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:
- Renal disease (Kidney disease): Excessive amounts of parsley can increase damage to dogs that already have renal disease. Parsley has high levels of fiber, as well as diuretic properties. Diuretics increase the amount of urine produced by the kidneys, therefore parsley may put too much pressure on kidneys that are already damaged.
- Dermatitis (Inflammation of the skin): If a large volume of parsley is consumed, dermatitis can occur. Symptoms include red skin, excessive itching and hair loss.
- Blindness: Parsley can contain high levels of furanocoumarins. This toxic compound has been shown to cause blindness in dogs if ingested in large amounts over a prolonged period of time.
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:
- Vitamin C: Having a variety of different supportive roles within the body, Vitamin C can help to reduce the risk of cancers, aids in healthy development of bones and skin as well as preventing the formation of bladder stones.
- Vitamin A: This is an essential vitamin that dogs need as part of their diet. Vitamin A helps with maintaining healthy skin, producing a beautiful shine to your dogs coat and supports muscle and nerve functions.
- Vitamin K: Curly parsley is one of the highest concentrations of naturally occurring Vitamin K. This is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for the blood to clot correctly.
A lack of Vitamin K can cause symptoms such as bruising, excessive bleeding, and pale mucous membranes (gums). - Anti-inflammatory properties: Natural anti-inflammatories such as curly parsley can help with conditions such as arthritis and joint problems.
- Anti-oxidants: Curly parsley can act as a natural antioxidant, helping to protect cells within the body from damage.
- Digestive aid: Acting as a digestive aid, similar to basil and cilantro, curly parsley can help to promote healthy gut bacteria as well as stimulating digestive enzymes.
If your dog is suffering from vomiting or diarrhea, a small amount of curly parsley may be beneficial to offer to your dog. - Dog breath: It has been shown that curly parsley can help with the lovely smell of dog breath! If you notice that your dog has bad breath, then you could try offering them some curly parsley.
Keep in mind that bad breath could also be a sign of anal gland problems, dental disease, or a possible infection, so always seek veterinary advice if the problem does not resolve.
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?
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.
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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.
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