Signs and health concerns
This list includes both observable signs and conditions identified through examination or testing. It cannot establish the cause or whether an exposure is safe.
- Photosensitivity-related skin damage
- Skin inflammation
- Itching
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Increased urine volume
More about this food
Parsley gets recommended for dog breath constantly, but the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center classifies it differently. Petroselinum crispum -- curly parsley, Italian parsley, Hamburg parsley -- is listed as toxic to dogs. The toxic principle is furanocoumarins, and the clinical sign is not GI upset but photosensitization: sunburn and dermatitis. The ASPCA notes that large quantities are required to trigger it.
Furanocoumarins do not damage skin on their own. Once absorbed and circulating to the skin, they react when ultraviolet light hits them, and that reaction injures the cells. So the problem after a big parsley binge is the next walk in the sun. Thinly haired, lightly pigmented areas go first: the bridge of the nose, ear tips, the skin around the eyes, the belly and groin. They redden, swell, and in bad cases blister or peel. The reaction appears hours to about a day after sun exposure. White-coated, pink-skinned dogs and dogs who sunbathe belly-up are the most vulnerable.
Spring parsley (Cymopterus watsonii), a different plant that shares the name, is also on the ASPCA list with the same furanocoumarins and the same photosensitization. It grows wild across parts of the western United States, so it is worth recognizing on a hike rather than assuming the name means safe.
Parsley is also a diuretic. If your dog is on cardiac or renal medication and a prescription diet, adding herbs can work against that plan, so ask your veterinarian first. It is also not established as safe in pregnancy, so skip it there.
Size up the amount before you act. A garnish sprig off a plate or chopped parsley on pasta usually passes without incident -- fresh water and ordinary observation. A dog who ate a handful out of a garden pot should stay out of midday sun that day and get a call to your veterinarian, the ASPCA APCC at (888) 426-4435, or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. If skin turns red and tender or blisters appear, that is a clinic visit, not a watch-and-wait. Do not induce vomiting at home.
Frequently asked questions
- He ate the parsley garnish off my plate.
- One sprig is very unlikely to cause trouble. The ASPCA itself notes that photosensitization takes large quantities. Leave fresh water out and keep an eye on the skin that day, plus the usual watch for vomiting or diarrhea.
- Is parsley good for dog breath?
- Not worth it. The ASPCA lists parsley as toxic to dogs, and bad breath is nearly always tartar and periodontal disease, which an herb will not fix. Have the teeth and gums evaluated instead.
- He raided the parsley in the herb garden. What am I watching for?
- Keep him out of strong sun that day and call your vet. Over the next several hours to a day, check the bridge of the nose, ear tips, skin around the eyes and the belly for redness, swelling or tenderness, and note if he starts rubbing or scratching those spots.