3 Good Reasons Why Cats Eat Grass

Many cat people have observed that Cats eat grass and seem to enjoy doing so.   Domestic cats are known to be carnivores, preferring a diet that is rich in protein from animal sources such as meat, fish, and poultry. However, many cat owners have observed that their feline friends sometimes indulge in a rather unusual snack – grass. While it might seem odd for an obligate carnivore to munch on greens, there are several reasons why cats may do so.

Here we take a look at the different reasons why cats eat grass.

3 Reasons Cats Eat Grass

 1)  Grass juice contains folic acid that cats may crave – folic acid is an important vitamin that supports a cats’ growth and helps increase oxygen levels in their blood. If your cat is grazing on grass, it may be because they are battling a dietary deficiency and are in search of a folic acid vitamin boost.  So, grass may actually provide cats with some nutritional benefits. Grass contains essential vitamins and minerals such as folic acid, chlorophyll, and fiber. These nutrients can help to improve a cat’s overall health, including boosting their immune system and aiding in the digestion of their food.

2)  Eating Grass provides for natural laxative benefits – Eating grass provides a source of fiber and helps your cat have regular bowel movements.  This is especially important for cat digestive tracts that are sometimes clogged by fur (hairballs).   Broad grasses seem to have the best laxative effect and narrow grasses appear to help a cat settle an upset stomach.  Eating grass may be a natural instinct for cats. Wild cats and their ancestors would have consumed plant matter as part of their diet, and even domestic cats retain some of these instinctual behaviors. Eating grass may also provide cats with a sense of satisfaction or pleasure, as they enjoy the texture and taste of the plant.

3)  Grass in larger amounts relieves an upset stomach – Cats may eat a larger amount of grass to intentionally relieve an upset stomach.  Eating a large portion of grass can help a cat to vomit and your cat is eating grass on purpose to cause this desired reaction.  Cats don’t have the necessary enzymes to digest a large amount of grass, which is why eating a bigger portion of grass can make them sick. In the process of throwing up, your cat clears their stomach (e.g. of fur, feathers, parasites, bones, or other irritants) that upset their digestive tract or may even cause more lasting illness.

Cats will typically self-regulate the amount of grass they consume. If your cat has access to outdoor grass that has been treated with pesticides or fertilizers, then it is best to provide your cat with an indoor potted plant alternative that is safe grass to eat.  Many specialty retailers and pet stores sell wheat grass or cat grass that is designed for safe in-home use for both humans and cats.

Wheatgrass is a food made from the Triticum aestivum plant and is regarded as a super potent health food with many benefits for both human and cat consumption.  For humans, it is usually consumed as a fresh juice, but it also comes in powdered form. Fresh wheatgrass juice is considered to be a “living food” and health enthusiasts have long raved about the countless benefits of this plant.  Wheatgrass has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties and contains several vitamins and nutrients including:

• iron
• calcium
• enzymes
• magnesium
• phytonutrients
• 17 amino acids
• vitamins A, C, E, K, and B complex
• chlorophyll
• proteins

Many pet stores also carry “Cat Grass” or “Kitty Grass”.  Cat grass is not a specific kind of plant, but a grass mixture that is grown from seeds, such as wheat, barley, oats or rye. Cat grass is grown indoors specifically for household pets.

Providing safe grass to eat can also serve as a deterrent to keep your cat away from other dangerous or delicate plants. If your kitty likes to chew on or tip over your houseplants, a cat grass garden or potted plant of safe grass is the perfect way to foil other undesirable antics.  Many plants are toxic to cats, so providing wheat grass or cat grass can provide a safe plant for your curious feline to explore.  If your cat eats large amounts of grass on a regular basis or wants to eat grass every day, consult your veterinarian as this may be a sign of other health issues.

In conclusion, while it might seem odd for carnivorous pets to eat grass, there are several reasons why cats may do so. Eating grass can help cats to aid in digestion, provide some nutritional benefits, and satisfy their natural instincts. However, cat owners should always be cautious about letting their pets eat any kind of grass and ensure that it is safe and free from any harmful substances.

Let us know in the comments if your cat eats grass.  Remember to “share” the reasons why that Cats eat grass with other Cat people and “subscribe” to our CatFancast Channel on YouTube.