Belonging to the carrot, parsley or celery family, Petroselinum crispum is a biennial flowering plant native to Mediterranean areas. It is used in flavoring and garnishing various dishes where its curly, deep green leaves are used.
However, there is a cultivar used as both as a root vegetable as well as in flavoring some kinds of cooking, i.e., the turnip-rooted or Hamburg parsley.
Can dogs eat parsley
According to ASPCA, dogs should not eat parsley, also known as Italian, Garden parsley as it is toxic. Excessive consumption will result in photosensitization (that increases the risk of sunburn and dermatitis) since it has furanocoumarins whose potency increases with exposure to UV radiation.
Research has shown indeed that this herb has hematotoxin furanocoumarins and some of the symptoms of this poisoning are ulcerative and exudative dermatitis as well as ocular toxicity.
Diagnosis and treatment of this poisoning
Besides inquiring about your animal’s history, your vet may conduct physical exams including skin scraping, as well as lab work including blood chemistry profile, complete blood count, urinalysis among other tests o check for toxicity.
Treatment is by induced vomiting, use of activated charcoal to decontaminate gastrointestinal tract as well as topical creams to enhance healing, calm itchiness, and so on.
Some vet note parsley is good for dogs
Contrary to what ASPCA notes, many vets are of the opinion that parsley is safe in moderation citing the spring parsley (Cymopterus watsonii) as the toxic one.
Besides the various nutrients it has including vitamin A, K, potassium, folic acid, dietary fiber, and so on, it is a source of powerful antioxidants including carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamin C.
Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, carminative properties besides being a diuretic herb (will encourage more urination). Some of the benefits your dog may have include:
- Parsley for dog breath – This herb helps in making your canine friend’s breath fresh just like other herbs such as mint, peppermint, and so on. Its antimicrobial properties will keep oral bacteria that contribute to bad odor at bay. The famous Dingo DN-99158 Dental spiral for pets has this herb.
- GI benefits – It will soothe the stomach and help improve digestion, reduce flatulence, indigestion, and colic.
- For arthritis and itch relief – Having anti-inflammatory properties, it can also help prevent arthritis as well as swelling and itching. Also, it has vitamin K which will also help in the case of rheumatoid arthritis as well as helps in blood clotting.
- For UTIs– It fights UTIs since it has antiseptic properties besides increasing urination. This will flush out bacteria-causing UTIs and help with some types of kidney stones.
- Fighting cancer – Some of the antioxidants it has can help fight some cancer forms.
- For incontinence – It is useful in strengthening urinary tract mucous membranes in old dogs that are given this herb’s tea.
Other uses include calming pain after a bee sting and helping in preventing anemia.[1]
However, as Rover.com notes, do not give this herb to your pregnant dog as it will stimulate their uterus or if she has kidney failure or problems.
How to give it to your pooch
Some of the ways to feed this herb to your dog include adding it to homemade foods, chopping and sprinkling dried or fresh parsley leaves on their food, brewing parsley tea, making a bowl of soup, and so on.
The amounts given may also vary depending on what it is being used for. For instance, for arthritis, 1-2ml tincture for a doing weigh 30 pounds is enough. You can add it to water.
On the other hand, if you are using it for urinary problems, consider juicing it. Dosages will be about a half a teaspoon for every 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight.
Otherwise, give them only a small amount, about a teaspoon of chopped leaves once or twice a week. Also, store any leftover and limit access to your garden if you cultivate this herb.