Can Cats Consume Kale? What You Should Know!

There is a lot of misinformation on the internet about feeding kale to cats. While many websites will claim that it is completely safe, this is not the case. Kale contains oxidizing agents, which can harm your cat’s red blood cells and cause Heinz body anemia.
This type of anemia occurs when the red blood cells are damaged. Your cat is producing red blood cells normally, but they are becoming damaged and ineffective.
These damaged cells can be seen under a microscope, allowing veterinarians to make an accurate diagnosis.
This condition can be caused by a variety of factors. It is usually caused by something your pet ate, such as kale. A similar problem can be caused by onions and certain medications. Certain underlying conditions, such as diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and inherited disorders, can also harm red blood cells.
Finally, do not feed kale to your cat. Kale should be avoided due to its association with this condition.

How Much Kale Is Too Much?

We do not know how much kale is required to cause Heinz body anemia in cats. There have been no studies on the effectiveness of kale in cats. However, any amount will begin to harm red blood cells. The question is how long it will take before the cat develops symptoms and possibly dies.
A small amount of kale is unlikely to be harmful. However, if your cat is underweight, a small amount of kale may cause discomfort.

After your cat consumes kale, you should consult a veterinarian. They may want you to come in right away or wait for symptoms to appear. It is determined by the size of your cat and the amount of kale consumed by your feline.

Symptoms of Kale Overdose in Your Cat

There are several signs that your cat has consumed too much kale. First, they may experience a sudden onset of weakness as their muscles and organs are unable to receive adequate blood and oxygen. Red blood cells transport oxygen. As a result, if they become damaged, your cat’s body will be unable to receive the necessary amount of oxygen, resulting in weakness.
A high kale intake may also result in a fever and a sudden loss of appetite. Because of the lack of oxygen, a cat’s digestive system will not function properly, and they will not exhibit normal hunger signs.
You may notice your cat’s lips, mouth, and gums losing color due to a lack of red blood cells. They will turn pale because red blood cells are responsible for their usual pinkish color. When they are damaged, this pinkish color will no longer be visible.
You may also notice a discoloration of your cat’s skin for the same reason in extreme cases. The redness of their blood is responsible for some of their skin color. Their skin may appear paler than usual if they lack red blood cells.
You might also notice red blood in their urine. It could be reddish-brown in color.

What Is the Cure for Kale Overdose?

If your cat consumes an excessive amount of kale, veterinary care is required. Your veterinarian will need to diagnose Heinz body anemia. Typically, they will start with a complete red blood cell count to help determine the cause of your cat’s symptoms. Under a microscope, your veterinarian will be able to see damaged red blood cells.
In some cases, your veterinarian may perform a methemoglobin test to determine the precise level of oxygen in your cat’s bloodstream, which is necessary for treatment.

Some cats may have a large number of damaged blood cells in their bodies before showing symptoms, whereas others may show symptoms quickly. As a result, the number of red blood cells in your cat isn’t always directly related to their symptoms.
If the kale was consumed only recently, the veterinarian may attempt to induce vomiting. Toxin absorption can also be prevented by using activated charcoal.
If the situation is severe, your cat may require a blood transfusion and oxygen. In many cases, hospitalization is necessary. If your cat is not eating or drinking properly, supportive therapy such as IV fluids may be used.
The prognosis is quite good once the crisis has been announced. If the only cause of the illness is kale, simply not giving the cat any more kale will prevent it from happening again.

Can Cats Consume Fresh Kale?

It makes no difference how fresh the kale is. The freshness is not what makes it toxic. As a result, you should avoid giving your cat any kale at all, as it can cause anemia in large quantities.
While kale contains many vitamins and minerals, the risk of anemia is simply not worth it. The body of your cat requires oxygen to function. If their red blood cells are unable to provide it, the cat will become anemic and may develop severe symptoms.

Anemia can be caused if your cat consumes a large amount of kale in a short period of time. However, if your cat eats a little bit at a time, it may cause problems. As a result, even if they do not exhibit any symptoms at first, you should not add kale to their diet.
Each cat reacts differently to kale. Some people develop symptoms right away, even if they are not severely anemic. Other cats don’t show any symptoms until they’re in bad shape. As a result, don’t mistake your cat’s lack of symptoms for evidence that they aren’t anemic.
In addition, raw kale contains oxalic acid, which binds to minerals and causes them to crystallize. These crystals can cause damage to the body and inflammation, which can lead to a variety of illnesses later on. They can also result in kidney stones.

Conclusion

Cats should avoid eating kale in large quantities, though cooked kale is safer than fresh kale. Kale contains chemicals that can cause red blood cell damage, resulting in anemia. If your cat consumes a large amount of kale at once, this can be fatal. Even if your cat does not develop severe anemia, minor anemia can be problematic if it persists for an extended period of time (like if your feline is eating kale as a part of their regular diet).
Anemia does not always manifest itself immediately in cats. Just because your cat appears to be fine after eating kale doesn’t mean they are, and it doesn’t mean you can keep feeding it to them.
Cats evolved to hide their symptoms when they were sick in order to avoid being attacked if they were caught in the wild. Domestic cats, obviously, are not affected by this. However, they continue to conceal their symptoms as if they are afraid of being attacked.
While cats can eat some vegetables, they should not be a large part of their diet. Cats, as obligate carnivores, fare much better when fed foods high in fat and protein, such as meat and other animal products.

source https://babypetdaily.com/can-cats-consume-kale-what-you-should-know/