Is Grass a Secret Health Tonic for Cats

If you’ve ever caught your cat nibbling on grass, you’re not alone. Many cat owners are puzzled by this behavior, wondering if it’s safe, healthy, or a sign of something wrong. Despite being obligate carnivores, cats have an instinctive tendency to eat grass. While it may seem strange, this behavior is entirely natural and often beneficial. In this article, we’ll dive into the reasons why cats eat grass, the potential health benefits, the risks, and what you can do to ensure your feline friend stays healthy.

Is It Normal for Cats to Eat Grass?

Yes, it’s completely normal for cats to eat grass. In fact, it’s a behavior observed in both domestic and wild cats. Even though cats are obligate carnivores—meaning their diet is primarily meat-based—they occasionally consume plant material like grass. This behavior is rooted in their instincts and serves various purposes.

Why Do Cats Eat Grass?

There are several theories about why cats eat grass, ranging from digestive benefits to instinctual behavior. Let’s explore the most common reasons:

Grass Helps with Digestive Health

One of the most widely accepted theories is that grass aids in digestion. Cats often eat grass to help their gastrointestinal system function smoothly. Here’s how:

• Inducing Vomiting: Cats lack the enzymes needed to digest certain plant materials. When they eat grass, it can irritate their stomach lining, causing them to vomit. This helps them expel indigestible materials like hairballs or bones.
• Aiding Bowel Movements: The fiber in grass can act as a natural laxative, helping cats pass stools more easily if they’re constipated.

Grass Provides Nutrients

Grass contains small amounts of essential nutrients that might benefit cats. These include:

• Folic Acid: Grass is a natural source of folic acid, which aids in oxygen transport and supports cell function.
• Chlorophyll: Known for its detoxifying properties, chlorophyll in grass may help cats maintain overall health.

Behavioral and Sensory Reasons

The texture and taste of grass can be appealing to cats. The long, slender blades of grass offer a different tactile experience compared to the softness of their bedding or the hardness of their toys. When they chew on grass, they are exploring a new sensory experience. It could also be a form of self - entertainment for them. Just as they might play with a ball of yarn or a catnip mouse, chewing on grass provides a different kind of stimulation.

Some cats may also be attracted to the smell of fresh grass. The aroma of the chlorophyll and other plant compounds can be alluring to their sensitive noses. This could draw them to the grassy areas in their environment, whether it's the lawn outside or a pot of grass indoors.

Curiosity and Exploration

Cats are naturally curious creatures. Sometimes, they eat grass simply out of boredom or curiosity, especially if they’re exploring their environment or have access to outdoor spaces.

Stress Relief

Chewing on grass can be a form of stress relief or self-soothing behavior. If your cat appears anxious or stressed, nibbling on grass might help them feel more relaxed.

Related: Can Stress Make A Cat Miscarry

Is It Safe for Cats to Eat Grass?

For the most part, eating grass is safe for cats. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind:

Benefits of Eating Grass

• Helps digestion

The plant fiber in cat grass can help cats digest some indigestible foods such as meat and bones, preventing indigestion. 

• Supplemental Nutrition

Cat grass contains nutrients such as vitamins (e.g. folic acid), minerals and chlorophyll, which may be lacking in meat and can be supplemented by cat grass. 

Trace Mineral Tablets

Rich in iodine and amino acid-chelated copper iron,zinc and manganese, it helps to reduce health conditions resulted from deficiency in trace elements, such as loss of appetite, picky eating, pica, dull hair and weight loss.

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• Spitting hairballs

Cats will swallow a large amount of hair when grooming, and these hairs form hairballs in the stomach, affecting gastrointestinal health. Cat grass can stimulate intestinal peristalsis and help cats spit out hairballs in the stomach. 

• Cleanses the oral cavity

The plant liquid secreted by the cat when chewing cat grass can have a maintenance effect on the cat's teeth and mouth. 

Potential Risks

• Vomiting

Cat grass may cause cats to vomit, especially when large quantities are eaten in a short period of time, which may result in a large vomiting reaction. Frequent vomiting may cause anorexia and habitual vomiting, and the stomach acid from vomiting may also damage the cat's esophagus, thus affecting the cat's health. 

Also Read: Cat Vomiting: What You Should Know

• Indigestion

There is no way for cats to fully digest cat grass. If the cat grass is too long, it may be brought out of the litter box after the cat has pooped due to the implication of undigested cat grass, causing hygiene problems. 

