Final Up to date on: September 13, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Cats are obligate carnivores, however they’ll nonetheless profit from consuming small quantities of plant-based meals. Whereas catnip could take middle stage for plant-based cat merchandise, cat grass is one other plant product that may be wholesome for cats to eat.
Cat grass isn’t a selected species of grass. Fairly, it’s composed of a mix of a number of several types of crops which might be secure for cats to eat, together with alfalfa, barley, oat, rye, and wheat. Feeding cat grass to cats could be good for his or her well being, and it’s additionally straightforward to develop by yourself. Listed below are some methods your cat could profit from consuming cat grass.
The 6 Causes to Develop Cat Grass:
1. Helps With Digestion
Grain grasses are a superb supply of fiber that your cat could not be capable to get from animal protein.1 Consuming slightly additional soluble fiber will help enhance digestion and help intestine well being. It might additionally assist alleviate minor gastrointestinal points, like occasional diarrhea.
Cats with persistent constipation could profit from consuming extra fiber. So, in case your cat is susceptible to sure digestive points, it doesn’t damage to seek the advice of your veterinarian and see if cat grass is a viable pure treatment.
2. Helps With Hairballs
Whereas there are lots of lovable issues about cats, coughing up hairballs isn’t one in every of them. It’s regular for cats to regurgitate a hairball each couple of weeks, however it might probably develop into a extra vital difficulty if the frequency will increase.2
Whereas cat grass might not be the silver bullet to hairballs, it might probably actually assist cats throw up hairballs extra simply. Typically, it might probably act like a laxative to assist cats digest them.3
3. Protected Various to Out of doors Grass
Cat grass could be notably useful for out of doors cats which have developed a behavior of consuming grass whereas they roam exterior. You simply by no means understand how unsafe grass grown exterior could be. They are often handled with pesticides which might be poisonous to your cat, and your cat might nonetheless eat them unknowingly.
Whereas cats usually simply graze the highest of the grass, some could paw all the way down to the basis and get grime of their mouths. This might probably make them eat intestinal parasites and find yourself with a major an infection. Rising your individual cat grass provides extra management and security to what your cat eats and enormously reduces the chance of illness and infections.
4. Deter Cats from Chewing Houseplants
Some cats can develop a behavior of chewing on houseplants for a wide range of causes. They might eat them out of boredom or just benefit from the texture and style. Whereas there are houseplants which might be secure and non-toxic to cats, there are additionally numerous fashionable houseplants that produce toxins which might be unsafe for them to eat.
Having cat grass within the house can present cats with a secure different to houseplants. They will additionally assist shield your houseplants from injury brought on by biting and clawing.
5. Further Supply of Nutritional vitamins and Minerals
Whereas cat grass can’t change a good portion of your cat’s traditional food regimen, your cat can profit from consuming a bit extra nutritional vitamins and minerals from cat grass. Relying on the kind of grass, your cat could get some additional nutritional vitamins A and D. Grass can comprise folic acid, which helps enhance and help wholesome blood circulation. The chlorophyll present in grass could assist with minor ache alleviation and pores and skin infections. It’s additionally recognized to assist freshen the breath.
6. Protects Cats from Meals Poisoning
Wild cats can generally eat grass or crops after they’ve eaten their prey. The grass can induce vomiting and assist them throw up indigestible components of no matter they’ve eaten. Whereas it’s unlikely your indoor cat has eaten some form of prey with indigestible components, it’s attainable that your cat could really feel slightly queasy after consuming one thing every so often. Consuming some cat grass will help your cat expel one thing that’s making them really feel sick or nauseous and make them really feel higher extra shortly.
Easy methods to Develop Your Personal Cat Grass
Now that you recognize the advantages of cat grass, chances are you’ll be fascinated about rising your individual. The most effective and most secure approach to develop cat grass is by buying a cat grass package. These kits usually comprise blends of cat grass which might be extra palatable to cats. In some instances, you will discover pots of already-grown cat grass at your native pet retailer so as to skip the planting and rising course of.
Cat grass kits normally comprise a mix of seeds, and these seeds are comparatively straightforward to develop. Some kits could advocate soaking the seeds earlier than planting, whereas others will instruct you on to plant the dry seeds in grime after which water them. Be sure to make use of a well-draining container to stop root rot and place the container in a room with loads of daylight.
The seeds ought to sprout inside 3–7 days, and the grass could be eaten about 10 days after sprouting. Be sure to take away any yellow or wilting blades of grass often.
Conclusion
General, your cat can expertise a number of well being advantages from consuming cat grass, and you may even see enhancements in digestion and intestine well being. Cat grass can also be a secure different for cats that get pleasure from chewing on plant leaves. So, in case your cat has a behavior of consuming houseplants or appears like they want extra fiber of their food regimen, it doesn’t damage to introduce them to cat grass.
Featured Picture Credit score: Kashaeva Irina, Shutterstock
Concerning the writer
Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely little one. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to some other. With a ardour to teach the general public about the whole lot, there’s to find out about felines, their conduct, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating positive that every one cats and their homeowners know the significance of aware residing – and loving!
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