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Pet safety

Is Parsley toxic to cats?

Petroselinum crispum

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists parsley as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists parsley as toxic to cats, dogs, and especially birds when eaten in large quantities, due to furanocoumarins. Culinary amounts are not a concern; concentrated essential oil or grazing on a whole plant is.

What to do if your cat ate parsley

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move parsley out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of parsley to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten parsley, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is parsley toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is parsley toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists parsley as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. ASPCA lists parsley as toxic to cats, dogs, and especially birds when eaten in large quantities, due to furanocoumarins. Culinary amounts are not a concern; concentrated essential oil or grazing on a whole plant is.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats parsley?

ASPCA lists parsley as toxic to cats, dogs, and especially birds when eaten in large quantities, due to furanocoumarins. Culinary amounts are not a concern; concentrated essential oil or grazing on a whole plant is. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to parsley.

What should I do if my cat ate parsley?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is parsley toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Parsley is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full parsley pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to parsley?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full parsley pet-safety