Basking

Can Russian Tortoises eat Parsley?

Agrionemys horsfieldii · Petroselinum crispum

Caution

Weekly at most

Specialist resource

Parsley has high oxalate content (1313mg/100g) which can bind calcium and contribute to urinary/renal issues with frequent feeding. Tortoise Trust advises limiting high-oxalate foods; occasional use alongside calcium-rich, low-oxalate staples is acceptable.

Feeding frequency

DailyWeeklyOccasionalNever
Caution

Weekly at most

HerbivoreVegetableLow oxalateNot toxic

The short answer

Parsley has high oxalate content (1313mg/100g) which can bind calcium and contribute to urinary/renal issues with frequent feeding. Tortoise Trust advises limiting high-oxalate foods; occasional use alongside calcium-rich, low-oxalate staples is acceptable.

Feeding it safely

How much / how often

Weekly at most

Backed by sources

Reviewed by basking_research · June 2026

Basking is here to help you learn — it isn't veterinary advice. For anything specific to your animal, talk to a qualified exotic-animal vet.

← All Russian Tortoise foods