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Can cats eat wheatgrass? Wheatgrass is the young shoot of the wheat plant that sprouts from the soaked and rinsed wheat seed.
Since the felines are categorized as obligate carnivores, can they eat wheatgrass? Yes, cats can eat and consume wheatgrass.
Though it might sound unlikely that cats can eat wheatgrass! We’ll look into what this means for your cat. Is it even healthy? How much should they be fed?
Is wheatgrass healthy for cats?
Can cats eat wheatgrass? Is wheatgrass healthy for cats? Yes, feeding your cat the wheatgrass is suitable for their mental and physical health.
It is naturally packed with various nutrients, including protein, fiber, vitamins, selenium, minerals, chlorophyll, and carotene.
Why can cats eat wheatgrass?
Can cats eat wheatgrass? Considering the nutritional value of wheatgrass, a few benefits are listed here that justify why wheatgrass can be fed to our furry friends.
Promoting digestive health- The natural fibers in wheatgrass can increase digestive motility and aid in removing the hairballs and foreign bodies that otherwise can cause blockage.
Meliorate Immune System – The fact that wheatgrass is enriched with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients can help your cat strengthen their immune system.
Decelerate the Aging Process- Chlorophyll (an essential factor in making hemoglobin and proven to be a blood booster) is found in the wheatgrass. So it can help your cat make more blood, slowing the aging process and making it look younger.
Chlorophyll (an essential factor in making hemoglobin and proven to be a blood booster) is found in the wheatgrass. So it can help your cat make more blood, slowing the aging process and making it look younger. Improved Vision- Vitamin A, E, C, and carotenes in the wheatgrass can improve the night vision of your cat.
Brain Stimulation- Cats usually have a playful and curious nature. So, if you found your pet inattentive, then the introduction of the wheatgrass as a new food can make them feel the difference in their daily food routine and can do some stimulation.
Cats usually have a playful and curious nature. So, if you found your pet inattentive, then the introduction of the wheatgrass as a new food can make them feel the difference in their daily food routine and can do some stimulation. Eliminate Heavy Metals – Wheatgrass have the natural ability to bind with heavy metals and remove them away from the body of any living organism. Hence, it is really good for your furry friend.
An analgesic for Older- Wheatgrass is rich in minerals. These minerals can help in restoring the bones and muscle tissue. Older cats have mobility problems, and it can relieve the pain of arthritis in them.
Increases Fertility- High amount of magnesium in it produces the enzymes that bind with and enhance the production of sex hormones. The consumption of wheatgrass can prove beneficial in pregnant cats as well as in those that are bred regularly.
Food for Cats: Did You Know? Felines are not actually picky eaters as one might think. Therefore, we have looked at several different foods and tell you if it’s safe for your cat to eat or not. Like this one: Can Cats Eat Sunflower seeds? More Cat FOod here
How much wheatgrass can you feed your cat?
Can cats eat wheatgrass? How much wheatgrass can you feed? Though cats enjoy munching on wheatgrass but should be given in small quantities to maintain health.
Cats are carnivores designed to digest animal-based protein, so they are deficient in the enzymes required to digest plant-based protein and fiber.
Consumption of a large amount of wheatgrass or any vegetable can lead to digestive problems.
How often can you feed wheatgrass to your cat?
To stay healthy, wheatgrass can be given daily but in a small volume.
Is wheatgrass safe to use?
There is nothing to worry about. The shoot part contains only the plant fiber, and there is no gluten (found in the seed) in it.
So, even if your kitty has some food allergies to wheat gluten, you can feed the wheatgrass without any hesitation.
Do cats enjoy eating wheatgrass?
Yes! It tastes really good. Its different texture can add a change to their conventional food. Cats enjoy eating wheatgrass.
Can wheatgrass prove harmful to cats?
Yes, the consumption of wheatgrass can have detrimental side effects if not served carefully. These are;
Chemical Poisoning- If you decide to allow your cat access to the wheatgrass, be sure you remove any toxic green plants grown with it.
Outdoor grown wheatgrass is usually sprayed with chemicals and herbicides to preserve them from pests. These chemicals can lead to poisoning in cats and other animals.
Therefore, you need to be careful with your purchase and must wash them before feeding. Homegrown wheatgrass is the safest and alternative option to be used.
Indigestion- The main side effect is increased vomiting or pooping. This can be due to overconsumption or due to the cat’s inability to digest the plant fiber found in the wheatgrass.
Fibers increase the gut motility that ultimately poops out the stomach content one way or the other.
Conclusion – Can cats eat wheatgrass?
Is wheatgrass good for cats? Yes, wheatgrass is good for cats. They can eat it safely. It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, chlorophylls, and fibers.
You can feed your pet a small quantity of wheatgrass daily along with the main diet.
Have you ever wondered where does your cat’s irresistible urge to nibble on houseplants, come from? And why she does that? No matter how odd this indulgence appears to you, it is your cat’s way of saying
“I want more greens on my menu’’.
