What should I do if my cat ate Parsley?

Remove any remaining parsley from reach, rinse the mouth gently with water, and limit your cat's sun exposure for the next 24-48 hours if you're concerned about photosensitization. Do not induce vomiting at home — Pet Poison Helpline cautions against unsupervised home emesis. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if your cat ate a substantial amount of fresh parsley, or if you see persistent skin redness, blistering, or signs of pain in the day or two after exposure. A small chew of garnish-sized parsley typically doesn't require an emergency call.

Parsley — (c) Vítor Jorge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vítor Jorge — Photo by (c) Vítor Jorge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vítor JorgeiNaturalistCC BY

Photo by (c) Vítor Jorge, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Vítor JorgeiNaturalistCC BY

cat safety reference

Is Parsley safe for cats?

Q: Is Parsley safe for cats?

Parsley is potentially toxic to cats. Symptoms are generally mild but can be uncomfortable; contact your veterinarian if your cat shows signs of skin sensitivity or digestive distress.

Petroselinum crispum

Parsley is a popular culinary herb that contains furanocoumarins and psoralens, which can cause photosensitivity in pets if ingested in large quantities. While commonly used in human cooking, it is considered toxic to both cats and dogs.

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Curly ParsleyGarden ParsleyParsleyPetroselinum crispum

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Habit: Herbaceous biennial
Care: Moderate

Safety status

Cats

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.

Sources

ASPCA Toxic Plant List

What this means for your cat

Parsley is on the ASPCA's toxic list for cats, but the practical risk is fairly mild. The furanocoumarins it contains can cause photosensitization (sunburn-like skin reactions and dermatitis), but this generally only happens after a cat eats a substantial amount.

What to watch for

Watch for skin redness, irritation, or sunburn-like patches — especially on lightly furred areas (ear tips, nose, belly) after sun exposure. Mild GI upset (drool, soft stool, brief vomiting) is also possible after a larger nibble.

Time window

Skin reactions can develop after sun exposure in the day(s) following a large ingestion; specific timing isn't well documented in the ASPCA listing.

When to call the vet

Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control (888-426-4435) if your cat ate a substantial amount of fresh parsley, or if you see persistent skin redness, blistering, or signs of pain in the day or two after exposure. A small chew of garnish-sized parsley typically doesn't require an emergency call.

First aid at home

Remove any remaining parsley from reach, rinse the mouth gently with water, and limit your cat's sun exposure for the next 24-48 hours if you're concerned about photosensitization. Do not induce vomiting at home — Pet Poison Helpline cautions against unsupervised home emesis.

Sources: ASPCA, Pet Poison Helpline.

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.

Cats — concern notes

Common signs

Dermatitis, photosensitivity, and potential skin irritation upon contact or ingestion.

Escalation note

Symptoms are generally mild but can be uncomfortable; contact your veterinarian if your cat shows signs of skin sensitivity or digestive distress.

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

Parsley is listed as toxic to dogs and cats due to the presence of furanocoumarins.

NC State Extension Plant Toolbox

botanical · 94% reliability

Open source

Petroselinum crispum is a biennial herb widely cultivated for its leaves, but it is noted for potential toxicity in pets.

Cats & dogs page dogs page My cat ate Parsley

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