Why Do Cats Eat Grass?
Cats and grass are such an odd combination. Especially if you have an only indoor cat. If they get outside every once in a while, you may catch them eating and chewing on the grass.
While there is no proven single reason why cats enjoy eating grass, there are some assumptions. The good news is that in general, if your cat is eating grass, it is not a cause of concern.
However, if you do notice your cat eating lots of grass, ensure you seek help from a vet.
Let’s talk about some of the reasons why cats eat grass.
Your cat could be seeking health benefits
The first reason you cat may be supplementing with some green stuff is actually for health reasons.
Grass contains a lot of vitamins that cats may graze on to help boost their vitamin levels. Grass contains a nutrient called folic acid, which helps move oxygen through the blood stream.
Some experts theorize that eating grass may also help ease sore throats, while others believe cats do it simply because they enjoy the taste and texture.
To quicken its bowel movements
The second reason your cat may be chopping down on some grass is still health related. But for a different reason.
Grass can be known as a laxative for animals, especially those who are suffering from constipation based on something they ate.
Sometimes not all of a cat’s diet can easily can pass through a their digestive tract with ease. For this reason, cats may use grass as a laxative to help with digestion.
To induce vomiting
Lastly, one of the most common reasons cats will chew on grass is to induce vomiting. As cats lack the enzymes to break down too much grass, they may eat it to induce vomiting and clear out indigestible material (such as fur and feathers) from their stomachs.
If you cat has a lot of hairballs, sometimes they will chew on grass to help them get the stuck hairball up. My long haired cat gets really bad furballs during the spring as she’s shedding her winter coat.
I almost always know when she has a hairball because she will sit in front of the door and meow to go outside. (Now sometimes she does that just to go sit outside, but often its to eat grass). If it’s raining outside, sometimes I will just give her hairball medicine to help her digest the furball.
How to help
If your cat eating grass is something that makes your nervous, let me provide some tips and advice to help.
First, it is crucial that if your cat is going to graze on grass that it has not been sprayed with chemicals or fertiziler. If it is out on your lawn, I usually recommend waiting two days after any treatments before letting your cat on your grass. And that is my minimum. I try to wait up to a week if my cats will let me.
If you have any concerns about your cat eating grass, or its diet in general, make sure you seek advice from your local Vets, they can help adjust their diet to supplement as your cat desires.