If you have parsley as one of the herbs in your garden, you have probably tried and discovered the many wonderful benefits of the herb to your health. Besides helping in weight loss, parsley also helps in reducing bloating.
If you have a cat as your pet, you may have wondered if the herb also has some benefits to your cat.
Well, not to worry, by the end of this article, you are going to be well informed about the benefits of parsley for your cat.
Table of Contents
Can Cats Eat Parsley?
Cats can eat parsley but in moderation. Therefore, if your cat usually munches on the parsley in your garden, do not worry as the herb is safe.
Furthermore, the green herb has many benefits to your cat. One of these benefits is that it helps support the health of your cat’s urinary tract due to its infection-fighting and anti-fungal properties.
Parsley has high levels of folic acid, antioxidants, vitamins A, B-complex, C, and K as well as iron, calcium and potassium minerals.
Vitamin A is going to improve the vision and immunity of your cat, while vitamin K will help promote the health of the cat’s liver as well as its blood clotting system.
On the other hand, vitamin C will help improve your cat’s joint health. This is because Vitamin C, otherwise known as Ascorbic acid, promotes the maintenance as well as the production of collagen.
Collagen is a connective tissue that is going to help in the production of cartilage, an essential component to joint health. Also, vitamin C will help your cat maintain youthful collagen.
These benefits of parsley make it a crucial ingredient in most cats’ health supplements. However, as long as your cat is in perfect health, you do not have to worry about giving it the supplements since the premium food you serve your cat is going to take care of all its health needs.
Is Parsley Safe For Cats?
You might be asking yourself, is parsley toxic to cats?
No, parsley is not toxic to cats. However, parsley can be toxic to cats if taken in large amounts.
As mentioned earlier, there is no harm in your cat munching on parsley, but this should only occur in moderation. Given that cats are largely carnivorous, they are not going to chew on the green herb in large amounts. Therefore, that should not worry you.
ACPCA recommends that cats consume parsley in low amounts since the herb is highly toxic to cats when taking in large amounts. Therefore, even though the herb has wonderful benefits, you should never consider giving it to your cat as a food supplement.
Several research studies have shown that cats can suffer from seizures if they are fed large amounts of parsley. The cat may also suffer from photosensitization effects like sunburn and dermatitis when they consume parsley in large amounts.
To be on the safe side, it is best to consult your vet anytime you want to add supplements to your cat’s food.
The vet will inform you about the best supplement to give your cat so that you avoid giving your cat a supplement that has ingredients that can be toxic when taken in large quantities.
Whether the supplement is natural such as a parsley leaf or a manufactured one, always stay on the safe side by consulting your cat’s vet. This also includes the drugs you give to your cat. Also, follow the instruction given on the particular drug or supplement.
Last update on 2024-03-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
There are many ways of giving your cat parsley besides leaving it to munch on the parsley leaves in your garden. You can add a parsley leaf on its food; make parsley puree or parsley water.
Parsley Water For Cats
As mentioned above, one safe way of feeding your cat with parsley is by giving it parsley water. Parsley water is a mix of water and parsley.
Parsley water is very easy to prepare and has tons of benefits to your cat.
One of the benefits of the simple mixture is that it acts as a natural dewormer by helping in the eradication of parasitic worms.
Parsley water is one of the homemade remedies for parasitic worms like tape worms, roundworms and other types of worms.
Besides making your cat uncomfortable, parasitic worms can make your cat extremely sick. Therefore, you need to get rid of them as soon as you suspect that your cat may be having them. You can also prevent the worms by regularly giving your cat parsley water.
Homemade remedies like parsley water are much safer than commercially sold wormers because they are not chemically loaded. Hence, they are a safer option. This is why most cat owners prefer giving their cat parsley water instead of the commercial dewormers.
If you consistently give your cat parsley water in moderation, you will be eliminating the chances of your cat suffering from parasitic worms.
Parsley water is also beneficial to your cat if your cat is suffering from cystitis, a urinary tract ailment. The water is also crucial for the health of the cat’s kidney as it helps in preventing the formation of kidney stones or renal gravel.
? However, avoid giving your cat parsley water for a long period to avoid adverse effects. As mentioned above, large amounts of parsley are harmful to your cat, so maintain moderation at all times.
High levels of parsley can lead to liver and kidney problems as well as anemia. On that note, only give your cat a maximum of two teaspoons of the water three times per day. In case the particular problem persists or worsens, consult the veterinary as soon as possible.
How To Make Parsley Water
So, how do you make parsley water for a cat?
The procedure for making parsley water is as simple as ABC. It is like making tea. Parsley water is a form of tea’ for your cat.
To make parsley water, you will need one tablespoon of fresh parsley, and a cup of purified water or boiling distilled water.
- First, boil the one cup of water. As the water boils, cut down the parsley and then put it into a cup.
- Turn off the heat source and then pour the boiled water into the cup containing the parsley.
- Cover the cup and let it cool until the temperature goes down to room temperature.
- Drain off the water.
Alternatively, put a cup of water into a pan and then boil it. Add a single bunch of fresh parsley into the boiling water.
Turn off the stove, remove the pan from the stove, cover it, and let it sit for up to 4 hours.
Place back the pan on the stove and leave the tea’ to simmer for about an hour under the lowest heat. Turn off the stove, let the mixture cool down, and then drain the water.
? This means that you give your cat the tea for two weeks and then stop, wait for two weeks, and then give it for two weeks again. Stick to the dosage to avoid complications.
Store the unused portion of the tea’ in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. For use over a long time, store the tea’ in the ice cube trays in the freezer. However, it is advisable to prepare the mixture daily.
What About Pregnant, Nursing Cats and Felines with Kidney Disease?
If your cat is pregnant or is suffering from any kidney disease, do not give it parsley.
As for nursing felines, give them parsley in minimal portions, if at all. In these cases, it is safer to rid your garden of all parsley.
Why Does My Cat Like Parsley?
Just like humans, cats also have taste buds. Parsley has a characteristic taste and others that may attract cats to it.
The taste may be bitter, but your cat may still munch on the parsley every once in a while. Despite being carnivorous, cats also eat vegetation in small amounts.
Cats may also consume vegetation like parsley instinctively so they can get rid of the worms on their own. This is a popular veterinary belief.
? Therefore, if you find that your cat regularly munches on the parsley in your garden, take it to a vet because that may be an indication that the cat is suffering from something.
Another popular veterinary belief is that when they do eat plants, cats prefer plants with some odor. Parsley has a unique scent that cats love hence finds it easier to eat it than other plants.
Conclusion: Is Parsley OK for Cats to Eat?
Also, make sure you have a general discussion with your vet concerning herbs.
Stay on the safe side by always consulting your vet before you introduce any new food to your cat’s plate.
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