There's a myth in the pet care community that the only reason cats eat grass is to induce vomiting when they have an upset stomach. According to Dr Emily Payne, this may not necessarily be true when it comes to your cat.
HEALTH BENEFIT
Your cat may graze on grass to boost its vitamin levels. Grass contains a nutrient called folic acid, which helps move oxygen through the blood stream. Some experts theorise that eating grass may also help ease sore throats, while others believe cats do it simply because they enjoy the taste and texture.
One of the most common theories behind why do cats eat grass is that it helps with stomach upset. This is linked to the fact that they tend to throw up after they eat it, as cat's actually lack the appropriate enzymes needed to digest grass.
Due to this, it's thought that they may eat it to try and help them to regurgitate, thus helping them clear their system of anything they couldn't digest such as their own hair or feathers and bones from prey.
When eaten in moderation and providing it hasn't been treated with any pesticides or herbicides, cats eating grass is completely fine. However, if your cat eats grass a lot, it could get stuck inside their nasal chambers and cause them to sneeze excessively. If this happens, you'll need to contact your vet immediately to have it manually removed.
If your cat's in the habit of snacking on plants and grass, you should make sure that all of your houseplants are non-toxic. Certain popular houseplants like Kalanchoes and Lilies are actually poisonous to cats and can cause a mild to severe reaction.
If your cat ingests a poisonous plant, always ensure that you take them to the vet for treatment. Find out which of your plants are poisonous to your cat with our
HEALTHY PLANTS
If you want to ensure that your cat is only eating grass that's safe, you can purchase pots of cat grass which will give your kitty their own personal patch to graze on. This will not only satisfy their need to munch, but it can also prevent them from chomping on your much-loved houseplants.
