Indoor Grass For Cats - Cat-friendly Balcony: Amusing & Safe Decoration Ideas
How To Make A Cat Grass Bed - YouTube.
You may have heard people use the terms “catnip” and “cat grass” interchangeably, but the truth is these are separate plants with different use cases for cats.
We’ll clear up the confusion and show you why offering your cat both types of grasses is best.
What Is Cat Grass?
Cat grass is a nutrient-rich plant. It isn’t a single species of grass. Instead, any of the following grasses can have the “cat grass” label:
Wheat
Barley
Alfalfa
Oat
Rye
Although people typically think of cats as carnivores, they naturally eat grass in the wild.
Scientists are still on the fence about why this is, but several theories exist. Some researchers state that cats eat grass for vitamin A, vitamin D, and chlorophyll. Others believe that cats eat grass after catching prey to help them vomit indigestible animal parts or for it to serve as a natural laxative.
If you have an indoor cat and houseplants, you likely know all too well the battle that can sometimes ensue with trying to prevent your feline from making your plants their dinner.
What Is Catnip?
Catnip goes by the scientific name Nepeta cataria and belongs to the mint family. It induces hilarious responses in your cat, including rolling in, licking, and becoming what some people describe as intoxicated with its scent.
There’s a harmless chemical in catnip called nepetalactone that many scientists believe is why cats go crazy over it.
Cats will often chew or roll on catnip to release more nepetalactone. However, the impact of catnip typically lasts up to only 15 minutes per session that you introduce it to your cat.
Just don’t expect your young kitten to react to catnip; it takes cats up to six months before they become sensitive enough to nepetalactone. Cat nip is also beneficial as it attracts pollinators such as bees to your yard.
Similarities Between Cat Grass and Catnip
There are some notable similarities between cat grass and catnip. The most obvious is that they are both a type of grass and you can grow them in your home. In addition, they are both safe for cats to eat.
Differences Between Cat Grass and Catnip
The most significant differences between cat grass and catnip include the following.
Cat grass:
Isn’t a grass species
Can aid with digestion
Doesn’t come in a dry form
Catnip:
Is ideal for cats with anxiety
Belongs to the mint family
Elicits a euphoric response
Catnip can be an excellent option for helping a cat cope with stress. It causes an immediate response in most cats, turning an otherwise anxious feline into a kitten-like state as they roll around.
Unlike cat grass, you can purchase catnip in a dry form. It’s common to find toys containing catnip. But it’s becoming equally as popular for stores to sell cat grass growing kits in the cat section.
Which Grass Do Cats Prefer?
When you place cat grass and catnip in front of your cat, you can expect them to choose catnip. Nepetalactone gives them a euphoria, so they’ll actively seek it out.
Nevertheless, since nepetalactone temporarily affects cats, they often munch on some cat grass after their catnip high wears off.
Keeping Your Cat Happy and Healthy
Having cat grass and catnip in your home is an excellent option for helping your cat to have good health and fun. However, while it’s wise to give your cat 24/7 access to cat grass, bringing catnip out for short periods will elicit a stronger reaction.
So, we encourage you to buy some cat grass and catnip for your cat. And don’t be surprised if you get as much joy from watching your pet interact with these plants as you do from watching them.
Cats are quirky creatures with many curious habits, but one odd behavior that has long puzzled cat lovers is grass eating. Though indoor-outdoor cats obviously have more access to the green stuff, even indoor cats are known to nibble on blades of grass if they go outside for some fresh air or to explore.
Why Do Cats Eat Grass and Throw Up?
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they are biologically designed to eat a primarily meat-based diet. Although cats can the digest grains, fruits, and vegetables found in commercial cat food, cats are not true omnivores, so plant material like grass would not be part of their diet in the wild.
And it would seem that grass might not agree with a cat’s digestive system since some cats that eat grass promptly throw it up a short while later along with the hair and other indigestible materials.. The reason this happens is that cats absence the required enzymes required to properly digest it,
So why does a cat eat grass?
