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Chewing on grass is a natural behavior for cats, and while they are happy to chew on regular grass, they’re much safer eating cat grass.
So, what is cat grass?
Grab a coffee and allow me to explain what exactly cat grass is and what you need to know about it.
Ready? Let’s get started.
What Is Cat Grass?
Cat grass is usually grown from barley, rye, oat, or wheat seeds and looks very similar to the grass that grows on your lawn but, it’s not the same.
Cat grass is grown with the intention of letting our feline pets eat it when they please and providing a much safe alternative to or backyard lawns.
Many people confuse cat grass with catnip however, catnip’s main difference to cat grass is that it gives our cats a but catnip belongs to the mint family of plants.
The difference between catnip and cat grass is, catnip will produce an exhilarated behavior effect in cats whereas cat grass will have no behavior effect on your cat.
Any good local pet store should have a variety of cat grass seeds to choose from. They should supply everything you need to grow your own grass such as soil, seeds, and a potting container.
Outdoor grass that has been chemically treated with pesticides may not be as safe as indoor cat grass.
Growing your own pesticide-free grass gives your cat a healthy alternative to nibbling on houseplants and flowers, many of which are toxic to them.
You can find a list of toxic plants over at PetMD.
If you’re still unsure, talk to your local vet about what plants are safe to bring home.
Why Do Cats Eat Grass?
There is no solid evidence of exactly why cats eat grass, but there are some theories.
Many animal behaviorists have noted that wild cats will often eat grass after consuming their prey. It’s believed that eating grass would cause a cat to vomit and act as nature’s way of getting rid of any indigestible parts.
A bit gross I know, but even if your domestic cat has never caught any prey, they will naturally gravitate to eating grass.
Grass can also be a healthy source of fiber for our cats, allowing easy digestion and the ability to pass hairballs easier.
Some believe that cats eat grass for its trace minerals, vitamin A and D. Grasses also contain chlorophyll, which, before antibiotics were discovered, was used as a remedy for pain, infection, ulcers, skin disease, and anemia.
The folic acid in the grass also helps create hemoglobin, the protein that facilitates the movement of oxygen throughout the body and helps circulation.
So, while no one truly knows exactly why cats eat grass, knowing what we know about grass, it’s easy to see why they might.
Is Cat Grass Safe
Yes! In fact, it’s good for them however, you shouldn’t let your cat eat regular outdoor grass.
Regular outdoor grass is often treated with weed killers or pesticides. Think about the last time you may have washed your car on the lawn or put down some fertilizer.
Not to mention that common houseplants can be toxic to cats.
Providing your cat with homegrown indoor cat grass will give them the opportunity to act out their natural behavior in a safe manner.
I will say, cats will naturally turn to household plants if no grass is available, so please check that none of your household plants are toxic for your cats and dogs.
How Much Cat Grass Can Cats Eat?
There is no hard limit on how much grass your cat should or shouldn’t eat. Usually, your cat will know when enough is enough.
Most experts recommend that you plant a handful of cat grass seeds at a time. You can then let that sprout and see how it goes from there.
If you have more than one cat, consider giving each one a separate patch of grass so that they don’t compete with each other.
Be sure to monitor your cat’s health and habits after eating any grass.
Consult your veterinarian right away if there is anything unusual about your cat’s behavior.
Don’t get offended if your cat turns their nose up at your freshly grown patch of grass. Not all cats enjoy eating grass.
But hey, at least it will make a nice decoration in the house.
What Type Of Cat Grass Is Best For Cats?
There are many types of cat grass, each providing its own benefits.
For example, indoor cat grass is a great way to reduce hairballs and aid in the digestion of your furry friend.
Below are several types of grass that cats like to eat, all of which are all pretty easy to grow at home.
Alfalfa seedlings
Alfalfa sprouts are probably the most popular form of cat grass.
They are easy to find in almost any grocery store and germinate quickly under a wide variety of conditions.
One tip for growing alfalfa seedlings is to make sure you keep the soil moist at all times.
Wheatgrass
Wheat grasses are probably the most common type of grass grown and another great option that you can easily grow at home.
