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The Health Benefits of Cat Grass

Cat grass eating is frequent and has a number of health benefits for your pet. Even if you feed your cat the best possible nutritional cat food, your cat will still grab some grass and chew on it, because he likes grass. Even though cats are meat eaters, they have always eaten grass and their system is adapted to grass eating.

Digestion

Cats eating commercial pet food get the necessary nutrients, but they will eat grass to speed up the digestion process.

A cat that craves and eats a lot of grass may lack a sufficient amount of fiber in his diet. Try increasing the greens in his diet.

Induce Vomiting

Another benefit of grass is that it induces vomiting. Cats that have eaten something that wasn't agreeable with their stomach may eat grass on purpose. Cats don't chew the grass when they want to vomit; the grass will tickle their stomach inducing vomiting.

Vomiting may be beneficial if the cat has eaten something toxic, or food that may cause allergic reactions.

Diarrhea and Constipation

Grass is a source of fibers and may come in handy to treat or prevent constipation and diarrhea.

Cough Fur Balls

Grass eating also helps cats to cough up hairballs. A cat cleans himself by using his tongue, and while grooming a lot of hair is ingested. In time, hairballs are formed in the cat's stomach and make him feel uneasy. A cat may normally cough up the hairball; however, sometimes he needs help, so grass eating is recommended.

If the cat eats grass regularly, this may prevent the build-up of hairballs.

Dietary Supplements

Grass contains fiber and is a great source of niacin and B vitamins. Grass can substitute dietary supplements.

Health Risks

The craving for grass may present health risks. Cats may not differentiate between grass and plants, and may chew on poisonous plants. Some of the most poisonous plants to cats are:

Even the grass from outside may have chemicals that can harm your cat.

Make sure your home has no poisonous plants and observe your cat reactions to detect a possible poisoning, if he consumes plants from outside.

Grow Cat Grass

Growing grass for your cat is easy and will make sure that your cat doesn't eat toxic plants or grass that has potential poisonous pesticides or fertilizers.

Get cat grass seeds from a health food store. Soak the cat grass seeds for 6 to 8 hours and place them in a cat grass planter with soil in it. Keep the planter in a dark place and water the soil daily. The grass should grow within a week. When the grass appears, you may place the cat grass planter in a sunny place, accessible to your cat.

You could also opt for grass growing kits.

also see Cat Taurine Supplements Explained

also see Feeding Tips for Preventing Kitten Constipation

also see Causes of Feline Vomiting

also see Will a Canine Supplement Help with Aging?

also see Cancer - special diet needs

also see Diarrhea in Cats and Kittens

also see Vomiting in Cats

also see Zoonotic Disease - Rose Grower's Disease