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“Why is my cat eating grass?” Veterinarians encounter this question a lot. Though it might sound unlikely, cats can eat wheatgrass! Since they are classified as obligate carnivores, you might be concerned at the sight of one nibbling grass comfortably. Surprise! Cats can eat, digest, and draw nutritional benefits from plants.

There is a theory that explains that cats used to be omnivores prior to their domestication and that they only became obligate carnivores because their diet, after domestication, omitted green nutrition. This article looks to breakdown some of the reasons why cats eat wheatgrass and how it benefits them in the long run.

What Does Wheatgrass Contain?

Wheatgrass is the young shoot of a wheat plant that is harvested before the grain sprouts. This makes them rich in chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals. Some of the minerals and vitamins found in wheatgrass include carotene, vitamins A, E, and C. In addition, the grass has a high level of plant protein.

Other minerals found in wheatgrass are selenium and fiber. The latter can help fix the digestive system and bowel movement in particular.

Pro Tip: Consider the younger wheatgrass plants since they have a higher protein concentration level.

How Much Wheatgrass Should a Cat Consume?

Generally, cats aren’t wired to consume a lot of greens. Though they lack certain enzymes that allow them to digest veggies well, they can consume wheatgrass in small portions. Even though they tend to enjoy it, do not get the idea that it can replace their usual nutritional meals.

Though nothing has been proven, stick to the idea that cats don’t have enzymes to breakdown greens – they’re predatory by nature. And they should only consume few portions of the grass.

Also, whether you choose to feed it to the cat daily or every other time, they will be okay.

How Much Wheatgrass Can My Cat Have?

Your cat should be able to consume small volumes of wheatgrass every day if that’s possible. Since it is hard to quantify the amount of clippings they can have, you might want to pass this through your vet. You also need to ensure that there aren’t some toxic matters on the wheatgrass your cat eats.

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Advantages of Feeding My Cat with Wheatgrass

A few portions of wheatgrass propels your feline’s wellbeing, both physically and mentally. Here are some of the reasons why:

1. Boosts Immune System

As you’ve already seen, wheatgrass has many nutrients that are suitable for the cat’s immunity. These minerals and vitamins will go a long way in saving you a trip to the vet.

2. Weight Loss

This might sound funny until you have a lazy and chubby cat for a pet. Getting it to shed off the weight can be quite an uphill task. As you focus on changing the cat’s diet, let it snack on some wheatgrass.

3. Stimulation

Cats are generally meant to be playful and active. If you notice that its usual routine is becoming boring, you can introduce the wheatgrass to the cat’s meal for a bit of stimulation.

4. Dental Health

Why feed your cat on snacks that can cause tooth decay and cavities when wheatgrass is a much cheaper and healthier option? This way, you would worry less about their dental health.

Treating dental issues in cats will leave a massive dent in your pockets, something you need to avoid.

5. Slows Down the Aging Process

Chlorophyll is one of the nutrients in wheatgrass, and it is proven to being a blood booster and slowing down the aging process. Your cat will not only generate more potent blood but also look younger.

6. Night Vision

Another reason your cat needs to be munching on wheatgrass is that it improves night vision, courtesy of the Vitamin A in the grass.

7. Helps with Kidney Disease

When you notice that your cat has an increased appetite for greens, this may be because they have a health issue like kidney disease. If this happens to be the case, consult your vet before making any major nutritional changes.

When to Worry About Cats Eating Wheatgrass

As much as cats gain a lot from wheatgrass, here are some disadvantages of the same:

1. Green Plants Can Be Toxic

As stated before, cats aren’t designed in a way that they should be consuming veggies. That means the intake should be limited. Also, you need to be wary should your cat’s sudden intake of wheatgrass go. Once they are familiar with the grass, they may end up devouring any green plant within their vicinity. The other plants may harm your cat, and too much wheatgrass intake isn’t good for your cat’s general well-being.

2. Vomiting and Pooping Gastric Disorders

Your little feline friend may vomit, diarrhea, or poop more frequently. Dehydration will quickly ensue, and at this point, the cat will literally be sick

What About Gluten Intolerance?

Contrary to common belief, wheatgrass doesn’t contain gluten in its core structure. Remember, the grass is harvested in the early stages before the gluten-forming component matures. So, there’s no cause for alarm no matter how often you feed your cat with wheatgrass.

How to Feed Wheatgrass to a Cat

Generally, there isn’t a designed formula for feeding. You can either have the cat eat it as raw as it is after you plucking it or opt to juice it for the cat to drink. However, the cat may find the juiced version a bit difficult to take. The first method should be okay.

Can Cats Eat Other Grass?