You can plant your seeds in either soil or water.
Once the grass has sprouted, you will need to thin it out for it to continue to grow.
Oat grass
If you want something other than wheatgrass or alfalfa sprouts, oat grass may be a great choice.
You can buy oat seeds at most grocery stores, you’ll need to water the seeds constantly for about four days before it germinates and sprouts.
Once it does, thin out the grass so that only one seedling remains every few inches.
Barley grass
You can plant barley seeds in your soil outside and let them germinate.
You’ll need to keep the soil consistently watered for four days until the seeds fully germinate.
Once they sprout, you can then transplant them into small containers and move them inside.
Catnip (Cat Grass Alternative)
As you now know, catnip is technically not considered cat grass but, your cat will love you for growing it.
It’s super easy to germinate, just make sure the soil is always moist for the first two weeks.
Catnip also gives off a nice smell that’s irresistible to some cats. Be careful where you choose to plant catnip and don’t be surprised if you find your cat rolling around in the soil afterward.
Even though alfalfa sprouts are usually the safest option for cats, you can try any of the grasses above to help your cat with digestion and reduce hairballs at home.
How To Grow Cat Grass
Cat grass is known as an annual plant, meaning it will require some maintenance to keep it healthy during certain periods.
It’s nothing too complicated so don’t think you have to be a total green thumb to nail it.
As previously mentioned, your local pet supply store should stock cat grass kits. They come with easy to follow directions but here are the basics.
Step 1. Once planted in any type of container you choose (shallow containers work well), seeds should always be kept damped but don’t soak them. Once they sprout you can start to use less water.
Step 2. Wait between 3 – 8 days for seeds to sprout.
Step 3. Continue to water, the grass will be ready for your cat to eat between 10 – 15 days after sprouting. If it reaches 4 inches in height, it’s good to go.
Step 4. Keep the fresh grass in a natural sunny spot, watering daily with a spray bottle.
Step 5. Never overwater the grass.
Step 6. When the grass eventually starts to wilt or change color, it’s time to plant new seeds.
How To Care For Cat Grass
Caring for cat grass is no different from caring for the common household plant. Make sure to water regularly, but never overwater the grass, this can cause mold to appear.
Allow the grass to have natural sunlight and check to see no insects have set up shop in your grass.
It’s best to keep outside grass outside, and grown grass inside.
I’m always cautious about bringing outside plants into the home because they can harbor a number of insects that could contaminate my indoor plants.
The same goes for cat grass, if it’s outside leave it there. It would be far better to start from scratch with uncontaminated seedlings.
Conclusion On Cat Grass
By now you should have a good understanding of what cat grass is.
Growing your own grass is relatively easy and doesn’t require a lot of effort or time. It can be a great treat for your cat and make for a great decoration throughout the home.
I’ve seen many people incorporate cat grass into their cat trees. What an awesome way to get your kitty to use their tree while making it look aesthetically pleasing.
Why not give it a try? Your cat will thank you for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Humans Eat Cat Grass?
Yes, although it’s not a regular on my plate.
Is Cat Grass The Same As Catnip?
No, it’s not. Often confused, catnip belongs to the mint family. It’s a common mistake and not a serious one.
Do Cats Need Cat Grass?
No, cats are obligate carnivores which means they need to eat meat. Some will enjoy eating grass while others will turn their heads at it.
How to grow wheatgrass for cats
Growing wheatgrass for your cats is a great way to provide them with an organic, healthy snack.
It's also perfect for those looking to reduce the amount of food they feed their cats or want to put less strain on their digestive systems.
If you're ready to learn how easy it is to grow this type of grass, read on.
How to grow wheatgrass for cats?
The first step to growing wheatgrass for cats is to soak the seeds overnight.
After soaking, drain them and spread them out on a paper towel or cloth dish napkin to dry overnight.
After your seed is dried, it can be planted in pots filled with good quality potting soil (i like organic).
Plant one seed per container about an inch deep into the soil and keep moist.
You can also use a spray bottle to mist them daily, so they don't dry out.
After the wheatgrass starts sprouting, you need to thin it by removing some of the plants to be about an inch between them.
