As a cat owner, you may have noticed your little furry friend munching on grass, but why do cats eat grass? This is a popular question because cats are obligate carnivores who require a high protein diet from animal meats.
So a cat eating grass will naturally raise many questions such as does grass have any nutritional benefits?, Is grass safe for cats to eat?, and why will cats even be attracted to eating grass in the first place.
All of these questions, plus much more will be covered inside of this article. Why do cats eat grass? Let’s dive straight in and find out.
Why Do Cats Eat Grass?
Here are the reasons why cats eat grass.
1. Grass Supplements Their Regular Diet
Kittens drink their mothers milk which contains essential vitamins to support growth and aids in digestion. One of the nutrients found in milk is folic acid, which is surprisingly also found in grass. A cat may seek out grass if they feel they are deficient in these vitamins.
2. Grass Is a Natural Laxative
Cats are well known for leaving hairballs which is an accumulation of built up fur from daily grooming sessions. Not all of the fur leaves the mouth via a hairball, as some of the fur moves further down into the digestive tract.
Grass appears to have a laxative effect that helps to break down fur, pass it out of the other end. A cat just seems to instinctively know the effects of eating grass, which is why you will often find them nibbling it.
3. Grass Relieves An Upset Stomach
As cats lack the necessary enzymes to break down down vegetable matter, you’ll sometimes see them regurgitate after consuming grass. This is an important process because it eliminates anything that is indigestible from their digestive tract.
This also happens with cats in the wild who consume every part of their prey, even the inedible parts such as feathers, bones, and fur.
4. Eating Grass Is Good For Anxiety
According to many veterinarians and professionals, cats may participate in “stress eating”, similar to how humans do. As well as excessive vocalization or over-grooming, a cat constantly eating grass or plants may be a sign of stress, and the chewing behavior is their way of soothing it.
Dangers Of Cats Eating Grass
Although eating grass has some benefits for your cat, it doesn’t come without any dangers. Let’s take a look.
1. Pesticides
It’s important to make sure that you have a cat friendly garden that doesn’t have insecticides or herbicides.
2. Toxic Plants
According to PetMD, here is a list of the most common plants and flowers that are toxic for cats.
- Amaryllis (Amaryllis spp.)
- Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale)
- Azaleas and Rhododendrons (Rhododendron spp.)
- Castor Bean (Ricinus communis)
- Chrysanthemum, Daisy, Mum (Chrysanthemum spp.)
- Cyclamen (Cyclamen spp.)
- Daffodils, Narcissus (Narcissus spp.)
- Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.)
- English Ivy (Hedera helix)
- Hyacinth (Hyacintus orientalis)
- Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe spp.)
- Lily (Lilium sp.)
- Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
- Marijuana (Cannabis sativa)
- Oleander (Nerium oleander)
- Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum sp.)
- Pothos, Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
- Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta)
- Spanish Thyme (Coleus ampoinicus)
- Tulip (Tulipa spp.)
- Yew (Taxus spp.)
A Safe Solution To Grass
Cat Grass
Cat grass offers a safer alternative because it is grown from rye, barley, oat, and wheat seeds, and doesn’t contain the dangerous chemicals that outdoor grass does. You can easily get hold of cat grass on Amazon, or if you prefer to grow your own, check out the video below.
Popular Questions
Is eating grass bad for cats?
Does cat grass make cats vomit?
Why Do Cats Eat Grass Conclusion
Why do cats eat grass? To summarize, cats eat grass to supplement their regular diet, relieve an upset stomach, for anxiety, and it even acts as a natural laxative. Just make sure your cat doesn’t go anywhere near grass that contains poisonous chemicals such as pesticides. Also be aware of the plants and flowers that are toxic to cats.
