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Is Lacinato Kale toxic to cats?

Brassica oleracea var. palmifolia 'Lacinato'

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lacinato 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. Garden kale (Brassica oleracea) is not individually listed by the ASPCA and is generally non-toxic to dogs, but it contains N-propyl disulfide and thiocyanate/isothiocyanate compounds that can cause Heinz-body hemolytic anemia in cats and gastrointestinal irritation with repeated or large feeding. Treat as cat-unsafe in quantity and verify any deliberate feeding with a vet.

What to do if your cat ate lacinato kale

  1. Remove any plant material from your cat's mouth and move lacinato 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 lacinato kale to the appointment so it can be treated correctly.

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

Is lacinato kale toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is lacinato kale toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists lacinato 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. Garden kale (Brassica oleracea) is not individually listed by the ASPCA and is generally non-toxic to dogs, but it contains N-propyl disulfide and thiocyanate/isothiocyanate compounds that can cause Heinz-body hemolytic anemia in cats and gastrointestinal irritation with repeated or large feeding. Treat as cat-unsafe in quantity and verify any deliberate feeding with a vet.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats lacinato kale?

Garden kale (Brassica oleracea) is not individually listed by the ASPCA and is generally non-toxic to dogs, but it contains N-propyl disulfide and thiocyanate/isothiocyanate compounds that can cause Heinz-body hemolytic anemia in cats and gastrointestinal irritation with repeated or large feeding. Treat as cat-unsafe in quantity and verify any deliberate feeding with a vet. 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 lacinato kale.

What should I do if my cat ate lacinato 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 lacinato kale toxic to dogs too?

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to lacinato 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 lacinato kale pet-safety