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Pet safety

Is Kale toxic to cats?

Brassica oleracea var. sabellica

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists kale as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. This classification follows the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List. ASPCA lists Brassica species as toxic to cats, dogs, and especially horses in quantity. Small amounts of cooked kale are widely fed to dogs without issue; large raw amounts can cause GI upset and goitrogen issues over time.

What to do if your cat ate kale

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move kale out of reach.
  2. Note how much was eaten and when, and watch for drooling, vomiting, or lethargy.
  3. Do not induce vomiting unless a vet or poison-control specialist instructs you to.
  4. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice.
  5. Bring a leaf or photo of kale to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

General guidance, not veterinary advice. If you think your cat has eaten kale, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 — do not wait for symptoms to worsen.

Is kale toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is kale toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists kale as mildly toxic to cats — a chewing cat typically gets mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting rather than a medical emergency, but it is still best kept out of reach. ASPCA lists Brassica species as toxic to cats, dogs, and especially horses in quantity. Small amounts of cooked kale are widely fed to dogs without issue; large raw amounts can cause GI upset and goitrogen issues over time.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats kale?

ASPCA lists Brassica species as toxic to cats, dogs, and especially horses in quantity. Small amounts of cooked kale are widely fed to dogs without issue; large raw amounts can cause GI upset and goitrogen issues over time. Signs usually appear soon after chewing rather than hours later — watch for drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, loss of appetite, or unusual lethargy after your cat has had access to kale.

What should I do if my cat ate kale?

Stay calm. Remove any plant from your cat's mouth and take the plant away. Note how much was eaten and when, and do not induce vomiting unless told to. Call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 and follow their advice; a leaf or photo helps the vet treat it correctly.

Is kale toxic to dogs too?

The ASPCA classification Growli uses applies to both cats and dogs: Kale is mildly toxic to dogs as well. See the full kale pet-safety guide for both species.

What is a cat-safe alternative to kale?

For a similar look without the risk, see the best cats-safe plants list — every plant there is ASPCA non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Full kale pet-safety