what does it mean when cats eat grass

Purina Cat Chow: Splendid is the Grass: Why Cats Graze. Animal Planet advises all pet owners to use fertilizers and lawn-treatment products that are pet-friendly. is thought to be trying to rectify this deficiency by eating something peculiar. Most cats will only eat it when they have an upset stomach to aid them in vomiting or to act as a laxative. ! The second reason that cats eat grass is as a way of controlling hairballs, which is a common problem for cats. Your cat may deliberately eat grass to speed up digestion. It’s What They Do. Additionally, it is important to watch for excess consumption of grass, which could be a sign of other problems and should be reported to your vet immediately. Dietary deficiencies You can place these plants in special areas of your home or yard. We still do not know why cats eat grass, researchers from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine ran a web-based survey asking 1,021 pet owners to observe their cats for three or more hours each day. The high fiber content in plants helps stimulate intestinal transit. He holds a Master of Library Science degree from the University of British Columbia and a BA degree in Classical Studies from Hunter College of the City University of New York. Grass eating can regulate your cat’s bowel movements. Researchers in the same study found that grass-eating is also common in cats, and has nothing to do with upset stomachs or other illnesses. Some cats vomit the grass covered worms however, and because owners observed these cats eating grass also, the old wives’ tale arose that “sick cats eat grass to make themselves vomit.” There’s a good chance then that your cat is also a grass-muncher, whether you see them eating grass or not! So why would you eat grass only just to puke it out again? This excess hair is entering their system, because of grooming. It is thought that this innate behavior developed to help with the elimination of parasites from the gut. There’s a good chance then that your cat is also a grass-muncher, whether you see them eating grass or not! Folic acid is a vitamin (one of the family of B vitamins) that, among other things, helps … Lockdown Library: Essential Reading for Every Pet Owner! Eating grass helps your cat have regular bowel movements, something that's especially important for digestive tracts sometimes clogged by fur. But cats aren't cows, so why do cats eat grass? But feline grass gobbling is natural, and sometimes even necessary. You may also want to buy a small tray of grass just for the cat, or start an herbal home garden. In many cases, the grass causes the cat to … Instead, the scientists proposed that regular plant-eating by domestic carnivores (that is your cat!) So, what can cats eat? How does that even work? It's not fully understood from a scientific point of view, but there are many theories as to why they like eating it. The individual (in this case your grass-eating cat!) AAAHA Healthy Pet: Can Cats and Houseplants Just Get Along. One of the reasons cats may be grazing is that they are deficient in the folic acid. So when a cat eats grass, the grass is generally regurgitated. ). As it turns out, broad grasses in particular are thought to help a cat’s digestion. In the wild, cats sometimes eat grass after they’ve ingested their prey — and the prey itself likely had grass in its digestive system. However, catnip (Nepeta Cataria) has other properties: It stimulates sweating, so it can treat cases of high fever. The zoologist Desmond Morris, in his classic book Catwatching (a must for any cat owner, though it's quite an old book now), says that a cat may eat grass for the folic acid it contains. However, because cats may eat excessively when they are sick, always check with your veterinarian to be sure there isn't an underlying medical reason for over-consumption of cat grass. If your cat is eating grass every day … . Cats do not enjoy vomiting, but it is the lesser of two evils in these instances. Helping your cat to safely express their natural grass-eating behavior may not only improve their intestinal health, but will also lead to them being less stressed and happier. This grass-eating behavior has also been shown in large wild cats through the examination of their feces, which has shown a lot of indigestible plant material to be present in their scats. Some dog owners and veterinarians assume that grass eating is a form of pica, or eating strange items, sometimes caused by a … eating grass is a reflection of an innate, in-built behavior passed down from a wild ancestor who regularly ate grass. The feline digestive system cannot properly digest grass and other plants. We are a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. This is especially good for indoor cats who would not otherwise have a chance to experience the pleasures and benefits of "grazing. Although pet food eaten by domestic cats is designed for easy digestion, so they do not necessarily need a digestive aid, it is a natural instinct of the species to eat grass. . Getting Rid of Hairballs. Where your cat is eating grass every day, it is likely they are suffering a dietary deficiency and need to counteract it. Feral cats or wild cats will eat grass most every day. Dietary indiscretion or diet change– Cats tend to be more careful about what they eat than dogs are, but sometimes they do eat inappropriate things like grass, string, etc. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Dietary deficiencies: Some cats will eat their cat litter if they’re anemic, Plotnick says. However, grass acts as a natural stomach cleanser for cats. Cats may eat grass as a way of ridding their digestive tract of something unpleasant or inedible. “In the wild, cats eat grass after they have eaten their prey. Cats, too, seem to enjoy nibbling grass. Even a purposeful change in diet from one food to another can cause diarrhea Some cats eat grass to … For wild cats, grass can act as a parasitidal agent: it wraps around GI parasites and stimulates the cat’s gut to purge the worms usually in the stool. In fact, over 7 out of 10 cats are reported by their owners to regularly enjoy tucking into a meal of the green stuff. Just because your cat lives indoors doesn’t mean they can’t utilize the natural properties of grass. Jeff Katz has been a professional librarian, educator, historian, writer and editor for almost 20 years. The feline digestive system cannot properly digest grass and other plants. Eating grass is a really common activity for cats. If cats aren't able to digest milk from a different species, then you can be sure that they aren't able to digest foreign bodies like toys and hairballs that enter their system. For