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Best Seeds For Cat Grass
By Cheryl Lock
Just because your cat loves her chicken, beef, and tuna meals doesn’t mean she wouldn’t also love to sink her teeth into something a little more green and leafy. That’s where cat grass comes in. “I like it as a micro nutrient source for cats,” says Mark Waldrop, DVM, of the Nashville Cat Clinic. “It can add insoluble fiber, which can help with hair balls, and it’s a good environmental enrichment for cats.”
Although some people use the terms catnip and cat grass interchangeably, cat grass typically refers to a mix of oat, rye, barley, and wheat grasses, according to the Humane Society.
Keep in mind that if you will be growing cat grass indoors, it can be hard for kitties to distinguish the difference between what they can and should eat (the cat grass you’re so lovingly growing), and other plants and flowers that may be toxic to them (like these). Never keep poisonous plants or flowers in an area where your cat can easily get to and ingest them.
How to Grow Cat Grasses
If you like the idea of growing your own cat grass, fear not — you don’t necessarily need to have a green thumb to do so. “Cat grass is pretty simple to grow,” said Waldrop. “Drop the seeds in soil and add water. Keep the soil moist and in ten days or so offer it to your cat. I recommend [growing in] a low, heavy container, as they will be less likely to get knocked over.”
To start your garden off on the right foot — and to keep it thriving — the Humane Society suggests the following specific tips:
Fill your heavy container about ¾ full of loose potting soil and sprinkle your seeds of choice evenly over the surface, then cover with about ¼-inch of soil.
Cover the container loosely with plastic wrap and keep it at room temperature and away from direct sunlight, ensuring to keep the soil moist with a spray bottle as it feels dry.
When sprouts appear in a few days, remove the covering and move the pot to a sunny spot, continuing to water as the soil feels dry to the touch. They recommend offering the grass to your cat when it’s approximately 3 to 4 inches tall.
As the grass wilts (typically in a few weeks), pull out the shoots and plant more seeds. To keep the rotation steady for your cat, try planting several pots a week or two apart.
Which Grasses Are Best for Cats?
While you can’t really go wrong with any of the different types of cat grass you’ll find available in pet stores, Waldrop says he prefers to see his clients grow alfalfa grass, as it’s been shown to help with preventing and treating kidney disease in cats.
Oat is also a great choice, he said, because it acts as a digestive aid to calm the intestinal tract, is high in protein and soluble fiber, and contains levels of iron, manganese, zinc, and B vitamins. (Learn more about the power of oats here.)
For specific questions about your pet’s diet, always consult with your veterinarian.
What to Watch Out For
Cat grasses grown inside are an easy and safe way to provide your cat with healthy treats that you can monitor, but be aware that over time these types of plants can develop mold, said Waldrop, especially if they’re overwatered. “I recommend starting a new batch from scratch if this occurs,” he said.
In terms of quantity, most cats will just nibble at the tops of the grass, says Waldrop, so if you keep it watered the plant should continue to come back and last for a while.
An additional concern Waldrop mentioned is that if your cat appears to be devouring your cat grass at every opportunity, or you notice that your garden is vanishing after only a week or two of being made available to your kitty, you may want to consult your vet to determine if additional changes need to be made to your cat’s diet.
Cat grass is usually grown from the seeds of rye, barley, oats, or wheat and is used for your cat’s digestion. It is very easy to grow this herb in your house, even without soil. In just a few days, your kitty will have his own organic little nook to snack on safely.
5 Things To Know About Cat Grass
1. What’s the difference between cat grass and catnip?
People sometimes confuse cat grass with catnip, but they are definitely not the same thing!
Cat grass refers to young shoots that cats can eat, while catnip is inedible and causes strange effects on your feline. The latter is found in many cat toys for its stimulating effect. So, unless your feline is insensitive to it, offer him an accessory with catnip and observe his behavior: he may roll, rub, sniff intensely, purr, etc. In fact, he is likely to act euphorically like he is under the influence of a drug. However, it is an intense moment of joy and well-being for your kitty, which, by the way, is totally natural!
2. A natural digestive
Cats groom themselves every day to maintain their beautiful coat, and, in the process, they swallow a lot of dead hairs. Once in their stomachs, their hairs can clump together and form hairballs that can be less easy to digest or regurgitate. Besides, during the molting period, the risks associated with hairballs are much greater.
So, what’s the point of cat grass? Fresh grass shoots are rich in fiber and vitamins to help stimulate intestinal transit and help keep it working. If your cat tends to be bothered by their furballs, cat grass is a great ally to help them eliminate them naturally.
3. Great substitute for your houseplants
If your cat tends to attack your plants, now is the time to act! Unfortunately, many plants are poisonous, even fatal, to cats, which can be extremely dangerous if ingested. In addition to placing them in high places in inaccessible places, you can also offer cat grass to your feline to divert its attention from your houseplants. Without any risk to his health, on the contrary, you can let him feast as he wishes.
4. An essential treat for indoor cats
If you have a house cat, he has little or no access to the outdoors and therefore cannot relish fresh grass to purge himself and improve digestion. In addition, they are often much less active than outdoor cats, which can affect their bowel movements. Indeed, moving will stimulate the latter, which is why it is not uncommon for apartment cats to suffer from episodes of constipation. Thus, offering him free access to a pot of cat grass can only be beneficial.
See also: How to Grow Cat Grass: Tips for Indoor & Outdoor Growing
5. Taking care of cat grass is a snap
If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry! Cat grass is a decorative plant that is very easy and fast to grow. You can buy a ready-made tray that you just need to water, or you can buy seeds that you can plant in a jar or pot. No need for a large garden either, since it is a plant that can live perfectly in an apartment or on a balcony.
5 Steps To Growing Cat Grass Without Soil
1. Gather the material
To grow cat grass without soil, you will need: Glass jar or small plastic container
Glass jar or small plastic container Cat Grass Growing Pebbles
Cat Grass Growing Pebbles Paper towels or a coffee filter
Paper towels or a coffee filter Cat grass seeds
Cat grass seeds Filtered water
2. Prepare the seeds
Rinse the cat grass seeds and soak them in water overnight.
3. Prepare the jar or plastic container
Fill the container with about ⅔ full of growing pebbles. Cover the stones with a paper towel or coffee filter. Scatter a thin layer of seeds directly on the paper or filter.
4. Add a little water
Slowly fill the container with water, until the paper and the thin layer of seeds are slightly submerged in water. Do not completely cover the seeds to the point that they start to float.
5. Place the pot in medium sunlight
The area should neither be too dark nor receive direct sunlight. Regularly moisten the stones and the paper, so that they do not dry out.
Final Thoughts
If you follow these simple steps, you will see the first shoots appear in just a few days, and a mature plant in about 10 days. Now, all you have to do is install the pot in your beloved kitty’s little indoor heaven!
Featured Image Credit: ja-aljona, Shutterstock
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