There is a theory suggesting that all pets are instinctively attracted to chlorophyll-rich plants. Although cats are obligate carnivores, they are capable of digesting plants and utilizing their nutrients. It is assumed that prior to domestication, cats hunted small, grass-eating animals such as birds, rodents, reptiles and when consuming them whole, they would receive green nutrients through the content of their prey’s digestive tract. Therefore, adding wheatgrass to your cat’s menu is the best alternative for enhancing your domesticated cat’s health and satisfying its attraction to greens5. Furthermore, adding wheatgrass to your cat’s diet is a smart and simple way of discouraging your cat’s appetite for harmful and potentially toxic household plants and chemically-treated outside grasses.
Wheatgrass contains a plethora of useful micronutrients such as chlorophyll, antioxidants, vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and K, several minerals and a complete set of amino acids7. In a nutshell, this leafy green’s powerful nutrients are known to provide the following benefits:
Chlorophyll, also known as liquid sunlight , is a green pigment that acts as the life force of plants and is produced through sunlight exposure. Being a natural blood booster, chlorophyll aids the cat’s health by enabling her body to produce stronger blood and by eliminating toxins that lead to bad smells 11 . In older cats, chlorophyll has been proven to slow down the aging process. Containing up to 70% chlorophyll, wheatgrass is a great cat product.
, is a green pigment that acts as the life force of plants and is produced through sunlight exposure. Being a natural blood booster, chlorophyll aids the cat’s health by enabling her body to produce stronger blood and by eliminating toxins that lead to bad smells . In older cats, chlorophyll has been proven to slow down the aging process. Containing up to 70% chlorophyll, wheatgrass is a great cat product. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals before they can harm your cat’s health. Free radicals cause damage in the form of oxidative stress and the oxidative stress is directly linked to aging and disease.
Vitamin A is essential for your cat’s night vision, maintenance of soft mucous tissues, and normal growth.
B-complex vitamins are vital to the health of the nervous system
Vitamin C is important in supporting a healthy immune system. In synergy with vitamin E, it acts as a powerful antioxidant. It also aids the assimilation of essential minerals.
Vitamin E is the most potent fat-soluble antioxidant. The more polyunsaturated fatty.
Vitamin K is crucial for regulating the blood clotting process and activating some clotting factors. It is also essential for proper kidney function and bone metabolism.
Overall, wheatgrass improves your cat’s health and is beneficial for:
Weight loss decreases the cat’s appetite by turning off the appestat in the brain.
Enhancing fertility hormones since it is rich with Mg, which produces enzymes essential for binding and healing sex hormones, wheatgrass is an important addition for pregnant cats and cats that are being bred on a regular basis.
Expulsing hairballs and feathers acting as a laxative by increasing the intestinal motility and adding valuable vegetable-based fibers, wheatgrass supports healthy digestion and helps to control and eliminating harmful hairballs. Furthermore, eating too much wheatgrass can cause vomiting. In the process of vomiting the grass, the cat also throws up indigestible products, including hairballs or feathers.
Skin moisturizing stomach issues often cause dry skin and flaking. By eliminates bad bacteria whilst helping good bacteria in the stomach flourish, wheatgrass makes the skin soft and moist and the coat, silky.
Relieving musculoskeletal pain by restoring bone and muscle tissue and acting as a nerve tonic, especially in older cats.
Removing potentially harmful elements such as fluoride and heavy metals by binding with them.
Amplifying dental health wheatgrass is rich with substances able not only to cure but prevent teeth decay and eventual teeth loss.
It is advisable to get a wheatgrass kit and have fresh growing wheatgrass in your home, year-round.
Growing your own wheatgrass (instructions):
Step 1. Acquire the needed materials, such as:
A low-wide glass or ceramic tray
Water beads
Coffee filter or unbleached paper towel
Organic wheatgrass seeds
Preferably filtered water.
Step 2. Fill 2/3 of your tray with water beads and cover them with a paper towel.
Step 3. Disperse a thin layer of wheatgrass seeds on top of the paper towel. To speed up the process, you can pre-soak the seeds in water over-night.
Step 4. Add water to fill the jar up to the paper towel. That is the water level you need to maintain while the grass is growing.
The seeds usually sprout in 7-10 days. After the roots grow down into the stones, the water levels do not have to be kept as high as during the sprouting time. Wheatgrass can grow in poor light conditions too.
If your cat does not start grazing the wheatgrass on her own, add clippings in her food and treats or try mixing them with water.
Once she consumes this leafy green, she will realize that it is a tasty treat and will be encouraged to graze on it. If your cat does not enjoy any of the previously mentioned methods, try adding a small amount of wheatgrass juice or wheatgrass powder in her meal.
No matter what the label displays, commercially produced nutritious cat products often lack necessary greens. Therefore, improving your cat’s health by implementing green nutrition is not only an emerging trend but also a conscious choice of cat parents " going green’’. Due to its powerful nutrients, today the wheatgrass is considered to be a sought-after cat product and its popularity increased dramatically over the past two decades. This leafy green is a natural supplement and potent booster for your cat’s health. Additionally, wheatgrass is gluten free because it is harvested before it develops the gluten-forming grain.
Want more information about wheatgrass?
Here is a comprehensive review of the scientific research into wheatgrass benefits:
https://healthybutsmart.com/wheatgrass-benefits/
Check out How to grow soil free cat grass!
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