Tired of your feline friend nipping away at your prized houseplant collection? Or perhaps you’re thinking of ways to diversify your cat’s nutrition? Either way, give cat grass a try—we’ll tell you all about it in the meantime!
Why Cat Grass?
Although cats are obligate carnivores, meaning that meat is an irreplaceable foundation of their diet, they do sometimes specifically seek out plants to munch on. There’s a variety of reasons for this: getting fiber to aid digestion, supplementing nutrients rare in non-plant sources, facilitating hairball expulsion, or even just for the taste alone. Usually, the term “cat grass” refers to seedlings of grains such as oat, wheat, millet, or—well, cat grass (Dactylis glomerata). Unlike a large share of other plants, they’re vitamin-rich, cheap, and most importantly—perfectly fine for a cat to eat. Many pet stores sell sprouted, ready-to-eat grass, but it’s fairly easy to grow it at home if you choose to do so.
Growing Cat Grass
What you’ll need to start are suitable grain seeds and a container for sprouting them (such as a plastic tray, a dish, or a regular pot). Soak the seeds in water for a few hours, then decide on whether or not you want to plant them in soil—some cats are keen on ripping entire seedlings out to eat instead of just nibbling at their tips, which can result in a bit of a mess if they end up spreading the potting mix around the house. If this doesn’t sound like much of an issue, soak the soil in your container with some warm water and spread the seeds on top, then cover them with another layer of soil about 0.5 in (1–2 cm) thick. Cover the whole container with a plastic bag or cling wrap to prevent the water from evaporating and keep it that way until you see the first sprouts appear; afterward, remove the cover and begin regularly watering the grass as the topsoil dries off.
Now, for the soilless solution, it’s best to use a plastic fruit tray with holes at the bottom as your container. Place a wad of cotton or a layer of tissue paper inside it and thoroughly soak it with warm water. Spread the grain seeds on top, then cover them with more tissue, cloth, or cheesecloth. As with the above-described method, keep the whole container covered with plastic until the seeds germinate, then remove the cover and begin manual watering.
No matter the method, once the grass has properly sprouted, make sure to keep the container in a warm and well-lit location and don’t forget about timely watering for it to grow and stay healthy. Watch out for any mold growth—the best way to prevent it is by using clean tools and materials from the get-go, but you’ll also need to avoid overwatering and provide good ventilation to maintain a fungus-free growing environment.
Some Necessary Precautions
With all that said, there are some things to keep in mind to ensure that this green snack remains truly safe both for your pet and yourself:
- Use only store-bought seeds and seedlings. Regular outside-growing grass, aside from being possibly contaminated with pesticides or other pollutants, can also serve as a vector for disease and parasitic infection.
- Stick to the above-mentioned grains. Some grasses, although safe in theory, can have rough and sharp leaves that might hurt your cat’s digestive system.
- Monitor your cat’s eating habits. It might be fine if your pet really lays thick into grass-eating, but they should still consume more meat overall. Additionally, excessive feeding may be a sign of illness—contact your vet if you’re concerned.
- Make sure your cat isn’t allergic to cat grass. This includes even cats that have eaten plants before, as allergies can develop suddenly throughout the pet’s life (especially as they get older). If you see your feline becoming less active, vomiting, or having stool issues after eating grain seedlings, stop offering them immediately.
Last but certainly not least—don’t force your cat to eat cat grass if they don’t like it. Not all felines enjoy eating plants equally, and trying to make yours acquire the taste for them isn’t really worth ruining their trust.