Theories About Why Cats Eat Grass
The answer eluded scientists for ages, but a recent study may have gotten to the bottom of this feline idiosyncrasy. Before we get to that, let’s recap some of the long-held theories about why cats eat grass.
Nutritional boost: One theory suggests that cats eat grass because they are lacking certain nutrients or enzymes in their diet. Grass does contain folic acid, but the jury is out on the idea that cats intuitively know that they need a top up on folic acid.
Upset stomach relief: Cats sometimes vomit after consuming grass. Another theory about why cats eat grass says that cats know they will throw up after a grass snack, so if they ate something that did not agree with them or are otherwise feeling unwell, they might attempt to induce vomiting by eating grass.
Natural laxative: It’s possible that eating grass could help to ease constipation or aid in hairball removal. Grass contains a lot of fiber, so it could get things moving in the right direction.
A New Theory About Why Cats Eat Grass and Added Benefits
Recently, researchers at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine conducted an online survey of more than 1,000 cat owners asking about their cats’ penchant for eating grass and plants. The findings, presented in summer 2019 at the annual meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology in Bergen, Norway, revealed some interesting facts about cats eating grass.
First, eating plant material is very common: 71 percent of cats in the study nibbled plants at least six times in their life, and 61 percent ate plant material at least 10 times. Another finding was that most cats (91%) were acting normally and did not appear to be sick in the time immediately preceding the grass eating. Of all the cats that ate plant material, only about 27 percent frequently vomited after eating the green stuff.
Based on these results, the researchers hypothesized that cats don’t eat grass as a way to naturally treat an upset stomach. Instead, the scientists believe that cats might instinctually eat grass and other plant matter to rid themselves of intestinal parasites—a behavior that has been observed in wild carnivores and primates. Eating vegetation might trigger the digestive tract to physically expel troublesome parasites.
Is Grass Safe for Cats and How Much Cat Grass Should a Cat Eat?
Whatever the reason, many cats do eat grass on occasion. some cats might even be eating grass every day. But do you need to be concerned if your cat nibbles on the green stuff now and again?
Yes and no…
Eating grass can cause mild stomach upset, which is why some cats vomit after eating grass, but grass in and of itself is not generally dangerous to cats. In fact, the right type of grass is even considered a safe and nutritious snack for cats.
However, the danger comes from what might be on the grass your cat is consuming. Lawn fertilizer, weed killer, pesticides, and other chemicals used on lawns can be very dangerous to your cat, even in small amounts.
What To Do If Your Cat Eats Grass?
If your cat eats grass in your yard, keep an eye on her to make sure she isn’t displaying any signs of illness. This is especially important if you use any chemicals on your lawn like fertilizer, herbicides (weed killer) or pesticides.
If your cat throws up after eating grass, make note of how many times she vomits.
Call your veterinarian if she keeps throwing up, or if she is displaying other symptoms like diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy (no energy), seizures, tremors, foaming at the mouth or any other signs of illness.
Other Plants And Flowers
Although grass is not dangerous for cats to eat, other plants are very toxic to cats. Cats that like to eat grass might also try to munch on houseplants and flowers, which can have deadly results.
Some plants cause mild issues in cats like mouth irritation or stomach upset; others can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea, seizures, kidney failure and death.
Many plants and flowers are toxic to cats, but some of the most dangerous include all types of lilies, autumn crocus, azaleas, rhododendrons, oleander, cyclamen and daffodils. Keep only non-toxic plants, greenery and flowers in your home.
If you suspect your cat may have eaten part of a toxic plant or flower (or even just licked water from the vase of a dangerous plant), contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control hotline right away.
How Cats Can Eat Grass Safely?
If your cat likes to eat grass, but you’re worried about her consuming dangerous lawn chemicals, you might consider purchasing some special grass for your cat to safety snack on. Cat grass (sometimes called kitty grass) is a safe grass blend meant to be grown indoors.
Lightly water the grass container, put it near a window for indirect sunlight and let it sprout. Your cat will love munching the grass that grows, and you can rest easy knowing it doesn’t contain any dangerous chemicals.
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