Animalcrossing Bob Cat : Acnh Villager Villagers Vestas
Acne Yard Guide | Bob Animal Crossing, Animal Crossing Characters.
While cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they need to eat meat to survive, they also like to munch on plants. Cat grass is a grass that's safe for cats to eat.
Eating grass is a natural behavior for cats. In the wild, these felines eat grass in order to regurgitate parts of their prey that they haven’t been able to digest.
As well as an aid for digestion, cat grass has a number of other benefits including providing your kitty with minerals and vitamins. Not all felines love cat grass, but if they do, it’s definitely worth exploring as a healthy treat for your cat.
If you’re wondering if it’s safe to feed an indoor cat cat grass, this handy guide has everything you’ll need to know from what it is, to its benefits and how to grow your own.
What is cat grass?
Cat grass is not one type of plant, but a mixture of grasses grown from wheat, barley, oat and rye seeds. It is grown indoors specifically for pets as unlike the grass on your lawn it will not contain toxic pesticides.
If you are planning to buy or grow your own cat grass oat grass is known to have the most flavor as well as being a good source of protein and fibre, barley is the sweetest and packed with nutrients, rye is durable and wheatgrass is the best all-rounder.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Do indoor cats need cat grass?
Cats do not need cat grass. In fact, not all cats like it. However, it is an affordable, low maintenance snack for your pet and it has numerous benefits so if they do enjoy it it’s worth giving it a go.
Cat grass benefits
As well as being a tasty treat for your cat, cat grass has a number of health benefits. It is full of nutrients and vitamins including vitamins A and D.
Cat grass also contains folic acid which helps produce hemoglobin to carry oxygen around the body, and chlorophyll, which helps relieve pain, heal infections and acts as a breath freshener.
This leafy green also helps with digestion. It not only acts as a laxative pushing out hairballs, but it helps cats rid their stomachs of undigested bits of food when they vomit it up.
Unlike the grass in your backyard, you can guarantee it won’t contain toxins and if your cat is eating the cat grass you’ve bought or grown, they’re less likely to eat other dangerous, non cat-friendly plants or ruin your houseplants entirely.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Any drawbacks? Can cat grass make a cat sick?
While eating cat grass is perfectly safe for your cat and they will naturally vomit to aid digestion, cats do have a tendency to overeat if they are sick so if you do find your pet is vomiting too much visit your vet.
The other drawback is that if they’ve got cat grass to snack on, they may also try to nibble your other houseplants or lawn, which could not only be unwelcome by you, but toxic to them.
Keep your houseplants out of reach and make sure you’re not treating your grass with any product that contains pesticides or use a sprinkler so your cat avoids the area.
How do you keep cat grass alive indoors? Will cat grass keep growing?
Cat grass will grow for 2-3 months if you’re looking after it, keeping it in a sunny spot and watering it around twice a week. After this it will die.
If you’re growing it yourself, give it to your cat when it’s around 3-4 inches (7.62-10.16 centimeters) tall. Once it has started to wilt pull out the shoots and plant more seeds.
Is catnip and cat grass the same thing? Does cat grass make cats high?
While catnip and cat grass sound similar and are both tasty treats for your pet to enjoy, they aren’t the same thing. What's the difference, you ask? Catnip is a member of the mint family and contains Euphoria nepetalactone, which gives cats a euphoric feeling and may even make them sleepy when they nibble on it, smell it or even rub themselves in it.
Cat grass, however, is generally only eaten by cats and is grown from a mixture of wheat, barley, oat and rye seeds. It has many benefits, but does not give them the same high.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
How much cat grass should I give my cat? Can I feed my cat grass every day?
There is no set rule for how much cat grass you should give your cat. Cat grass is safe for them to eat and has lots of benefits, but like everything else they should eat it in moderation so no more than 10% of their diet.
If you’re growing it yourself try planting a handful of seeds at a time. If you have more than one cat, perhaps give them each their own pot. Cats often overeat when they’re ill so make sure to monitor them to make sure if they’re eating excessively that they’re not vomiting too often and that they’re not ill.
Don’t worry if there’s grass in their vomit as often this just means something in their digestive system needed unblocking.
How to grow cat grass
Cat grass is relatively easy to grow. You’ll need a small, shallow container such as a pot plant, seeds, soil and water.
Fill the container with 2/3 soil, then scatter the seeds and add the last 1/3 soil. Finally add 50ml water and put the pot in a sunny area.
The grass should start to sprout in a few days and will be ready for your cat to eat after around two weeks or when it is 3-4 inches (7.62-10.16 centimeters) tall. Make sure to water your cat grass about twice a week.
