The Benefits of Cat Grass for Your Feline Friend

As cat owners, we are well aware that our cats are carnivores, requiring meat in order to achieve a balanced diet and meet their dietary needs. What you may not realize is that your cat can also benefit by adding some greens into the mix. I’m not talking about adding lettuce or spinach to their kitty dish. The easiest solution to keep your cat happy and healthy is to explore the benefits of cat grass.

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I WILL EARN A COMMISSION IF YOU PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE.

If you’ve never heard of cat grass, it is a safe, non-toxic grass marketed to pet owners. Designed to be grown indoors, the seeds often include wheat, barley, oats and/or rye.

Unlike much of the grass grown outdoors, this grass is free from pesticides.

In fact, if you are purchasing a cat grass kit from your favourite pet retailer, you will be growing the cat grass yourself. This means that you will know exactly what the grass has been exposed to, allowing you to keep your cat safe and healthy!

Does your cat regularly get into your house plants? You’re not alone! In an attempt to fill that desire for greens, many cats resort to nibbling on whatever plants are accessible.

While these plants may be pretty to display in your home, not every houseplant is safe for consumption! By growing and providing cat grass, you can redirect your cat to a safer alternative. For more information about poisonous houseplants, you can read THIS comprehensive list from the ASPCA.

Types of Cat Grass

Many commercially available cat grass kits will contain a variety of different seeds, creating a mixture when it is grown. Each variety has its own advantages, meaning that you may want to select a seed mixture that includes a specific grass if it best fits your home situation.

The most common varieties of cat grass include:

• Wheatgrass: Arguably one of the most common cat grasses on the market, wheatgrass is reliable and easy to grow. Not only will this benefit your cat, but you can also share the garden with your cat, incorporating wheatgrass shots into your own diet!

• Rye Grass: Another highly durable grass, rye grass is super flexible. This means that it is the ideal option for a cat that may enjoy not only nibbling on their grass treat but also lounging in their own patch of greenery.

• Barley Grass: If you are sharing your home with multiple cats, barley grass is the way to go. This variety is best noted for how quickly it grows, meaning that your cats won’t have to wait as long.

• Oat Grass: If you have a cat that regularly suffers from hairballs, this may be your best option. This specific variety is packed with both soluble fibre and protein, which can help your cat to easily pass the fur they are ingesting while grooming through their digestive track without allowing it to build up.

Benefits of Cat Grass

Many cat owners believe that a cat will only eat grass when they are sick, however, this is just a myth. Not only are there are a number of great health-related benefits of cat grass, most cats simply enjoy the green treat.

Cat grass is packed with folic acid, contained in the juices of the grass. This is an important vitamin to your cat’s overall health and well-being. It assists the body in the production of an important protein called hemoglobin, which transports oxygen through the bloodstream.

A reduced level of hemoglobin in the blood can result in anemia and lead to a number of health complications related to a lack of oxygen in the body.

It should be noted, however, that cat grass is NOT a substitute to proper veterinary care. If you suspect that your cat is suffering from the signs and symptoms of anemia, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

Cat grass has also been found to contain B vitamins and niacin, essential vitamins for your cat’s health.

Another great benefit, adding cat grass to your cat’s regular diet can improve their digestion. Packed with fibre, the grass can speed up the overall digestion process.

It can also work as a natural laxative, helping the body to pass any indigestible substances they may have eaten. Alternatively, it can induce vomiting, allowing the cat to safely expel these substances. This is where the myth of the sick cat got its start!

Is your cat a mouser? If so, cat grass can play an important role in his/her health.

Not all parts of their prey can be broken down by their digestive system. It is believed that the instinct to consume grass is actually hardwired in a cat for this reason, even if they have never caught a bird or a mouse before.

While no cat owner wants to clean up vomit, it is preferred to health complications from an obstruction!

How to Grow Cat Grass at Home

If you’re not a skilled gardener, don’t fret! Commercially available cat grass kits are designed to be incredibly easy-to-follow for cat owners everywhere.

These kits can easily be purchased online and delivered right to your door. For some great examples that I personally recommend, check out the Hagen Catit Senses 2.0 Grass Kit from Pets Warehouse or  the Priscilla’s Pet Products Cat Grass Kit from Amazon.

Before the seeds sprout, they should be kept damp but be cautious about giving too much water. They should never be soaked. It will take, on average, 3 to 7 days for your seeds to sprout.

Once the seeds have sprouted, they will require even less water. Using a spray bottle, spritz the cat grass daily and ensure that you are providing it with access to sunlight. Avoid overwatering as this can lead to the development of mould.

After approximately 10 to 14 days, your cat grass should be tall enough for your cat to enjoy! You don’t need to cut the grass or ‘serve it’ to your cat in any fancy manner. Simply make your freshly grown cat grass available to your cat right in the container and he/she will help themselves.

Watch for your grass to wilt or turn colour. This is the sign that it’s time to plant a new container, as this specific batch is now past it’s prime.

Caution: Signs to Watch For

If you notice that your cat is eating a large quantity of cat grass rather than just nibbling at the cat grass, or that they vomit every time that they ingest the grass, this is a sign that there’s a medical condition that needs to be addressed.

Your cat may be suffering from a blockage somewhere in their digestive tract, eating the grass in an attempt to unclog their system. Contact your veterinarian immediately.

Do you currently grow cat grass for your cat? If so, I’d love to hear your experiences!