Why Do Cats Eat Grass?
Most cat owners know that their cats enjoy the old nibble of grass. Cats naturally eat grass because it plays a vital role in their health including relieving constipation and acting as a natural stress relief. It is also essential as it aids digestion. It may seem unusual to see your cat eating grass especially since they are obligate carnivores and require a steady diet of meat to thrive. Cats also do not have proper enzymes that are necessary for processing vegetation properly. However, it is completely fine for cats to eat grass. Here is why cats eat grass:
9 Reasons Why Cats Eat Grass
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Contains Vital Nutrients
One of the reasons why cats eat grass is because grass contains trace elements of Vitamins A and D as well as folic acid. This vitamin is essential and is similar to the one found in a cat’s mother’s milk and supports growth and also increases the level of oxygen in blood making it a valuable addition to your feline’s diet. The vitamin also helps with digestion. It also contains chlorophyll which is an old remedy for infection, ulcers, pain, skin diseases, and anemia. It is therefore useful particularly after catching and eating prey.
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Makes Cats Vomit
An explanation for why cats eat grass is grass help felines vomit. Cats do not have enzymes to digest large amounts of vegetable matter like grass but can regulate how much they consume so that they eat what is enough to make themselves sick. Vomiting enables them to purge fur, parasites, feathers, bones, and anything else that might be irritating their digestive tract or that might lead to on-going illnesses from their systems.
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Felines enjoy the Taste of Grass
Wild and domestic cats enjoy quite a bit of grass as they are not designed to eat it. If they lack access to it, they can be found nibbling house plants, wires, and fabric which could lead to serious problems for both your stress levels and the cat. Take some time to investigate the sort of indoor and outdoor plants that are poisonous to cats so that you avoid having them in your house and garden and encourage your furry friend to eat grass.
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Hunt Grass
Another reason why cats eat grass is entertainment. You may have noticed your feline companion transfixed by blades of grass blowing in the breeze. She might be jumping at those wavy blades and bat them then chomping them. This means that the cat is having fun. And because it is harmless, let your cat do it.
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Helps with Stomach Upset
The other apologia of why cats eat grass is grass helps alleviate stomach upset. Cats are prone to ingesting hairballs when self-grooming. Narrow leafed grass settles the cats’ stomach in case she is feeling a bit queasy. This is because cats tend to throw up after eating green, as they lack the appropriate enzymes needed to digest it.
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Laxative Effect of Broad-Leafed Grass
Another justification of why cats east grass is the cathartic effect grass has. It is especially useful for maintaining bowel movement making sure that fur and other waste matter is removed from your cat’s system.
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Anxiety
A pup may partake in stress eating or emotional eating when anxious. As a result, a cat may eat grass not to relieve hunger needs but to relieve anxiety or satisfy an oral fixation. When anxious, a cat may engage in something to chew on to soothe themselves and if the grass is nearby it will take a bite. If your kitty is chewing excessively on grass or household plants, it could be an indicator of stress.
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Contains Fiber
Grass contains so much indigestible cellulose which is also known as fiber that cats eat to help keep their digestive tracts in good working condition. Constipation is a common cat problem just as it is for human beings. It is possible that cats self-medicate with grass to alleviate an overfull colon. If you notice that your four-legged friends haven’t pooped in more than a day or two, or if she is straining in the litter box, consult your vet.
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Instinctual Behavior to Keep Parasites Under Control
Cat eating grass is instinctual. Eating non-digestible plants is a common tactic used by meat eaters to keep the number of parasitic worms in their intestinal tract to a load that is tolerable. Grass-eating cats may be probably simply doing what their ancestors have always done to help themselves live to see another day, although most well-loved household cats already enjoy a parasite-free life.
See Also: Best Dry Cat Foods.
Types of Cat Grass
- Wheatgrass. This is jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It is very beneficial to cats
- Oat Grass. It tastes mildly sweet and is more flavorful compared to other types of cat grass. It is besides a good source of proteins and contains soluble fiber that helps greatly in digestion.
- Ryegrass. This is a type of grass that is more flexible and durable. It makes the perfect type of grass for cats who enjoy lounging while they nibble.
- Barley grass. These are sweet, tender greens that are rich in essential nutrients and a good source of fiber which aids in digestion.
Is it Safe for Cats to Eat Grass?
Many cat parents make the mistake of preventing their cats from eating grass. They do so because they believe that grass could result in their beloved cats becoming sick. However, cats eating grass is completely safe as long as they eat it in moderation, and as long as the grass hasn’t been treated with any pesticides or herbicides. There is no reason to stop your furry friend from enjoying some greens. However, if your cat eats a lot of grass, it could get stuck inside its nasal chambers resulting in excessive sneezing. If this happens, you need to contact your vet immediately to have it removed manually.
Ensure that all your household plants are non-toxic if your feline has a habit of snacking on plants and grass. There are certain popular houseplants such as Lilies which are poisonous to cats and can lead to a mild severe reaction. If your cat swallows a poisonous plant, always make sure that you take them to the vet for treatment. Grass found outdoors might have been treated with chemicals such as fertilizers that are harmful to your kitty. It is therefore important to always remember that not all grass is the same and so you need to be careful of what you feed your cat.
To ensure that your cat is only eating grass that is safe and non-poisonous, you can buy pots of cat grass that will give your four-legged friend their patch to graze on. This not only satisfies their need to munch but also prevents them from chomping on your favorite and much-loved houseplants.
Read About: Best Canned Cat Food.
When Should You be Concerned?
- When your kitty seems to be eating unusually large amounts of grass or eating grass every day and throwing up a lot.
- In the event, you believe that your feline companion has eaten contaminated grass with chemicals or has eaten another plant that could be poisonous to her.
- If you notice your cat nibbling on a lot of things that have no nutritional value such as fabric, wires, and paper. This could be because the fact has dental problems, bored, or might be suffering from some other medical or psychological disorder.
How to Grow Grass of Your Own
- Put some potting compost into a pot
- Sprinkle with grass
- Put water in the pot
- Cover with a plastic bag and put in place that is warm and sunny
- Keep it covered until the grass starts to sprout then uncover
- Let the grass grow to a couple of inches long before giving it to your furry friend
- Once it has been nibbled down, leave it on the sunny window and water it again until it becomes long again. Offering it to your cat when it’s too short might cause her to tear it out by the roots and there will be nothing to grow back.
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How to Care For Cat Grass
- Ensure that you leave it out of direct sunlight as much as it needs sunlight to grow well. Placing it in direct sunlight could lead to overexposure, resulting in death. So, place it in a place with plenty of sunlight but away from direct sunlight.
- Choose an appropriate container size that provides ample space for the grass to grow properly. Also, ensure that you get a container that your kitty feels comfortable approaching and eating from
- Keep the cat grass in an area with a temperature between 16 to 19 degrees Celsius
- Avoid overwatering as this can cause mold growth. To prevent it, mist the soil with a small spray bottle once a day to keep it moist and not wet.
Conclusion
Cats eating grass is beneficial for them. However, the grass should be eaten in moderate amounts so that it doesn’t cause problems. For anyone who didn’t know why cats eat grass or anyone who didn’t understand the reasons why they do so, the above explanations will give a better understanding of why these mysterious cats eat grass. It is also important to ensure that the grass that cats consume is clean and non-poisonous.
See Also Growing A Home Garden For Your Pet.