Cats can munch on almost any other grass out there, including lawn grass. However, they generally love wheatgrass, and it much safer and more nutritionally-packed than the rest.

Is Wheatgrass Catgrass?

Wheatgrass is an example of cat grass. You can also get cat grass from other plants like barley, bluegrass, oats, flax, fescue, and rye. When these grass types are used to make cat products, the end result is what we refer to as cat grass.

What Kind of Cats Can Eat Wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is suitable for all types of cats, regardless of their age and breed. It is also safe for kittens and felines with ailments like diabetes since it doesn’t contain a lot of carbohydrates.

Even though all cats can consume wheatgrass, that shouldn’t be a reason to go all out with it. Don’t overfeed it to your cat or replace it with the main diet.

Conclusion

Wheatgrass is safe for cats and can act as a better alternative in place of other snacks. It can also be given alongside the main diet. Many factors come into play when cats eat wheatgrass, but most of them are suitable for your cat’s good. Wheatgrass can have significant effects on your cat for good reasons. You will also save a few bucks as you won’t see your vet as often.

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I have indoor only cats and the first thing they do when escaping the house is head for the grass. With all the things outside that can hurt our cats, could grass be one of them? I did some research into this to see if it’s ok that cats or kittens be eating any type of grass, grown or from outside.

So, can cats eat grass? In general, cats can eat grass from outside as well as the kind formulated and grown from rye, barley, oat or wheat seeds, called cat grass. There isn’t evidence that grass will hurt your cat. In fact, cats will regurgitate any large amount of grass they eat because they can’t digest it.

With all the stress we cat owners have about letting our cats out, letting them graze on the grass or vegetation outside is concerning.

Just make sure the grass or your surrounding plants aren’t treated with any chemicals that could be harmful to them.

We like to bring the outdoors in to avoid anything that may contain pesticides or fertilizers.

Let’s dig into some common questions, types, how to grow and “benefits” of grass for your cats.

Why Do Cats Eat Grass?

It’s instinctive and natural that cats want to graze. Your indoor or outdoor cat may be simply satisfying a craving or urge.

They’re also very skilled and instinctively know when they need particular nutrients. They surely don’t eat grass for the nutritional value.

The grass is mainly composed of fiber and they lack the enzyme to break it down and digest it.

Yet, it does help with their digestive process by making them regurgitate (throw up) anything they aren’t digesting.

So, if you have an outdoor cat that eats a whole mouse, it’s a good idea for your cat to eat some grass to help get out those little spiky bones.

We don’t want them to get stuck or puncture their intestines.

Conversely, if your cat doesn’t have access to some type of grass, they’ll probably head for your houseplants, electrical wires, plastics or anything they can chew on.

Always consult your vet if this behavior becomes compulsive.

They can pretty much eat many types of grass, including:

Barley grass

Oat grass

Ryegrass

Wheatgrass

Or they can eat a blend of all those.

In fact, cats may eat grass simply because they like it!

Where can you buy cat grass?

You can buy these small kits at your local farm or online:

What Is Cat Grass

The scientific name for the grass is Dactylis glomerata, and it is also known as cocksfoot or orchard grass. Cats and other animals like this grass because it has high sugar content.

Is grass safe for cats? Cat grass doesn’t hurt cats, so there’s really no reason to stop them from eating it.

The unsafe part is when a cat eats outside grass that’s been treated with fertilizers or weed killers.

Eating Cat Grass Benefits

There aren’t really any nutritional benefits if your cats eat homegrown cat grass or from outside. They normally vomit it back up or a day after. So, they don’t consume enough to get those types of benefits.

Yet, grass does contain:

Sugar

Lots of moisture

Some trace minerals

Vitamin A

Vitamin D

Chlorophyll – which, back in the day, was good for pain and other ailments.

It’s not really essential for their diets as they would get these greens from the bellies of their “plant eater” prey.

That’s where the fondness comes from.

It’s better to have organic cat grass in the house instead of them seeking out your plants or other nondigestible things such as plastic or rubber bands.

If your cat is eating those other things (take them to a vet or to a behavioral specialist), you might want to make sure they haven’t developed Pica.

Pica is an eating disorder defined as the persistent consumption of non-nutritional items.

But stay with me.

The obvious thing for indoor cats that is it helps rid whatever is “stuck” inside them.

Things like:

Fur

Bones

Plastic’s

Non-toxic cat grass could serve these benefits for your cat:

It’s A Treat – Most cats enjoy it (contains a fair amount of sugar, careful for diabetic cats… only give in moderation)

Digestion – speeds up the process from the fiber

Inducing Vomiting – the long blades will irritate them enough to induce vomiting. (getting rid of what was stated above) If your cat vomits more than 3 times a day should see a vet.

