Is cat grass good for cats?

Cat grass might seem like an odd treat for a meat-loving feline, but most cats love to snack on this simple indoor plant. And for good reason — from aiding digestion to providing mental enrichment, cat grass can be a safe and smart addition to your kitty's lifestyle.

What is cat grass?

Cat grass refers to a collection of grasses that are generally easy to grow indoors and safe for your cat's digestive system. They include barley, rye, oat, orchard, and wheat grass. Oat grass is the tastiest variety for your kitty and full of soluble fiber. It also includes protein and has magnesium, iron, and vitamin B.

If you're in the market for cat grass, all K&H Pet varieties are made with 100% oat grass, farmed in the USA, and GMO-free. (All oat grass is naturally free of GMOs because oats have never been genetically modified.)

The K&H EZ Mount Window Cat Grass Grow Station is a great way to start your cat on her cat grass journey. It comes with cat grass seeds and soil pellets, and the grass will grow in just one to two weeks. Mount it to any smooth, non-porous surface, like a window, using the strong suction cup that comes with it. You can easily buy refills when the grass is all eaten up.

Benefits of Cat Grass

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they must eat meat to survive because their bodies can't process all the nutrients they need from veggies alone. But there's still an important place for cat grass in their lives. Cat grass brings a lot of potential benefits, such as:

• Fiber to help with digestion.

• A delicious snack that may help your kitty relax while providing needed environmental enrichment.

• Additional nutrients for your kitty's diet, like vitamins, folic acid (can help with blood oxygenation), and chlorophyll (helps keep your cat's breath fresh).

• Helping clear out hairballs by sometimes inducing kitties to throw up.

• Chewing on the fibrous stalks can help remove bacteria from teeth and aid dental health.

When it comes to cat grass, there's one caveat to keep in mind: less is more (just like with any cat treat). To ensure your kitty maintains a nutritious, balanced diet, try not to let cat grass account for more than 10% of your cat's daily calories.

A great way to serve up your cat grass is with the K&H EZ Mount Penthouse Cat Window Perch with Cat Grass Grow Station. This window perch lets your kitty snack on grass while watching the great outdoors. The sill has an enclosed level with a ledge for easy access and a large viewing window for bird watching. It comes with two grass-growing kits.

If you want a sill with multiple levels, try the K&H EZ Mount Window Kitty Sill Cat Perch with Cat Grass Grow Station - Multi Level. It's available in a four-level model, includes a cat grass grow station, and features a super soft hammock style that accommodates even large cats.

Why Cat Grass Is Better than Outdoor Grass

If your kitty takes to your indoor cat grass, it may help reduce his taste for outdoor grass if you take him on walks or trips in your backyard. It might even diminish his interest in your other indoor plants since cat grass is so tasty.

While outside grass isn't inherently dangerous, cat grass is certainly safer. Outdoor grass may have been exposed to pesticides or other chemicals, which can harm your cat. It also can grow longer and be rougher than indoor cat grass. Outdoor grass blades can get stuck at the back of your cat's throat, causing discomfort, retching, and gagging. All in all, softer and healthier cat grass is a better alternative.

Your Kitty Will Love Cat Grass

You don't have to do anything special when introducing your feline to cat grass for the first time. Just talk to your veterinarian before introducing cat grass to ensure it's safe for your pet. Your cat will love the new treat, and you'll love watching her nom down in delight.