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Plants are an amazing way to add color to our gardens and homes, but sometimes our green friends and our pets don’t go together very well.
Cat grass is a variety of grass that is grown and produced specifically for cats, and it is usually grown from oat grass or barley grass seeds.
It has many benefits, from helping your cat’s digestion to freshening up their breath.
Cat grass can be grown in many different ways, including without the use of soil.
In this text, let’s talk all about cat grass and how to grow it without soil.
How to grow cat grass without soil
To grow cat grass soil-less, use a jug filled with horticultural stones and place a piece of paper towel on the top. Place the seeds on the paper towel before filling water below this. Sprouting should happen within a few days, and the seeds are fully grown within 10 days.
Growing cat grass without soil: The basics
Before you start with the process, you will need:
Horticultural gravel or grow stones
Cat grass seed mix
An unbleached paper towel or clean coffee filter
Room temperature water
A bowl or jar (glass or plastic)
Start by arranging the stones in the bottom of your glass jar. I would suggest filling the jar around 3/4 of the way up.
Although there are many planters specifically designed for growing cat grass without soil, I much prefer to use a jar as I think that this method is much cheaper and looks much more pleasing amongst the rest of my houseplants.
Next, lay your clean coffee filter or sheet of paper towel on top of the stones.
If you are choosing to use a paper towel, I found that I got better results by using two sheets and folding them over.
You can then start to place the seeds on that two-sheet layer of paper towel. Arrange a thin layer of seeds on the top, but don’t worry about the seeds overlapping each other.
I also found that soaking my cat grass seeds in water overnight before planting them sped up the germination process.
Next, use room temperature water and fill your jar up to where the paper towel is. Over the course of your cat grass growing, you will need to top up the jar with more water to ensure that you maintain this water level.
I would suggest keeping the jar away from your cat until the cat grass has begun to grow. Depending on how mischievous your cat is, having a jar of water out in the open could cause a messy situation!
If you live in a hard-water area like me, I would suggest filtering the water beforehand to get the best results.
You should only take a few days for your seeds to sprout shoots, and within 10 days they should be ready for your cat to enjoy!
Once the roots have fully formed and your cat grass growing, you no longer need to maintain a high level of water. Simply ensuring that the roots are always moist will be sufficient.
I would suggest placing your jar on a windowsill but don’t worry if you are struggling to find a sunny spot.
Cat grass will grow no matter what the light levels are – you could even place it in a shady location and still get results!
Benefits of growing cat grass without soil
There are lots of benefits to growing cat grass, and even more to growing cat grass without the use of soil.
Cats often use plants not only for added nutrients when they are feeling under the weather, but also to clean and brush their teeth.
The taste is also quite appealing to them, and some even go as far as to purchase cat grass flavored treats for their pets!
For me, placing cat grass in my home and garden created a distraction for my cat, and stopped them from taking nibbles out of my beloved plants.
This is crucial if you own lots of houseplants.
Some plant parents are unaware that even plants such as the ever-popular Monstera and the Peace Lily are actually highly dangerous to pets if consumed.
You can find out the toxicity levels in your plants by visiting the ASCPA website.
A specific benefit of growing cat grass without soil is that it is much more mess-free.
If you are the owner of a quite troublesome cat, you may wake up some mornings to find your plants knocked over and soil spilled all over the place.
Growing cat grass in water means that this problem is much easier to clean up – just be sure to place the jar away from any electronics, just in case!
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Growing Cat Grass Without Soil
Can I grow cat grass even if I don’t have a cat?
Cat grass can still be used for decorative and landscaping purposes, even if you don’t own a cat. Who knows, you might even attract some friendly neighborhood felines in the process!
Will the cat grass grown without soil regrow after being cut?
Once trimmed or nibbled by your cat, the plant should continue to grow for around 2-3 weeks. After this, it will be time to dispose of your cat grass and start again.
What is the difference between cat grass seeds and wheatgrass seeds?
There’s no absolute difference between cat grass and wheatgrass! Typically, cat grass is made up of a mixture of seeds, including wheatgrass, oat grass, barley grass, ryegrass, and much more!
Author Bio
“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.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay
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