While you might be most familiar with Parsley as “that plant” on your plate of eggs at breakfast, parsley is, in fact, an herb that delivers fabulous health benefits to your pet.
Scientifically speaking, parsley is a species of Petroselinum in the family Apiaceae. It’s native to the Mediterranean region and widely considered an herb, spice, and vegetable. You can find parsley at the grocery store in both the curly and flat-leafed varieties, however curly is the preferred variety for giving to pets.
Is Parsley Good For My Pet?Parsley isn’t just good for your pet, it’s a superlative super-herb! Parsley delivers a variety of health benefits to your pet.
Parsley is rich in a variety of important vitamins and minerals for your pet. Parsley is a natural source of Vitamin C, A, and K. Vitamin C helps to provide immune support. Vitamin A is important for the development of your pet’s vision and immune health. Parsley is one of the best natural sources of Vitamin K you can give to your pet. Vitamin K helps maintain a healthy blood clotting system and promotes liver health.
Parsley is also rich in folic acids and antioxidants. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help promote good kidney health and antimicrobial properties that promote good urinary health. See what we mean? Super-herb! While the curly-leafed variety of parsley is good for your pet, the ASPCA considers ‘Spring Parsley’ to be toxic in large amounts. Parsley is high in fiber and a diuretic, meaning it helps the body flush out fluids and move foods through the digestive tract. If your dog has kidney problems, you might want to avoid parsley.
While the curly-leafed variety of parsley is good for your pet, the ASPCA considers ‘Spring Parsley’ to be toxic in large amounts. Parsley is high in fiber and a diuretic, meaning it helps the body flush out fluids and move foods through the digestive tract. If your dog has kidney problems, you might want to avoid this ingredient.
How Do I Give My Pet Parsley?With any food or treat, moderation is key. As we previously mentioned, parsley is a diuretic, so make sure to give your dog raw parsley sparingly. If you don’t want to sprinkle raw parsley on your dog’s meals, you can find many dog treats, chews and food made with parsley. Many dental dog treats are made with parsley as it has antimicrobial properties and can help to freshen breath.
