Cats are obligate carnivores, but many still enjoy nibbling on grass. While researchers do not know exactly why cats eat grass, occasional grazing appears to be a common feline behavior. Growing cat grass indoors gives your cat access to carefully selected cereal grasses without the pesticides, fertilizers, toxic plants and other hazards they may encounter outdoors.
Cat grass is not one specific plant. The term usually refers to young cereal grasses grown indoors for cats to nibble. Common varieties include wheat, oats, barley and rye.
These grasses are different from catnip. Catnip is an herb in the mint family that can temporarily affect a cat’s behavior. Cat grass does not produce that response. It simply provides a fresh, chewable plant that many cats find appealing.
Cat grass is often sold as seeds, growing kits or already-sprouted containers. Growing it yourself lets you control the soil, water and products used around the plant.
Scientists have not identified one definitive reason cats eat grass. The behavior may be influenced by instinct, curiosity, texture, taste or a combination of factors.
A cat’s powerful sense of smell influences how they explore food, plants and their surroundings. Learn more in The Nose Knows: Understanding Your Cat’s Sense of Smell.
Some possible explanations include:
Grass eating is not necessarily a sign that a cat feels sick. In a study of plant-eating behavior in domestic cats, most cats were not reported to appear ill before eating plants, and vomiting did not occur every time.
This suggests that plant eating is often a normal behavior rather than something cats do only to make themselves vomit.
A small amount of clean, properly grown cat grass is generally considered safe for most healthy cats. However, cats do not need grass to meet their essential nutritional requirements.
Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they require nutrients found primarily in animal-based foods. Cat grass should be treated as optional enrichment, not as a replacement for a nutritionally complete cat food.
Whether grass is appropriate for a particular cat can also depend on the cat’s health, eating habits and digestive sensitivity. If your cat has a medical condition or follows a prescription diet, ask your veterinarian before introducing cat grass.
You may see claims that cat grass cleans a cat’s stomach, cures hairballs or supplies essential nutrients. Evidence for those claims is limited, so it is better to keep expectations realistic.
Cat grass may still offer several practical benefits.
Cats that enjoy chewing leaves may be less likely to investigate unsafe houseplants when they have an appropriate alternative. Cat grass can become one part of a cat-friendly indoor environment.
It should not be your only safety measure. Toxic plants should still be removed or kept completely inaccessible. The ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant database can help you check individual plant species.
Supporting natural feline behaviors is an important part of responsible cat care. Learn why declawing cats can cause lasting physical and behavioral problems.
The smell, texture and movement of grass can provide indoor cats with additional sensory stimulation. This may be especially helpful for cats that watch outdoor plants through a window but do not have safe access to them.
For more ways to make your indoor cat’s environment engaging, read our guide to boredom busters for cats.
Grass contains fiber, but that does not mean cats need to eat it. A cat receiving a complete and balanced diet should already be getting appropriate nutrition.
If your cat has constipation, diarrhea or another digestive problem, do not try to treat it by offering more grass. Digestive symptoms can have many causes and should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Commercial cat grass generally consists of cereal-grass seeds. Choose seeds labeled for growing cat grass or for pet use.
Avoid seed that has been treated with pesticides, fungicides or other chemicals. It is also best to use fresh, clean potting mix and a container that has not held a toxic plant.
Wheatgrass is one of the most common choices for indoor cat grass. It grows quickly and produces soft green shoots that many cats enjoy.
Cats can generally eat small amounts of untreated wheatgrass. Check it regularly for mold, wilting or damage caused by overwatering.
Oat grass has broad, tender blades and is frequently included in cat-grass seed mixtures. It germinates quickly and is easy to grow indoors.
Barley grass is another cereal grass commonly marketed for cats. Young shoots are usually soft enough for supervised nibbling.
Some cat-grass blends include cereal rye. Be sure you are buying a product specifically labeled for pet use, since the word “ryegrass” can also refer to several lawn grasses.
If you are unsure which species a seed package contains, check the botanical name or choose a clearly labeled commercial cat-grass mixture.
Regular lawn grass is not automatically safe for cats.
Outdoor grass may be contaminated with:
Some lawn and garden products can harm pets. The risk depends on the product, the amount involved and how the cat was exposed. The Pet Poison Helpline maintains information about fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and other potential poisons.
Outdoor areas can also contain plants that look like harmless grass but are not safe to eat. Unless you know exactly what is growing in an area and how it has been treated, do not encourage your cat to graze there.
Indoor cat grass grown from pet-safe seed provides greater control over what your cat encounters.
Cat grass is relatively easy to grow, even if you do not have much gardening experience.
Use a shallow, sturdy pot with drainage holes. Cats may pull on the grass while eating it, so a lightweight container can tip over.
A wider ceramic planter or another stable container is usually a good choice. Place a saucer underneath it to catch excess water.