• Allergy or discomfort

Some cats may be allergic to cat grass or have digestive problems, which need to be judged and selected according to the cat's specific situation. 

How to Know Your Cat Needs Cat Grass?

I. Hair-related signs

• Frequent grooming

If your cat is grooming herself more often than usual, this could mean she is swallowing more hair, increasing the risk of hairballs forming in her stomach. Cat grass helps stimulate your cat to vomit, which expels hairballs, so your cat may need cat grass in this situation.

• Coat is rough or prone to knots

When the quality of a cat's hair deteriorates and becomes rough or easily tangled, in addition to possible skin health or nutritional deficiency issues, hairballs may be in the body interfering with normal hair growth. Cats need cat grass to help clean up the hairballs in the body and improve the hair condition.

II. Digestive System Performance

• Frequency of vomiting

If the cat occasionally vomits and vomits with hair or undigested food residue, this may be a signal that the hairballs are blocking the stomach or intestines, indicating that the cat needs cat grass to promote the discharge of hairballs and improve the function of the digestive system.

• Loss of appetite

When hairballs accumulate to a certain extent in the cat's body, it may affect its appetite. If you find that your cat is not interested in its usual favorite food, after ruling out other disease factors (e.g., oral problems, parasitic infections, etc.), it may be a hairball problem that requires cat grass to help resolve.

III. Behavioral Observations

• Tendency to gnaw on plants

If you find that your cat has a tendency to nibble on green plants at home, it may be that it is instinctively looking for something similar to cat grass to satisfy its needs. This is when you should consider providing your cat with specialized cat grass.

• Abdominal discomfort

Cats may exhibit abdominal discomfort behaviors such as frequent squatting, abdominal curling or repeated licking of the abdomen. These behaviors may be the result of hairballs in the body causing discomfort, suggesting that your cat needs cat grass to alleviate the condition.

What to Do if Your Cat Eats Too Much Cat Grass?

I. Observe the symptoms

• Vomiting

Closely observe your cat for excessive vomiting. If the vomiting is frequent and persistent, it may lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance in the cat. Pay attention to the nature of the vomit, whether it is simply cat grass residue or accompanied by other substances such as blood and bile.

• Appetite changes

Check to see if your cat's appetite is affected. Eating too much cat grass may make the cat feel sick to its stomach, thus reducing food intake. Record changes in the amount of food your cat eats, whether it refuses to eat at all or just eats less than usual.

• Mental State

Pay attention to your cat's mental state to see if it becomes depressed, lethargic or unusually agitated. A change in mental state may be an important signal that the cat is not well.

II. Stop feeding the cat grass

• Remove the source of cat grass

Immediately remove the cat grass that is accessible to your cat to prevent it from continuing to eat. If it is an indoor planted cat grass potted plant, place the potted plant out of the cat's reach; if it is a purchased cat grass product, put away the remaining cat grass product.

III. Provide appropriate care

• Replenish water

If your cat vomits or loses its appetite, dehydration may result. Provide fresh, clean water and encourage your cat to drink more. You can use a pet-specific waterer or add a small amount of low-sodium broth to the water to entice your cat to drink.

• Adjusting the diet

Provide your cat with easy-to-digest food, such as a small amount of mashed chicken, mashed fish or specialized canned kitten food (if it is an adult cat, canned kitten food is also easier to digest). Avoid feeding greasy, dry and hard food to avoid aggravating the burden on the cat's stomach.

• Seek medical attention

If the cat has severe vomiting (e.g. vomiting several times in a row, blood or bile in the vomit), persistent loss of appetite (more than 24 hours), extreme depression, or other abnormal symptoms such as diarrhea, the cat should be taken to the veterinarian promptly.

• Treatment by the veterinarian

The veterinarian may perform a physical examination of the cat, including palpation of the abdomen to check for problems such as intestinal obstruction. Depending on the situation, blood tests, X-rays and other diagnostic measures may be performed. If the cat is dehydrated, the veterinarian may administer fluids to replenish water and electrolytes; if there is an intestinal obstruction, appropriate treatment measures may be taken to resolve it.

How to Discourage Grass Eating？

If you want to stop your cat from eating grass, you can do the following.