Fur Balls – This is for your indoor cats. This helps to get those out and prevent them too.

Act As A Dietary Supplements – contains niacin and B vitamins.

Acts as a Non-Toxic Plant – deters your cats from eating any plants in the house

Possible to prevent diarrhea

How much cat grass should a cat eat? Cats can eat as much as they want, as long as you don’t see a pattern where they are eating chunks at a time and not eating their normal food. That’s when it’s a cause for concern.

I wouldn’t let them eat the outside grass unless you know it doesn’t contain any chemicals and such.

How To Grow Cat Grass

If you want to be in control of the type of grass your cat likes to eat, then grow it.

You can buy kits online but what fun is that? Let’s be wilderness humans and grow some cat grass with soil (or without) and seeds.

You have some choices on the common types of cat grass:

Oat Grass – slightly sweet and said to taste better than wheatgrass

Wheat Grass – has the vitamins, minerals and amino acids. This grass is good for us humans too (ever have a wheatgrass shot from Jamba juice, ugh.)

Rye Grass – has smaller blades and can be used as a cool cat bed.

Barley Grass – this also has those easily absorbable enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids into the bloodstream

How to grow cat grass.

The set-up gear:

The set up of planting those seeds:

Add the soil to the pot or container

Make sure the soil is 2 inches from the top

Add (sprinkle) those seeds on top

Then add a quarter inch of soil over the seeds

Below is time lapsed video of oat grass seed being grown:

Time to water for germination:

Use a spray bottle to moisten the soil. (don’t pour water as it will sink or reveal the seeds)

Take the plastic wrap and cover the pot or container.

Poke holes in the plastic cover for air

Put in a cool dark place for germination – like a cupboard

Make sure the soil stays moist, not soaked – don’t overwater

Wait a couple days or until you see little sprouts

Take it out and put in a well-lit place like a windowsill (with sunlight and indirect sunlight or use grow lights)

Keep it moist only

Wait 10-12 days until the grass grows

Keep the grass trimmed to about 4 inches

How to grow cat grass without soil

Growing cat grass without soil is fairly easy, doesn’t require too much light, looks nicer and doesn’t make as much of a mess.

The setup gear to grow cat grass without soil:

Low-wide glass jar or bowl – If you’re into aesthetics, try this Weck Jar

Grow Stones

Unbleached Paper towel or coffee filter

Organic Wheat Grass Seeds

Water, preferably filtered

The setup of planting your seeds:

Fill the jar about ¾ full of growing stones (maybe a bit less)

Then cut a piece of the paper towel or coffee filter to fit inside your jar

Spread a layer of your grass seeds (pre-soaked or not) on top of the paper towel

Fill the jar with water up to the paper towel (keep the water level here during the sprouting process)

The germination and upkeep:

The seeds will sprout after a few days

Then will take 7 – 12 days until your cat can enjoy it

By this time you can water less but keep it moist and don’t let it dry out

Below is a great way to grow wheatgrass without soil or rocks:

How to keep cat grass alive.

Cat grass will only live for a few weeks, then you’ll need to replant. During that time keep it moist using a spray bottle and in a well-lit area. If you overwater it, mold can occur.

Related Questions:

Why do cats eat grass to make themselves sick? Cat’s don’t eat grass to make themselves sick but this happens because they don’t have the necessary enzymes to digest a large amount of grass. It’s good that your cats eat grass because it helps clear their stomachs of anything that can irritate their digestive tract.

Do indoor cats need grass? Cat’s don’t need to eat grass and it isn’t necessary per se but it’s advisable to let your cat eat grass and have some available every once in a while to help with their digestion.

Is cat grass and wheatgrass the same? Cat grass and wheatgrass aren’t the same. Wheatgrass contains, Triticum Aestivum (common wheat). Cat grass contains Dactylis Glomerata (cocksfoot or orchard grass.)

Cat eating grass every day ok? Eat cat grass in small amounts is ok but if they’re eating huge chunks at a time, they may have a more serious disease or ailment. This could be caused by behavioral drives, nutritional cravings or idiopathic causes (basically your vet doesn’t know). Just watch for patterns and consult a vet if they’re ignoring their normal food and just eating grass.

How long does it take to grow cat grass? It takes cat grass 10 to 14 days to grow. During germination, keep the seeds in the soil damp but not soaked. It takes 3 to 7 days for the grass seeds to sprout. Your cat grass should stay 4 inches in height and will live for about 1 to 3 weeks.

Source:

http://www.vetstreet.com/care/my-pet-wont-stop-eating-grass-whats-going-on

https://www.healthstartsinthekitchen.com/2016/04/22/diy-grow-cat-grass-no-dirt-needed/