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Pet safety

Is Tender and True Parsnip toxic to cats?

Pastinaca sativa

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tender and true parsnip 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. Pastinaca sativa is not listed by the ASPCA. Parsnip foliage and sap contain furanocoumarins (psoralen) that cause phototoxic skin burns in humans when skin contacts sap under sunlight; handling risk for pets is low but ingestion of large quantities of raw root could cause mild gastrointestinal irritation. Grown edible root is considered safe for people and low-risk for most pets.

What to do if your cat ate tender and true parsnip

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move tender and true parsnip 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 tender and true parsnip to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is tender and true parsnip toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is tender and true parsnip toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists tender and true parsnip 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. Pastinaca sativa is not listed by the ASPCA. Parsnip foliage and sap contain furanocoumarins (psoralen) that cause phototoxic skin burns in humans when skin contacts sap under sunlight; handling risk for pets is low but ingestion of large quantities of raw root could cause mild gastrointestinal irritation. Grown edible root is considered safe for people and low-risk for most pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats tender and true parsnip?

Pastinaca sativa is not listed by the ASPCA. Parsnip foliage and sap contain furanocoumarins (psoralen) that cause phototoxic skin burns in humans when skin contacts sap under sunlight; handling risk for pets is low but ingestion of large quantities of raw root could cause mild gastrointestinal irritation. Grown edible root is considered safe for people and low-risk for most pets. 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 tender and true parsnip.

What should I do if my cat ate tender and true parsnip?

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 tender and true parsnip toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Tender and True Parsnip is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full tender and true parsnip pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to tender and true parsnip?

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 tender and true parsnip pet-safety