I. Indoor environmental management

• Remove existing grass sources

Carefully inspect the indoor and outdoor (if the cat has access to the outdoor environment) areas of your home and remove all grass plants that are accessible to the cat. For indoor potted plants, place them in high places or enclosed spaces that are inaccessible to cats, e.g. place potted plants on balconies with doors or use protective netting to cover the potted plants.

• Cleaning up grass clippings

Make sure there are no grass clippings left on the indoor floor and corners. Cats may be interested in these grass clippings and try to lick them, so sweep and vacuum regularly to keep the environment clean and tidy.

II. Provide alternatives

• Cat toys

Provide a variety of toys suitable for cats, such as plush balls, cat teasers and cat scratching boards. These toys can attract the cat's attention and distract it from the grass. For example, spend a certain amount of time each day using a teaser stick to interact with your cat, allowing it to expend its energy in play and reduce its desire to find grass to eat.

• Cat grass alternatives

Cat grass alternatives designed specifically for cats can be purchased, such as catnip toys or small balls containing catnip. Catnip has a special odor that is attractive to cats and can satisfy similar sensory needs of cats to a certain extent.

III. Behavioral Correction

• Positive reinforcement

When the cat does not go near the grass or shows no interest in the grass, give a timely reward. The reward can be a small snack (e.g. freeze-dried chicken pellets) or gentle petting and praise. In this way, the cat gradually understands that not going near the grass is a behavior that can be rewarded.

• Supervision and guidance

Try to supervise your cat's behavior during free range. If you notice that your cat has a tendency to go towards the grass, stop it with a gentle voice and then guide it towards cat toys or other appropriate areas. For example, when the cat approaches a potted indoor plant, issue a “no” command and then take the cat to the scratching pad and encourage it to scratch the pad.

• Health Check

If the cat suddenly has a strong interest in eating grass, there may be a health problem. Take your cat to the veterinarian for a comprehensive health checkup, including checking for parasitic infections, digestive problems or nutritional deficiencies. If there are health issues, the cat's grass-eating behavior may decrease after these issues are resolved.

When to Be Concerned About Grass Eating

While occasional grass consumption is usually harmless, there are instances where it may signal an underlying issue:

Persistent Vomiting

If your cat vomits frequently after eating grass, it could indicate gastrointestinal problems that need veterinary attention.

Excessive Grass Eating

Eating large amounts of grass could be a sign of boredom, stress, or a dietary deficiency.

Signs of Illness

If your cat exhibits other symptoms, such as lethargy, diarrhea, or loss of appetite, consult your vet immediately.

FAQs

Do cats eat grass to settle their stomach?

Cats' intestines are adapted to handle meaty foods, but sometimes they may experience slow digestion or indigestion. The fiber contained in grass stimulates peristalsis in your cat's intestines, which helps to move the food through the intestines, thus promoting digestion. For example, when a cat eats some indigestible bones or hair that builds up in the stomach, the fiber in grass can help the intestines move and process this material better.

For cats with upset stomachs, eating grass may cause a vomiting reaction. This vomiting, while seemingly uncomfortable, can actually help relieve stomach discomfort by helping your cat expel indigestible items from the stomach, such as hairballs and spoiled food. However, excessive vomiting may also have adverse effects on your cat's health, so moderate attention is needed.

Can grass help a sick cat?

If your cat suffers from trichotillomania (a buildup of hair in the stomach that forms hairballs as a result of frequent licking), grass can stimulate the intestines and stomach, prompting your cat to vomit up the hairballs and lessen the physical effects of trichotillomania. This is helpful in preventing and relieving discomfort associated with hairball disease, such as loss of appetite and constipation.
Certain grasses contain some nutrients that may be lacking in your cat's daily diet, such as vitamins (e.g. folic acid) and minerals. When a cat is sick, the body's need for nutrients may change, and these nutrients in grass can be supplemental to a certain extent. However, grass should not be used as the main source of nutrition; cats that are sick still need specialized nutritional supplements based on the specific condition and veterinarian's recommendations.

Is grass healthy for cats?

Conclusion

Cats eating grass is a common and usually harmless behavior that can be linked to their natural instincts, digestive health, and nutritional needs. While most cats will nibble on grass occasionally without any issues, it’s important to ensure that the grass they consume is safe and free from harmful chemicals. If your cat eats grass excessively or shows signs of illness, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian to rule out any underlying health problems. By understanding this behavior, you can better care for your cat and ensure they remain happy and healthy.