Parsley: Can dogs eat it?

Can dogs eat parsley? Yes, dogs can eat some types of parsley. 

There are a variety of superfoods available that offer plenty of vitamins and minerals for dogs. These should be offered as part of a wider, more varied diet. 

Food, such as parsley, can then be offered as a way of giving them a little extra nutritional boost. Let’s look at the array of benefits that parsley has and see how you can add it to your dog’s diet.

Table of Contents

What is parsley?

Parsley is a flowering plant that is part of the Apiaceae family and is used as a herb across many cuisines. 

Parsley is used throughout Europe, as well as in Middle Eastern, American, and Asian recipes. Parsley can be used as a garnish or used to add flavor to a dish.

What types of parsley can dogs eat?

There are different types of parsley, with only curly parsley being safe for dogs to ingest

Regular parsley such as Flat leaf, Japanese, Italian, Spring and Hamburg parsley should be avoided as they contain toxins that are dangerous for dogs to consume. 

If parsley, other than curly parsley is ingested, it can cause health problems such as:

Can dogs eat curly parsely?

Yes, curly parsley can be eaten by dogs. Curly parsley could be described as a ‘superfood’ as it offers a variety of vitamins and minerals that a dog can benefit from. 

Curly parsley should only be used as an addition to a dog’s diet, as their usual dog food should give them all of the essential nutrients that they need in order to function correctly. 

Curly parsley can offer a variety of benefits to a dog’s diet, including:

Can dogs eat parsley flakes?

Parsley flakes, also known as dried parsley, can be fed to dogs if has come from the curly parsley variety.

Dried parsley could be sprinkled onto the food or, alternatively, it can be placed in water and turned into a tea for the dog to drink. 

Fresh curly parsley could also be blended and mixed with water. On hot days, this mixture could be frozen and offered to your pooch as a tasty and nutrient-rich ice lolly!

How much parsley can dogs eat?

Although curly parsley is relatively safe for your dog to eat, you should control how much parsley is ingested. As a general rule, around 1 teaspoon of fresh or dried curly parsley can be offered per 20 pounds (around 9kg) of body weight. Suggested reading: How many treats can my dog have a day?

How to serve parsley to dogs?

Some dogs may be reluctant to eat curly parsley, whereas others may show no hesitation at all – we’re looking at the greedy labradors out there! 

Curly parsley has a mild flavor, so unless your dog is particularly fussy, they should eat it without any problems.

The easiest way to offer fresh curly parsley to your canine companion’s diet would be to garnish their usual food with the leaves. Alternatively, chop the curly parsley into small pieces and mix it into their breakfast or dinner.

There are plenty of recipes for dog-friendly treats and diets that contain curly parsley across the internet. Just ensure that they are from trustworthy sources and only contain ingredients that are not toxic to dogs, such as onions and garlic.

If it turns out that your pooch is not the biggest fan of parsley, then that’s okay! Parsley is not the only ingredient that offers additional vitamins and minerals that can be added to your dog’s diet.

Suggested reading: Can dogs eat spam? Can dogs eat artichokes? Can dogs have cinnamon? Can dogs have maple syrup? Can dogs eat cilantro? Can dogs eat Cheerios? Can dogs eat pancakes? Can dogs eat Oreos? Can dogs eat prunes? Can dogs eat crab? 

Can dogs eat food containing parsley?

Most foods that contain parsley are likely to be made for human consumption. Always proceed cautiously when offering human foods unless you know what exact ingredients are within the food and are sure that the parsley is the curly parsley species.

Constant ingestion of human foods can put your dog at risk of potential health problems including:

  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive issues
  • Constipation
  • Food intolerances
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Heart disease

Always offer your dog a well-balanced and nutrient-rich dog food. If you are unsure of what dog food brand to feed your dog, speak with your veterinary practice who can recommend a food for you.

There are some ‘human foods’ which you can offer to your dog along with curly parsley. These should not be given routinely and should only be offered as a treat. Ideas include:

Fish and curly parsley
Rice and curly parsley (Good if your dog is suffering with a gastro-intestinal upset)
Chicken and curly parsley
Turkey and curly parsley
Ground beef and curly parsley

Dog superfoods

Curly parsley could be seen as a dog superfood, due to its beneficial properties. Superfoods are exceptionally rich in vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to a dog’s overall health. 

Other types of dog superfood ingredients include:

  • Blueberries: Containing high levels of antioxidants, as well as acting as a natural anti-inflammatory and having an abundance of vitamins and minerals, blueberries offer a fantastic array of benefits for your dog. 
  • Carrots: Carrots offer plenty of benefits for your dog, including supporting eye health, aiding in immune system function and improving your dogs coat and skin condition. Carrots are also great for your dog’s teeth due to how crunchy they are!
  • Turmeric: A component of turmeric called curcumin is the secret to its superfood profile. Turmeric can act as a natural anti-inflammatory, helping with conditions such as arthritis. Turmeric has also been used to help with diseases such as cancer, liver disease and gastro-intestinal upset.
  • Watermelon: Watermelon sure is delicious and our canine friends seem to think so too! Watermelon is a fantastic source of Vitamins A, B and C as well as containing high levels of potassium and magnesium. Just be sure to remove the outer rind of the watermelon and the seeds, as these could cause a blockage.

Final thoughts on parsley

By offering curly parsley as part of your dog’s diet, you are enabling them to ingest an extra source of beneficial vitamins and minerals. 

Curly parsley has an array of health benefits from acting as a digestive aid to being a natural anti-inflammatory. Curly parsley may help with conditions such as arthritis or settling a gastrointestinal upset.

Always be sure to check which type of parsley you are offering to your dog. Curly parsley is the safest option as other types, such as flat-leaf parsley, can be toxic to dogs. 

If too much curly parsley is ingested by your dog, it may be possible for parsley poisoning to occur. Only offer your dog small amounts of curly parsley and avoid offering it daily. 

Curly parsley is one of many dog superfoods that are available, so ensure to offer your dog plenty of variation when it comes to adding in beneficial ingredients to your dog’s diet.

Suggested reading: Can dogs eat beets? Can dogs eat Olives? Can dogs eat basil? Can dogs eat papaya? Can dogs eat okra? Can dogs eat seaweed? Can dogs eat pepperoni? Can dogs eat potato skins? 

 

Leave a Comment