Can cats eat kale?
In this cat blog, we answered the main query, “Can cats eat kale?” we also discussed the major health benefits of consuming kale, the major health risks of consuming kale, and how much kale is healthy for your cat.
Can cats eat kale?
Yes, cats can eat kale but in moderation. It should be added to around 10% of the food that you are giving your cat. Moreover, your cat can benefit from vitamin A and the copper in it but it also has a few drawbacks which you should consider before giving kale to your cat.
What are the major health benefits of consuming kale for your cat?
Following are the major health benefits of consuming kale for your cat:
Vitamin A
The first vitamin is vitamin A for your cat. Vitamin is healthy for your cat to consume because it acts as an antioxidant agent and also is healthy for the eye and the coat health of the cat.
Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant agent in the body which can protect the body from harmful reactive species. These harmful reactive species can cause deadly conditions like cancer and other heart-related issues such as cardiomyopathy.
Copper
The only mineral in kale is copper which is required for the functionality of the iron in the body. Iron is the core element of the hemoglobin in the body which is required for the supply of oxygen in the body.
The hemoglobin in the red blood cells is required for the healthy function of all body organs because the major organs of the body need oxygen to perform their function correctly.
What are the major health hazards of consuming kale for your cat?
Following are the major health hazards of consuming kale for your cat:
Stomach upset
The first problem is the stomach upset in the body of your cat. Stomach upset is not a big problem in your cat as it is due to indigestion of the kale in the body of your cat.
Cats are obligate carnivore animals and they are not specialized in the digestion of the forages in the body. Therefore, when your cat consumes too much forage it can lead to indigestion and ultimately leads to stomach upset in the body of your cat.
Following are the major clinical signs of stomach upset in your cat:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Restlessness
Impaction
As we have discussed, the cat’s stomach is not specialized to digest kale in the body. If your cat consumes too much kale then it can lead to impaction of the intestine in the body. Impaction means the undigested food resides in the intestine of the cat. This is a very painful condition for your cat. Following are the major clinical signs of impaction in your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Little to no feces
- Lethargy
- Restlessness
- Weakness
If this condition continues and your cat is not treated in time, the immune system of the body will recognize this undigested food material as foreign material in the intestine. This will increase the temperature of the body and it ultimately leads to off-feeding and lethargy in your cat.
The only treatment option for the impaction is the surgical removal of the intestinal contents from the body of your cat.
Choking
The next thing is the choking in your cat. If you do not chop the forage then the large fiber of the forage can get stuck in the esophagus of the body which can lead to choking in your cat.
Following are the major clinical signs of choking in your cat:
- Loss of appetite
- Expanded esophagus
- Breathing problems
- Head towards the ground
- Pawing at head
- Lethargy
- Weakness
The expanded esophagus can put pressure on the trachea which can lead to tracheal collapse and the death of your cat.
Heinz body anemia
Many scientists believe that consuming kale can cause Heinz body anemia in your cat. Anemia is the destruction of the red blood cells in the body of your cat. The body’s organs become short of oxygen supply which can lead to tissue hypoxia and necrosis of the organs of the body.
How much kale can your cat eat?
The cat can consume kale at the rate of 10% of the diet. If you give kale at this rate, it can lead to a healthy body for your cat. Consuming more than that can cause problems for your cat which can affect its health in the long run.
Conclusion
In this cat blog, we answered the main query, “Can cats eat kale?” we also discussed the major health benefits of consuming kale, the major health risks of consuming kale, and how much kale is healthy for your cat.
References
https://www.google.com/amp/s/cattime.com/cat-facts/health/43698-can-cats-eat-kale-safe%3famp
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.petsbest.com/blog/is-kale-safe-for-dogs-cats/amp/
https://eclinpath.com/hematology/anemia/mechanisms-of-anemia/hbha-feline-labeled/