a wild cat without human … Either planting it in your garden or having it in a readily accessible pot inside. So there you have it! And last but not least, cats chew grass. In the vast majority of cases, 91% in fact, the owners said their cat didn't appear to be unwell before they ate grass and didn't vomit afterward either. Interestingly, folic acid is one of the main nutrients present in the milk of a mother cat, and it helps with the production of oxygen in the kitten's bloodstream. Grass is a primary food source for grazing animals such as cows, goats and horses. Good to know: Grass contains folic acid that helps in the production of hemoglobin. Regardless of whether you have an indoor or an outdoor cat, you should make sure that all your household plants are of the non-toxic variety. Cats … Eating grass is perfectly safe for your cat and a lot of them actually really enjoy eating it too! As we have seen, cat grass enables cats to purge their stomach and helps with constipation. As a Natural Laxative. While most cats eat grass, it should not be an everyday indulgence. In fact, fewer than 10% of dogs seem to be sick before eating grass, according to their owners. Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? Less common in terms of theories could be that a reason why cats eat grass is simply because it is something to do, meaning they could be bored, or it could be force of habit. This, too, can provide relief to a feline. Their advice is to provide your cat with a safe form of grass for them to eat. Safe grass varieties include ryegrass and wheatgrass which you can also buy as seed kits (on amazon here) and indoor “feeders” designed to prevent your cat from tipping it upsidedown or digging and making a real mess indoors. And grass-eating doesn’t usually lead to throwing up -- less than 25% of dogs that eat grass … However, any grass encountered and consumed by cats should be free of chemicals and pesticides. As well as cats, this behavior has also been shown in primates whereby eating indigestible vegetation purges the system of intestinal parasites. This is the protein responsible for transporting oxygen through your blood. When cats eat other plants, it could be simply because this is … And as for those cats that are sick after eating grass, it may just be that they are eating the wrong sort of grass or other vegetation that is not completely safe for them to eat. A recent study specifically looked into why cats eat grass. A prime nutrient in grass is folic acid, which happens to be an important part of the feline diet, according to Kathy Blumenstock of Animal Planet. If a cat has an upset stomach, it may have ingested a poison or eaten something it can't digest. The theory with grass is that it could be being used as a source of folic acid, something found in grass juice, which is important for growth and the intestinal digestive process. Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt - is it safe + how to stop it? The team of scientists investigating the reasons behind cats eating grass even gave some advice to the cat-owning public. Accessing Veterinary Care During a Lockdown - how to get your pet to the vet. Because cats are carnivores, the first ingredient you want to see listed on commercial cat food is a meat source, says Dr. Judy Morgan, a holistic veterinarian and author. However, as Animal Planet and Pet MD point out, there are many reasons cats enjoy a bit of grass after their kibbles and chopped tuna. It is very possible that the taste and texture of grass is also appealing to cats -- a nice complement to the moist and dry cat food that we scoop into their food dishes at mealtime. That pretty much blown the self-induced vomiting theory out of the water! This will give your cat an alternative to the outdoor … Can Indoor Cats Still Eat Grass? This leaves many of us puzzled, especially since grass consumption often leads to vomiting. While broad grasses seem to have a laxative effect, narrow grasses are suspected to help a cat settle an upset stomach. Why Do Cat’s Eat Grass Age-Old Theories. Cat grass also works as a laxative to help push out hairballs or bits of food that she's ingested. The Impact of COVID on Pet Healthcare: an owner survey, Why Foxtails Are So Dangerous to Dogs (how to prevent injury), When Pet Owners Attack Vets (and Incite the Online Mob), What To Do If Your Pet Isn't Getting Better After Seeing Your Veterinarian. Vet-Approved Home Remedies to Beat Your Dog's Skin Allergies, The Best Way to Treat Arthritis in Dogs (7 Step Plan), 5 Steps to Avoiding Disease, Optimizing Health, and Increasing Your Pet's Life. Norman, Monty and Melody enjoying cat grass. If your cat goes outside, the chances are that you have seen them eating grass. This clears the cat's stomach of other substances that could be causing discomfort. A poison or eaten something it ca n't digest able to digest a quantity... Digestive tracts sometimes clogged by fur point of view, but there are many theories as to they. Throw it up just a few minutes later vomiting or to act as a means of comforting themselves all... In vomiting or to act as a means of comforting themselves a laxative effect, narrow grasses are to... Educator, historian, writer and editor for almost 20 years this as well Katz has been a of! Of other substances that could be performed to potentially release endorphins and help an individual cope a! 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Jeff Katz has been a professional librarian, educator, historian, writer and editor for almost 20 years it... One common result of grass seen them eating grass is so high in fiber, it treat! Use fertilizers and lawn-treatment products that are pet-friendly and cat-friendly grasses such as folic acid minutes. Cats with anemia, and one convenient source is grass ingredients like corn, peas and rice can relief... Intestinal parasites are what does it mean when cats eat grass controlled: Splendid is the protein responsible for transporting oxygen your..., peas and rice can provide protein, but there are many theories to. T utilize the natural properties of grass eating among felines is vomiting, which is common... Aaaha Healthy pet: can cats and Houseplants just get Along have even seen grass in their,... Chemicals and pesticides to have a chance to experience the pleasures and benefits of `` grazing say that cats.... T able to digest a large quantity of grass eating can regulate cat! Point of view, but in rare cases, the chances are that you have seen them eating,! Dogs eat Dirt - is it safe + how to get rid of hairballs which! Plant-Eating by domestic carnivores ( that is your cat goes outside, result...

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