Where to buy cat grass
Cat grass kits are available online, at pet stores or even at your veterinary practice if you want to buy them. If you are planning to grow your own cat grass, you can purchase seeds from a garden center.
In some ancient cultures, chia seeds were a staple food. Recently, these seeds have again gained popularity for their tremendous health benefits. The seeds provide a host of positive health effects because they are rich in vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. When watered and germinated chia seeds can be sprouted into a tasty grass. Chia grass is a wonderful dietary supplement for us humans, but what happens if your curious cat has a nibble or two? Is it safe for your furry friend to ingest this plant or will they run into tummy issues?
Can My Cat Eat Chia Grass Safely?
The short answer to this question is a definitive yes. No part of the chia plant is toxic to felines. However, be aware that chia seeds swell quite significantly when ingested. For this reason, only ever feed small amounts to your pet and supply with sufficient fluid intake. This will allow the fibrous and mucilaginous seed matter to pass through its digestive tract more easily. Thankfully, chia grass itself poses no such issues. If your cat hankers after these nutritious green shoots, let it chow down in peace.
Why Does My Cat Eat Chia Grass?
If your cat is partial to chia grass, don’t worry. Some experts think cats eat grass and greenery just because they like the taste and texture. It may also be instinctively grazing on the chia grass to boost its vitamin levels. Grass contains folic acid, which is essential for helping oxygen to move through your cat’s body. Cats may also eat grass to ease sore throats. Many people believe that cats only ever eat grass to induce vomiting when they have an upset stomach. While this isn’t the only reason, cats do need help digesting after indulging their predatory instincts. When they hunt small animals such as mice and birds, the bones, fur, and feathers on their prey may not pass through the cat’s digestive system easily. In this case, cats may use grass as a laxative to help with the elimination of hairballs. Because cats don’t have the enzymes to break down grass, they may eat grass to induce vomiting and get rid of indigestible materials. So don’t worry if your cat eats chia grass or cat grass regularly. However, if your cat is eating a lot of grass, or eating it very frequently, make sure you take it to your vet to get checked out.
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Should Cats Eat Plants?
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat to get the nutrients they need. Despite this, cats enjoy munching on plants for a number of reasons. Although chia plants are harmless for cats, if your cat has a habit of snacking on your chia plants, be careful about other greenery in your home. Your curious cat may branch out and try other vegetation once they have a taste for chia grass. You should ensure that all of your houseplants are non-toxic if your cat has a habit of snacking on plants and grass. For example, kalanchoes and lilies, which are popular houseplants, can cause mild to severe reactions in cats. You should always take your cat to the vet if it ingests a poisonous plant.
What Plants Are Poisonous For My Cat?
Although chia plants are fine, there are a large number of plants that are toxic to cats. Some will irritate the localized tissues exposed to the toxin, such as the skin, mouth, and stomach of your kitty. Still other plants may contain toxic substances that may harm or alter the functions of a cat’s organs, such as the kidneys or heart. You can find a list of toxic plants here, but some common ones to watch out for include azaleas and rhododendrons, castor beans, dieffenbachias, kalanchoes, lilies, pothos, and tulips.
What Type of Grass is Best for My Cat?
Although chia grass is perfectly safe for your furry friend, cat grass is even safer as it has been used for many years by thousands of cats all over the country and it has been proven to be safe and helpful for digestion. You can purchase pots of cat grass if you want to ensure that your cat only consumes the safest grass. Your cat will adore having its own patch of grass on which to graze. Not only will this satisfy its munching urge, but it will also prevent it from chomping on your prized houseplants.
What is Cat Grass?
Cat grass isn’t the same thing as the grass growing on your lawn. Lawn grass is not ideal for cats as it may contain pesticides. Cat grass is a specific blend of grasses, grown inside your house specifically for your felines. Cat grass isn’t just one type of plant either, it’s a grass mixture made out of seeds such as wheat, barley, oats, and rye. It can be used as a distratcion, to keep your cat away from dangerous plants. Deter your kitty from knocking over your plants by offering it a tasty, dedicated, natural cat snack instead.
Conclusion
Cats are notoriously picky eaters, so not all cats will eat chia grass, however, many of them do. What should you do if you see your kitty sneaking a mouthful? Is it really safe for cats to eat? Worry not. Chia grass is harmless for cats. However, if you’d rather stick with a tried and true vegetation for your pet, opt for cat grass. In the event that you do decide to supplement your cat’s diet with chia grass, if you ever notice anything out of the ordinary with your cat’s health or behavior make sure to contact your vet right away.
Featured Image Credit: ArieStudio, Shutterstock
Acne Yard Guide | Bob Animal Crossing, Animal Crossing Characters
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