Cat grass has been taking the nation by storm – but what is it, why do you need it, and what does it do for your houseplants? Find out, below.

If you've never heard of cat grass, we don’t blame you. It’s a very specific product and there is often confusion over what it is and why cat's love it. Contrary to popular belief, cats don’t eat grass to make themselves sick. If you have a cat that continuously takes bites out of your houseplants you should probably listen up.

What is Cat Grass?

Cat grass is a type of plant that grows wild in many countries. It’s native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, where it provides the feline population with nutrients. It is loved by cats, dogs, and other animals alike. Cat grass is the name given to a collective of grasses, which include all the types they like to chew and that are healthy for them.

Cat grass is often rye, barley, or wheat grass. These types of wild grass do grow out in the streets, but not all cats are outdoor cats. Similarly, the grass that grows in the street has been peed on, sniffed, and chewed by other animals, so many pet owners prefer to buy their own that they can grow indoors.

The Benefits of Cat Grass

What’s so great about it? Contrary to popular belief, cats don’t eat grass to make themselves sick. That’s part of it, but scientists think that the regurgitation of grass actually helps them fight back against parasitic infections. Cat grass is full of nutrients, allowing a better balance of diet for your feline friend. It also helps them bring up their furballs in a natural, safe way.

Let’s not forget about those houseplants, either. If you have a cat that attacks your houseplants, it may be that they are looking for the nutrition cat grass provides. You should supplement some of your plants with cat grass and see if they prefer to chew it. Some types of houseplants are toxic to cats, so this is a far safer option.

Benefits of Cat Grass Include:

• Protects the houseplants from damage
• Stops your cat eating a toxic plant by mistake
• Has lots of nutrients
• Helps them avoid parasites
• Helps them regurgitate hair balls
• It’s cleaner and healthier for the cat to grow your own

One thing we haven’t talked about yet is what nutrients cat grass contains. Of course, the nutrient level changes depending on the type of cat grass you have bought. For the sake of clarity, we are talking about Wheatgrass.

What’s in Cat Grass?

Cat grass gives your cat the nutrition it doesn’t get elsewhere, which is why they nibble on wild grasses. It is low calorie and is shown to lower oxidative stress in human studies. It is anti-inflammatory, soothing, and packed full of vitamins. Cat grass contains iron, calcium, vitamin K, fibre, protein, and numerous B vitamins[i].

Cat grass contains only great things that your cat will love. There’s no reason not to give it a try – especially if you are dealing with a house plant killer.

March's Gus & Bella Box is packed full of goodies celebrating cats mum's and their cats. You can try some organic cat grass from Purr Paw, with a handy kit including soil to get you started. 

[i] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320210#nutrition