Is Parsley Good for Dogs?

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Parsley is one of those veggies we use as an ingredient and as garnish. Some of us confuse it with cilantro, but there are differences between the two plants. Since you’re a dog owner and looking for this specific topic, we can say you have made an excellent decision to find out if something is good for your dog prior to giving it to them. The shortest possible answer to the question, “Can dogs eat parsley?” is - yes. However, some rules and guidelines apply. Here’s what our nutritional experts would like you to know before you decide to give your dog parsley.

Is parsley safe for dogs?

Yes, parsley is safe for dogs. However, to be entirely sure, give your dog only the curly kind. There are different varieties of parsley you can get. Still, dogs really shouldn’t eat any other kind, only the curly kind. The good news is that the curly kind of parsley is the most common type, so you should be pretty safe. In fact, parsley can be very beneficial for dogs.

Benefits of parsley for dogs

Fruits and veggies offer us many health benefits, and parsley is no different. In fact, it is considered a superfood. Keep that in mind when you go out to eat, and the restaurant uses parsley as garnish; it might be worth eating the garnish. Your immune system will get a boost, and you should include this ingredient more often in your diet.

The same is true for your dog. Parsley can be a fantastic ingredient, and the dog will reap some health benefits. Parsley contains healthy nutrients and has a specific effect on inflammation. Here are some of the best things parsley can offer our dogs;

Anti-inflammatory properties

While parsley won’t heal inflammation from arthritis or infection, it might help with the dog’s itching problem. It contains natural oils that will affect the dog’s itching issues and make them less intense. It also has mild antimicrobial and carminative benefits.

Vitamin A

Parsley is packed with vitamin A. This vitamin will boost the dog’s immune system, help their vision, and is vital for keeping the dog healthy and its organ systems running smoothly.

Folic acid

Parsley will give your dog a punch of folic acid. This acid helps your dog’s body create healthy, oxygen-carrying red blood cells. If the dog doesn’t receive enough folic acid from their food, it can lead to anemia and lethargy.

Antioxidants

The effect of antioxidants on humans is widely known. They help protect us against cancer-causing free radicals. Antioxidants have the same effect on dogs. You should definitely include parsley in your dog’s food, especially if you have a senior dog at home.

Essential minerals

Our dog’s body needs different types of essential minerals for a variety of body functions. Minerals help develop healthy bones, teeth, kidney and liver functions, blood cell formation, and many more essential body functions. Luckily, parsley contains iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

How can I include parsley in my dog’s diet?

There are different ways you could include parsley in your dog’s diet. However, the most popular way is - simply chop it and mix it with their usual kibble. You can also include it with other fruits or veggies, yogurt, or low-fat cottage cheese. Your dog will be happy you mixed things up and served them something they are not necessarily used to.

The second easy way is to include parsley in homemade dog treats. There are different recipes you can easily follow and make delicious dog treats for your dog. One of our favorite ones is homemade pumpkin dog treats. Not only are they tasty to dogs, but pumpkin packs a lot of fiber, which is crucial for healthy digestion.

VET TIP: One of the great effects parsley will have on your dog is - it will freshen the dog’s breath. Dogs’ oral hygiene is often overlooked, and dog owners fail to provide healthy oral care for their pets. You can use parsley to make your dog’s mouth smell better.

How much parsley can dogs eat?

This is the crucial part of every new ingredient you want to include in your dog’s diet. The main thing you should remember is portion control. In the case of parsley, too much of a good thing can become bad. If you decide to simply chop it up and mix it with your dog’s food, the amount you should aim for is one teaspoon per 20 pounds of the dog’s body weight. For example, you can give your 40-pound dog 2 teaspoons of parsley.

Can parsley be bad for dogs?

Unfortunately, parsley could potentially be harmful to dogs. It contains a specific compound called furanocoumarin, which is toxic to dogs in large amounts. However, if you keep your dog’s portions small and don’t feed them parsley more than 3 times a week, it should be fine. In that case, parsley will do a lot more good than bad. Plus, your dog would have to eat an insane amount of parsley to feel the bad effects.

In conclusion

Parsley can be good for dogs. There are different types of parsley, so make sure you only give your dog the curly kind. Keep the portions small and make sure you don’t feed your dog parsley more than 2 - 3 times a week. You can easily mix it in the dog’s usual food, and your dog will reap all the benefits parsley has to offer them. Make sure you don’t overfeed your dog on parsley because it contains furanocoumarin, which can be toxic in large amounts.

World Dog Finder team