Parsley For a Pet Dog? How To Feed This Healthy Herb!

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Are you wondering if it makes sense for your dog to eat parsley?

You are not alone! It’s a tempting idea considering the nutrients including vitamin A, C, folic acid and even antioxidants.

Can I Give My Dog Parsley?You’ll be happy to hear that fresh parsley is fine. In fact, it’ll be beneficial for all sorts of reasons.

Adding parsley to your dog’s diet is smart!

Actually the trend is to incorporate this healthy herb into quality dog treats (which we’ll point you to in a moment).

Feed Your Dog Curly Parsley

The ASPCA claims that both Hamburg and Italian parsley are toxic, but really this is only true in large amounts.

Play it safe!

Be choosy and don’t get carried away. Share responsibility and there are, in fact, benefits to be had.

Keep reading to learn exactly how…

Play It Safe With Parsley

Out of an abundance of caution, only feed your dog the curly kind.

Avoid other varieties. Thankfully doing so is fairly easy since curly parsley is the most common type anyway.

More importantly…

Parsley is off limits to pregnant dogs because it may cause muscle contractions. And canines with kidney problems also shouldn’t partake due to a possibility of excess bleeding.

Recommendation: Chicken-flavored biscuits with parsley flakes will be great for your dog’s teeth and also freshen their breath.

Amazing Health Attributes

While not advisable for dogs with existing kidney problems, parsley is actually great for keeping the kidneys healthy.

It is generally cleansing for the organs and may help to prevent disease.

And parsley’s anti-inflammatory properties could reduce arthritis and swelling.

Other health benefits for dogs include itch-relief properties, help for indigestion, cystitis and even heart problems.

What a super herb!

Perfect Parsley Preparation

Fresh and finely chopped, mixed in with your dog’s meals, 1 or 2 times weekly is the way to go.

Cut the ends of the stems and keep the leaves dry. Add an inch of water — enough to soak the ends.

Keep your parsley fresh by covering up leftovers and storing them in your refrigerator.

Check the water periodically. Unused parsley lasts 2 weeks or longer. Your dog will be waiting!

It’s Fantastic For Bad Breath

As you know, poor dental health will result in bad doggie breath. Gum disease, plaque and tartar buildup makes matters worse.

Add fresh parsley to your dog’s meals as a way to treat bad breath!

Of course, it is also very important to brush your animal’s teeth at least 2 times weekly.

A Few Healthy Herbs For Dogs

Other herbs, in addition to parsley, can also have health benefits.

Alfalfa, oregano and basil also alleviate arthritis and possibly prevent cancer.

Ginger is another superb herb that improves blood circulation, relieves pain and reduces gastrointestinal problems.

The Bottom Line

Adding parsley to your dog’s diet is an excellent idea.

You can simply mix some in with their regular food. The common, curly variety is safest.

Serve it sparingly.

Pregnant dogs, or those with kidney dysfunction, should not be fed any parsley.

Dog treats that contain this herb are a great way to reward!

What Do You Think? Have Your Say Below…

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11 thoughts on “Parsley For a Pet Dog? How To Feed This Healthy Herb!”

  1. My dog wasn’t very keen on eating parsley, but when we added a bit of yoghurt on top it was down the hatch in 5 seconds. He will eat practically anything!

  2. How much weekly for 60 pound dog?

  3. My dog occasionally chomps happily on the parsley in my courtyard. He used to eat grass sometimes, but now prefers parsley.

  4. I provide my dog parsley, a small amount chopped fine. I also give him pills so he won’t eat his poop. They contain parsley. The pills are very expensive. I’m hoping the parsley will deter him. So far it hasn’t and neither has the pills.

  5. Is it safe to use Italian parsley for dogs? I made some dog biscuits, for fresh breath, with mint and parsley. But I only had the Italian type, not the regular curly variety. Is this okay?

    1. This article and others I’ve read say no to Italian parsley, that it is toxic though probably only in large amounts. Curly only!

  6. Clothesminded says:

    According to what I’ve read regarding parsley tea for humans, it dissolves calcium oxalate stones.

    I’ve had my dog with a bladder stone drinking chicken soup broth to which I’ve added an entire cut up bunch of parsley. Also dill, sage, rosemary and bay leaf. He’s also on the Science Diet food, which he hates, for the past week.

    He isn’t urinating as frequently. I will have him checked next week to determine whether or not the stone is still there. I will post another comment.

  7. My female Springer Spaniel was spayed at a young age. At age 3 she developed incontinence, dripping during the day and total bladder emptying when asleep. The vet put her on Proin, but after a year she developed crystals in her front paws which were causing pain and she was having repeated urinary infections.

    I stopped the Proin after a year because I felt it might be causing the gout-like crystals and started her on finely chopped curly parsley (do not use Italian or cilantro) and raw honey, 1/2 teaspoon of each every morning in her food.

    The honey helps with hormones and the parsley is suppose to have diuretic properties. She is now 10 1/2 and hasn’t had any infections and has not been incontinent at all. My vet thinks it’s odd, but he can’t argue with the results.

  8. Is dried parsley okay to use instead of fresh parsley?

  9. A bit confused. The ASPCA states all Apiaceae species, which includes parsley, is toxic to dogs.

  10. Parsley has very high-oxalate (Oxalic Acid) content and is best avoided by dogs prone to calcium oxalate stones (kidney and bladder stones).

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