Spring Parsley — (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Photo by (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)iNaturalistCC BY-SA
dog safety reference

Is Spring Parsley safe for dogs?

Cymopterus watsonii

Spring Parsley is a low-growing perennial herb native to the western United States, often found in rocky, arid environments. It is considered toxic to pets if ingested and should be kept out of reach.

Cymopterus watsoniiSpring ParsleyWatson's spring parsley
Light
Full sun to partial shade
Habit
Low-growing herbaceous perennial
Care
Low

Safety status

Dogs

Potentially toxic

Consulted references classify the plant as toxic or irritating for that pet type.

Verified against ASPCA/provenance audit 2026-05-06 on May 6, 2026.

What this means for your dog

Dogs: most likely encountered on rangeland walks rather than indoors. ASPCA identifies furanocoumarins as the toxic principle, and the typical injury is photosensitization — the dog's skin and eyes become sunburned where pigment is light or fur is thin.

What to watch for

ASPCA reports photosensitization manifesting as sunburn and dermatitis. Watch for redness, swelling, blistering, or peeling on the muzzle, ears, eyelids, and belly after possible exposure.

Time window

Specific onset and recovery durations are not documented in the ASPCA listing.

When to call the vet

Call if you see any sunburn-like skin reaction, blistering, or progression of symptoms rather than improvement after possible exposure.

Sources: ASPCA (no first-aid guidance).

If a pet has chewed or swallowed plant material and is showing symptoms, contact a veterinarian or poison resource immediately. This product is for structured reference, not diagnosis.

Dogsconcern notes

Common signs

Vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and drooling.

Escalation note

Ingestion may lead to digestive upset. If your dog has ingested any part of this plant, consult your veterinarian for professional guidance.

Safer alternatives

No hand-picked alternatives for this plant yet. You can still pick your own using the Compare button on any other plant.

Source evidence

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

toxicology · 99% reliability

Open source

Spring Parsley (Cymopterus watsonii) is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs.

Kew Plants of the World Online

botanical · 95% reliability

Open source

Accepted botanical name and distribution data for Cymopterus watsonii.

Cats & dogs pagecats pageMy dog ate Spring Parsley

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