Once your cat grass has several inches tall, you can start harvesting small amounts for your cat.
As the wheatgrass continues to grow, you can use scissors or a knife to cut it at about one-inch height for your cat's consumption.
Cutting the fresh grass daily will ensure that your cats are getting maximum nutrition from their cat grass.
If you have larger containers of soil with several plants growing, then you can let your cat graze on the grass for up to a few hours.
Make sure you don't give them too much wheatgrass in one sitting since it is very rich in nutrients and vitamins.
This will cause digestive issues like bloating or diarrhea.
Watering your wheatgrass should be done at least once a day.
If you live in an area where it is very hot and dry, then watering twice a day may be necessary to keep the soil moist at all times.
Fertilize your wheatgrass once a week with an organic fertilizer.
This will ensure that your cat grass has the proper nutrients and vitamins to keep it healthy and growing properly for your cats.
Also, make sure that you are not taking all of it when harvesting fresh cat grass daily.
Leave several inches of wheatgrass so your plants can continue to grow and provide fresh cat grass for your feline's consumption.
How do you prepare the soil for growing wheatgrass for cats?
Soil is what you should prepare before planting wheatgrass.
Wheatgrass grows best in loose, well-drained soil rich with organic matter and has a pH of around seven (neutral).
You can mix your garden compost or use store-bought potting soil as long as it contains peat moss and perlite to keep the soil loose and full of air pockets.
When do you grow wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass is best grown indoors in the wintertime.
If you live in a climate where it's warm year-round, you can grow your wheatgrass outdoors for most of the year and bring it inside during colder months.
Wheatgrass also grows very well with artificial light when there isn't enough natural light available.
How do you propagate wheatgrass?
You can start by purchasing a container of wheatgrass seeds.
You should be able to find the seeds at any pet store or even your local grocery store.
The containers will need soil, water, and sunlight for them to grow properly.
Place the container on a tray or saucer that will catch any water that may drain from the bottom of your container.
Then, pour water into it until you see some draining out of the holes in the bottom of your container.
Pour off half after all drainage has stopped and replaced with new water.
Repeat this step until there is no water coming out of your container.
Place the wheatgrass in a window that will get sunlight for at least five hours each day.
If you do not have access to natural light, place it under one of your artificial grow lights.
How much light does wheatgrass need?
Wheatgrass has a very high photosynthesis rate, so that it can be grown in low light areas.
It does best with six hours of sunlight every day.
How do you water wheatgrass?
You can water wheatgrass a few ways, but leaving it in a glass of water overnight is the easiest way.
This allows for excess pulp and trash from your seeds to float away while also hydrating the grass itself so that you have more juice leftover as opposed to just dry seeds on top of some stale-tasting water.
Another way to do it would be to soak your seeds, pulp and all, in a small amount of liquid for some time before planting them or even eating them raw (if they're organic).
However, this method might take longer because you don't want the grass itself drowning while trying to get rid of the pulp.
How do you fertilize wheatgrass?
Fertilizing wheatgrass is not necessary because it grows quickly even without added nutrients.
If you fertilize, dilute your fertilizer to half strength and apply once per week until plants are established (usually after the first four weeks).
You can fertilize your wheatgrass at any time during its growing cycle.
However, it is recommended to start with a half-strength solution once weekly until the grass becomes established (usually after four weeks).
After that point, you may up the dosage as needed.
If you see signs of nitrogen deficiency, including yellowing or curling leaves, you can fertilize more frequently.
How long does it take to grow wheatgrass for cats?
Wheatgrass usually takes about ten days to grow.
However, it depends on the temperature of your home and how often you water it.
Make sure that you give about two teaspoons full for every cat in your household.
Conclusion
It is difficult to say which way of growing wheatgrass for cats will be the best.
You can try different methods and choose the one that seems most convenient for you.
If you are not sure about starting this project, it would be wise to ask your vet what they think before making any choices.
There is an endless number of benefits for your cat in growing wheatgrass.
It is nutritious, has no chemicals that are dangerous to cats, and can also be used as a training tool when you want the cat to do something specific on the grass before entering the house.
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