Pampas Grass Pictures : Prairie Plains Prairies Shortgrass Grasslands Pampas Zone General Landscape Quia Spring Open Shelledy Retrieved November Figure K12 Mesa
Firecracker Plant For Sale, Mulch Masters Jacksonville FL.
cat image by matko from Fotolia.com
Although cats are carnivores, eating grass is normal feline behavior. However, some common houseplants such as oleander, aloe, azalea and lily can poison cats. Provide cats with grasses that will help their digestion to satisfy their need for fiber. Pet stores often carry grass that has been specially manufactured for cat consumption.
Benefits of Eating Grass Cats are carnivores, but they sometimes eat green plants. Doctors Foster and Smith suggests that cats used to get their fiber from the digestive tract contents of their grass-eating prey in the wild. Plants provide cats with dietary fiber to smooth bowel movements and help with weight control. Fiber also helps cats vomit and get rid of accumulated fur balls. Besides making the cat's environment more attractive, providing grass also helps cats become healthier. Although cats are carnivores, eating grass is normal feline behavior.
Provide cats with grasses that will help their digestion to satisfy their need for fiber.
Healthy Grasses Wheat grass contains chlorophyll, carotene, antioxidant vitamins and minerals to help cats develop healthy blood and muscle tissue. Other animals such as dogs, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs and reptiles also often eat wheat grass as a healthy dietary addition. Other grasses that are healthy for cats include rye, oat and barley. Catnip, catmint, cat thyme and valerian are not grasses, but they are safe plants for cats to eat. Besides growing plants, you can also add lettuce or parsley to your cat's food bowl to help meet its fiber needs.
Commercial Products Pet stores often sell a product called cat grass. It contains grass seeds that are healthier than turfgrass for cats. The mix usually contains common oats, although it also sometimes contains wheat and rye grass. Cat grass grows well indoors any time of the year. Prepare a container that measures 6 to 8 inches in diameter and fill it with fresh potting soil. Sprinkle the seeds over the surface of the potting soil and cover lightly with soil. Add water and provide bright light. When the leaf blades reach a height of 2 inches, place it where the cat will find it. Wheat grass contains chlorophyll, carotene, antioxidant vitamins and minerals to help cats develop healthy blood and muscle tissue.
Catnip, catmint, cat thyme and valerian are not grasses, but they are safe plants for cats to eat.
This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.
This post contains affiliate links. Read more here. Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
You may have seen small grassy containers at the pet store and wondered why anyone would need grass for their pet.
Turns out, eating green leafy plants is actually an extremely common behavior for both wild and domestic cats, despite their carnivore diet. Many cats love to eat grass and need it for their digestion, which has inspired many cat owners to cultivate their own cat grass.
What is cat grass?
“Cat grass” is grass that’s safe for cats, typically grown from rye, barley, oat, wheat, or alfalfa seeds. Cat grass looks a lot like the grass on your lawn, but it’s not.
It’s important to note here that cat grass is not catnip, which is a member of the mint family. The difference between catnip and cat grass is that catnip produces a euphoric, behavioral effect in cats.
Cat grass, on the other hand, is packed with antioxidants, chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that promote cat health, plus fiber to support digestion.
Why do cats like cat grass?
Nibbling on grass is a natural behavior for all cats. Many cats enjoy the feeling of chewing on grasses, but cat grass may also provide benefits that their carnivore diets lack.
According to VetStreet, eating grass may help cats settle their stomach or dispel things that their body can’t digest. Cats don’t have the necessary stomach enzymes to digest grass, which is why some cats may vomit shortly after actually eating grass. This can help clear their stomachs of fur, feathers, intestinal parasites, or bones from the prey they may have caught. Even though it makes them vomit, they’re eating grass on purpose.
Benefits of cat grass:
Relieves indigestion
Natural laxative
Parasite prevention
Aids in removing hairballs
Provides vitamins and minerals
Mental stimulation
Where can you get cat grass?
For your indoor or indoor/outdoor cat, cat grass is usually available in small packs at your local pet store. You may also consider growing your own. You can find a variety of cat grass kits as seeds or starts at Amazon or Chewy. Cat grass is easy to care for and grows quickly. One highly-rated cat grass kit is this organic pet grass kit that grows in just five to seven days.
How easy is it to grow?
Cat grass is relatively easy to grow. If you’re starting from seeds, all you’ll need to provide is water and sunlight, and within about one week, your cat will have their very own organic garden for safe, healthy nibbling.
Cat grass is grown indoors for your cat. If you live in an apartment and your cat does not have access outside, your cat may chew on household plants instead, which can be dangerous if you have poisonous houseplants.
How to grow cat grass
Follow the directions of your cat grass kit, which will look a bit like the following, according to PetMD:
Keep seeds damp, but not soaked with water.
It should take three days to a week for seeds to sprout. Once the seeds begin to sprout, use less water.
After about 10 to 14 days after sprouting, the grass should be about 4 inches tall, and you can give your cat access to the grass. Your cat can eat directly from the container.
The grass will last between a week and three weeks if you give it natural light and daily watering.
Be careful to follow instructions for watering. Too much water can cause mold.
When the grass begins wilting or changing color, start the process over again by planting a new container.
Should your cat have constant access?
Your cat grass patch should be kept in a place separate from household plants to not confuse your cat. It can be hard for cats to distinguish the difference between what they can eat and what they can’t. Never keep poisonous plants or flowers in an area where your cat can easily get to.
Your cat can have constant access to their cat grass, but you should keep an eye on their behavior. Cats should only ingest a small amount of this nutrient-rich treat at a time. If your cat is constantly vomiting, you should consider relocating their cat grass and only allowing access occasionally.
If your cat appears to be devouring your cat grass at every opportunity, you may want to consult your vet to determine if additional changes need to be made to your cat’s diet.
Cat grass also isn’t the only way to get your cat additional fiber. For example, you can purchase treats with added green fiber like these treats from Bell Rock Growers.
More on cat health
Firecracker Plant For Sale, Mulch Masters Jacksonville FL
mulchmasters.comfirecracker plant care jacksonville.
Mini Pine Bark Deco Nuggets For Sale, Mulch Masters Jacksonville FL
mulchmasters.comnuggets bark pine mini deco benefits.
Bobcats - The North American Bobcat | Conservation Status, Groups
bigcatswildcats.combobcat cats north bobcats lying cat american conservation ears spotted slideshow grass status tail brown.
Camellia Sasanqua For Sale, Mulch Masters Jacksonville FL
mulchmasters.comcamellia sasanqua care.
Boho Pampas Grass Wedding With Mauve, Neutrals, And Blush. Floral By
www.pinterest.compampas.
The Pampas And Prairies
teganbiomes-grasslands.weebly.comprairie plains prairies shortgrass grasslands pampas zone general landscape quia spring open shelledy retrieved november figure k12 mesa.
17 Best Images About Med. & Small Wildcats On Pinterest | Kittens
www.pinterest.comkodkod melanistic geoffroy margay guina pampas.
Grasses Having A Moment | Plant Lust
plantlust.com.
Viburnam Odo For Sale, Mulch Masters Jacksonville FL
mulchmasters.comviburnam odo viburnum odoratissimum care.