Can cats eat Parsley?
Caution. Curly and flat-leaf parsley are non-toxic in small quantities, but large amounts can cause phototoxicity (sunburn-like skin reactions) and digestive upset. Spring parsley is different and is toxic.
Content compiled with reference to guidance from the Blue Cross, PDSA, Royal Veterinary College (RVC), Battersea, and Animal PoisonLine. This site does not provide veterinary advice — always consult a vet. Last reviewed: 27 September 2026.
Key facts
- Verdict: Caution — some risk involved. See the detail below before giving parsley to your cat.
- Category: Herb
- Onset: Signs can start 0–12 hours — see the full timeline below.
If your cat has eaten parsley
- For small amounts of standard parsley: monitor.
- For large ingestions or spring parsley: call your vet.
What's the full picture?
Standard kitchen parsley (Petroselinum crispum) is low-risk in trace amounts — a garnish left on a plate licked by a cat is not a problem.
Larger ingestions can cause photosensitivity, where the cat's skin (especially unpigmented areas) reacts to sunlight and develops redness or blistering. This is uncommon in indoor cats but has been reported in outdoor cats that grazed on parsley beds.
Spring parsley (Cymopterus watsonii) is a different plant and is listed as toxic in veterinary toxicology references. This is rarely grown in UK gardens but may appear in seed mixes.
Symptoms to watch for
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Questions owners ask
How much parsley is actually a problem for a cat?
A garnish sprig licked or nibbled from a plate is low-risk and not a concern. Photosensitivity — the more serious effect — has mainly been reported in outdoor cats that graze repeatedly on parsley beds over time, not from a single incidental taste, so ongoing access to a parsley patch matters more than a one-off exposure.
Is spring parsley the same plant as the parsley I have in my kitchen?
No, it's a different species entirely (Cymopterus watsonii) and is separately listed as toxic in veterinary references, distinct from the common culinary curly or flat-leaf parsley you'd buy at a UK supermarket. It's rarely grown deliberately in UK gardens but can appear in wildflower or foraged seed mixes, so it's worth checking the exact species if you're growing parsley from a mixed seed packet.
Is dried parsley used as a seasoning any different in risk to fresh parsley?
Not meaningfully — dried parsley is more concentrated by weight, but the amount used as a seasoning on a dish is still small enough that a lick or taste isn't a significant concern. The photosensitivity risk described for parsley relates mainly to sustained, repeated grazing on the fresh plant, not incidental seasoning exposure.
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Related
Sources referenced for this guidance
- Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) — UK clinical toxicology reference used by vets
- International Cat Care — feline-specific clinical guidance
- BSAVA — British Small Animal Veterinary Association reference materials
- Merck Veterinary Manual — professional veterinary reference
About this guidance
Every entry on this site is compiled from published UK veterinary toxicology sources — International Cat Care, Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) references, RCVS-registered practice materials, and peer-reviewed feline medicine literature. Where the evidence is mixed, we err on the cautious side because cats are unusually sensitive to many common substances that are harmless to humans and even to dogs.
This is general information written for UK cat owners. It is not personalised veterinary advice for your specific cat, their age, weight, medical history, or the exact exposure you're dealing with. If your cat has eaten something or is unwell, call your vet first. The Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 is available 24/7 for a small fee and can tell you whether an emergency visit is needed.
Entries are reviewed and updated as new research emerges. Spotted an error? Let us know — corrections are investigated and applied within 24 hours. For more context on how we work, see about and our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed: · By the What Can My Cat Eat? editorial team