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Is Walking Stick Kale toxic to cats?

Brassica oleracea var. longata

Mildly toxic to cats

Mildly. The ASPCA lists walking stick 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. As a Brassica oleracea kale, it 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 GI irritation with repeated or large feeding. Although historically fed to cattle, treat it as unsafe for cats in quantity and check with a vet before feeding pets.

What to do if your cat ate walking stick kale

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

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

Is walking stick kale toxic to cats? — FAQ

Is walking stick kale toxic to cats?

Mildly. The ASPCA lists walking stick 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. As a Brassica oleracea kale, it 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 GI irritation with repeated or large feeding. Although historically fed to cattle, treat it as unsafe for cats in quantity and check with a vet before feeding pets.

What are the symptoms if a cat eats walking stick kale?

As a Brassica oleracea kale, it 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 GI irritation with repeated or large feeding. Although historically fed to cattle, treat it as unsafe for cats in quantity and check with a vet before feeding pets. 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 walking stick kale.

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

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

What is a cat-safe alternative to walking stick 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 walking stick kale pet-safety