Fill the container with fresh potting mix. Do not reuse soil from an unknown plant or from a garden treated with lawn chemicals.
Avoid mixing essential oils, plant food or homemade pest-control products into the soil. Products described as natural are not automatically safe for cats.
Follow the directions on the seed package. Some varieties may benefit from soaking before planting, while others can be sown directly.
Spread the seeds evenly and fairly close together. Cover them with a thin layer of soil rather than burying them deeply.
Moisten the soil without soaking it. The soil should remain slightly damp while the seeds germinate, but it should not stay waterlogged.
Too much moisture and poor airflow can encourage mold growth.
Place the container in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Good airflow can help prevent excessive moisture from collecting around the plants.
Keep the container out of your cat’s reach until the roots are established. Otherwise, an eager cat may pull out the seedlings before they are ready.
Germination time depends on the seed variety and growing conditions. Many cat-grass seeds begin sprouting within several days.
Wait until the grass is approximately three to four inches tall before offering it to your cat. The shoots should look green, fresh and firmly rooted.
Place the container in an easy-to-clean area and allow your cat to investigate. Supervise the first few sessions so you can see whether your cat nibbles gently or tries to pull out large mouthfuls.
Cat grass does not last indefinitely. Depending on the growing conditions, it may stay fresh for one to three weeks.
Discard it if you notice:
Starting a second container several days after the first can create a simple rotation of fresh grass.
Most cats only nibble a few blades at a time. Still, it is wise to supervise your cat until you understand how they interact with the plant.
Follow these safety guidelines:
Place the container away from toxic plants so your cat does not learn that every indoor plant is available for chewing.
You may hear that cats eat grass to eliminate hairballs. Although grass provides fiber, there is not enough evidence to consider it a dependable hairball treatment.
An occasional hairball may not be unusual, especially in long-haired cats or during shedding season. Frequent vomiting, repeated unproductive retching, appetite changes or difficulty passing stool should not be dismissed as a routine hairball problem.
Regular brushing can reduce the amount of loose fur a cat swallows. Your veterinarian can help determine whether a hairball diet, supplement or further examination is appropriate.
Pica is the persistent eating of non-food items such as fabric, plastic, paper, rubber or litter. Cat grass may give some cats an appropriate plant to chew, but it does not treat the underlying cause of pica.
Pica can be connected to medical conditions, nutritional problems, stress, compulsive behavior or insufficient stimulation. Swallowed objects can also create a dangerous intestinal blockage.
Schedule a veterinary examination if your cat repeatedly eats non-food materials. Keep dangerous objects secured and note what your cat eats, how often the behavior occurs and whether you have observed any digestive or behavioral changes.
Environmental enrichment may be one part of a management plan. Safe toys, play sessions, climbing areas and opportunities to explore different textures can all help keep an indoor cat engaged.
Occasional nibbling on safe cat grass is usually not an emergency. Contact your veterinarian if your cat:
If you suspect poisoning, contact your veterinarian or a pet poison-control service immediately. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional specifically instructs you to do so.
Cat grass is a general term for young cereal grasses grown for cats. It usually consists of wheat, oat, barley or rye grass. It is not the same plant as catnip.
Grass can irritate the stomach or be difficult for a cat to digest, particularly if the cat eats too much or swallows long blades. However, research suggests vomiting is not the reason every cat eats grass, and many cats do not vomit after grazing.
Repeated vomiting warrants a call to your veterinarian.
Most healthy cats can nibble small amounts of clean, untreated wheatgrass. It should be free from mold, pesticides, fertilizers and other contaminants.
Cat grass may be suitable for an older kitten that is eating solid food, but it should be offered under supervision and in small amounts. Ask your veterinarian before offering it to a very young kitten or one with digestive or medical problems.
There is no standard serving size because cat grass is optional enrichment rather than a necessary part of a cat’s diet. Most cats only need access for occasional nibbling.
Remove the container and contact your veterinarian if your cat consumes large quantities, vomits repeatedly or develops other symptoms.
Cat grass often remains usable for approximately one to three weeks, depending on the seed variety, light, watering and indoor conditions. Replace it sooner if it becomes moldy, slimy, yellow or foul-smelling.
The grass itself may not always be toxic, but lawns can contain pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste, parasites and unsafe plants. Indoor cat grass grown from untreated seed is a more controlled option.
No. Cats require a complete, balanced diet formulated for their life stage. Cat grass is an optional form of enrichment, not an essential food or dietary supplement.
Why do cats eat grass? There is no single proven explanation. For many cats, occasional grazing appears to be a normal behavior involving instinct, sensory stimulation or simple enjoyment.
A small container of properly grown wheat, oat, barley or rye grass can provide indoor cats with a safer alternative to lawns and unknown houseplants. Use untreated seed, prevent mold, supervise your cat and remember that cat grass is enrichment rather than medicine.
If grass eating becomes excessive or occurs with vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea, lethargy or other concerning symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
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