How much bok choy could upset a 3.5 kg cat
Since your cat grabbed raw bok choy from a salad, the amount matters more than the vegetable itself. A few small shreds are unlikely to cause issues, but if she ate half a cup or more of the fibrous greens, her digestive system might protest. Cats lack enzymes to break down plant matter efficiently, so even safe vegetables can irritate their stomach lining when eaten in quantity.
Watch for subtle signs like licking her lips more than usual or turning up her nose at dinner—these often precede vomiting in cats. The first 8 hours are when symptoms typically appear if they're going to, though some cats take longer to react. Soft stool may develop up to 24 hours later as the fiber moves through her system.
Why raw greens hit cats differently
That bok choy was raw makes a difference—cooked vegetables are slightly easier on feline digestion because heat breaks down some cellulose. The crisp texture of raw bok choy may have encouraged your cat to swallow larger pieces without chewing thoroughly, which increases the chance of mild throat irritation or stomach discomfort.
Indoor cats especially tend to have sensitive stomachs since their diets lack variety. If she's never eaten leafy greens before, her system may treat this as an oddity rather than food. You might notice her sniffing around the litter box more frequently as her body processes this unusual meal.
When to expect signs—and when not to worry
For a cat of her size, any reaction would likely be immediate (within 2-6 hours) if it's going to happen at all. One episode of vomiting or a single loose stool doesn't require a vet visit unless she seems distressed. What you don't want to see is persistent vomiting—more than twice in an hour—or diarrhea that continues beyond one bowel movement.
Her weight works in her favor here—at 3.5 kg, she's large enough that a salad's worth of bok choy wouldn't overwhelm her system. But do check that she's drinking normally; some cats avoid water after stomach upset, which can lead to mild dehydration that worsens any digestive issues.
The advantage of being an indoor cat in this scenario
Since she lives indoors, you can monitor her closely��you'll notice if she's straining in the litter box or leaving smaller, wetter clumps than usual. These are more reliable indicators than behavior changes since cats hide discomfort well. The main advantage here is that you know exactly what and when she ate, unlike outdoor cats who might sneak plants without owners realizing.
If she shows no signs within 12 hours, she's likely processed the bok choy without issue. Some cats actually enjoy the texture of leafy greens and may seek them out again—consider offering cat grass as a safer alternative if she seems interested in vegetation.
The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Bok choy food facts page.