Cat grass: why it is needed and how to grow it at home

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mark_kr October 19, 2016Specialization: professional in the field of construction and repair (full cycle of finishing work, both internal and external, from sewerage to electrical and finishing work), installation of window structures. Hobbies: see the column “SPECIALIZATION AND SKILLS”

Grass should be present in the diet of any cat

If you have a cat, then you can only envy you (well, or sympathize with you if the cat is like mine). In any case, a pet requires care, and in the case of a cat, in addition to feeding and care, this also means providing it with fresh grass. Why this herb is needed and how to get it in sufficient quantities, I will tell you in this short note.

Why do cats need grass?

Wild cats eat greens regularly, while the diet of domestic cats is limited. This situation needs to be corrected, because grass is really necessary for cats, and here’s why:

1. Animals lick their fur daily. As a result, a certain amount of villi enters the stomach. The herb has an irritant effect and helps induce vomiting to prevent hair from accumulating in the body.
2. Also, the gag reflex helps the cat if she has eaten something wrong or overeat. With the help of green shoots, your pet will quickly get rid of the remains of undigested food.
3. This is how wild cats supplement their diet. Greens contain beneficial B vitamins, particularly folic acid. The animal needs it to grow.
4. The plant has a strengthening effect on the intestines.

Another reason is that animals simply like the taste of greens. They can bite grass without swallowing it. Some pets play like this. Houseplants often suffer from such habits. Scolding a cat, especially an adult, in such cases is useless. To shift the focus away from flowers, simply plant some cat grass seeds and make them available.

What grass do cats like?

Mint and valerian are the first names of herbs that come to mind when talking about what cats love. But these plants have nothing to do with food. Whiskered pets enjoy only the scent. It would never even occur to them to eat even one leaf from a fragrant branch.

Meanwhile, depending on their preferences and needs, cats eat a wide variety of grass. But there is still a list of plants that will appeal to almost everyone, regardless of breed and age.

Green cereals are well-deservedly loved by cats. Primarily these are oats, wheat and barley. Young sprouts are soft, juicy and contain many useful substances.

Some types of greens that people eat are also enjoyed by cats:

• parsley – will enrich the diet with a large amount of vitamins;
• rosemary - a pot of this plant, standing in the house, will rid the cat of fleas, especially if it chooses a place next to it;
• lemon balm (peppermint) – attracts with its bright aroma and acts as a sedative;
• thyme is a Mediterranean seasoning, respected by many culinary specialists, and also liked by gourmets among cats;
• lemongrass (lemon grass) – gives a slight calming effect, improves digestion, removes excess fluid from the body, helps in the treatment of many diseases, as it is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic.

“Took a bath” in mint
Some indoor plants also attract the attention of cats. These include:

• violets;
• chlorophytum;
• lavender;
• marigold.

Fluffy purrs also really like carrot tops.

What grass is grown for cats?

Not every herb will be useful to the animal; some types threaten poisoning. Always be careful when choosing indoor plants. Flowers such as ficus benjamina, anthurium, begonia, and geranium are toxic.

You cannot take grass from the street, even if the animal wants to try it on a walk. Such greenery is too polluted, especially within the city, and may contain parasite larvae. It is better to grow the grass cleanly yourself.

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Garden supply stores sell special grass seeds for cats. They are cheap and easy to grow. It is a good idea to plant other crops such as oats, barley, wheat and rye. Pets really like the green shoots of these cereals.

Another option is to buy already sprouted grass at a pet store.

What grass do cats eat?

global $ads_google;
//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> Deprived of the opportunity to choose vegetation, domestic cats without a walk suffer greatly from an unfulfilled instinct - then they begin to bite house flowers in an attempt to find a means to cleanse their stomach, or simply gnaw on a broom. To prevent the animal from suffering, you need to find suitable herbs for it and treat your pet.

Valerian or mint are on the list of cats' favorite greens, but purrs do not eat these plants, but only enjoy their aroma.

Cats don't like to eat just any kind of grass. They are picky eaters and know what greens suit them at the moment.

There are certain grasses that cats eat with pleasure: parsley, wheat, oats, barley. These plants are useful for your pet in every sense. Sprouted oats are considered the most favorite grass of cats . Cereals sprout with tender, juicy greens, and the tailed one constantly nibbles blades of grass. A particularly delicate meadow can be quickly cut down to the roots.

But not only useful grass grows on the windowsill, but also dangerous flowers:

• monstera;
• Decembrist;
• azaleas;
• begonia;
• ficus;
• ivy;
• dracaena.

These plants can cause serious poisoning and even death of your pet.

But here are the plants that a person can grow for his own needs, and which can be favored by the domestic purr:

• thyme;
• rosemary (if the cat often sits next to the plant, the fleas will find another coat);
• peppermint or lemon balm - the leaves can be bitten by kitty, or used as a source of alluring aroma.

Wild vagabonds prefer creeping wheatgrass as a tasty green dish.

We grow in the ground

To grow, you will need a pack of seeds, soil and a small container. The usual composition for germinating flowers, such as orchids, is suitable as soil. The soil is best light, not overloaded with fertilizers. Seeds grow well in any soil and even without it, because they do not need special nutrition for flowering and fruiting.

What container should I use for grass? There are no special requirements here either. Any deep plate, flower pot, seedling box, or even a new cat litter box will do. The shoots will grow beautifully through the mesh.

How to grow cat grass, all stages:

1. Before planting, seeds are soaked for an hour in warm water. This will speed up their germination.
2. The container is filled with soil, but not to the very top.
3. The prepared seeds are poured onto the ground.
4. They are covered with a thin layer of earth on top.
5. Seeds can also be grown in vermiculite. To do this, the substrate is soaked for an hour along with the planting material.
6. Seeds planted in the soil are moistened; vermiculite can simply be sprinkled with water.
7. Now you need to create a greenhouse effect. The growing pot is covered with transparent cling film. You can use a plastic bag.
8. In order for the grass to hatch, it is moved to a warm place, for example, near a radiator.
9. After just 2-3 days, the first sprouts of grass will appear above the ground. The greenhouse is removed only after 4-5 days. Moisten the substrate in a timely manner.
10. The pet is given a treat to chew on a week after boarding. It is advisable for the cat to eat greens directly from the garden. A torn shoot quickly withers.
11. You need to sow the seeds once a week, then the animal will be constantly supplied with a vitamin supplement.

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Advice! Monitor the amount of greens your pet eats. If you cannot tear the cat away from the garden bed, it is better to consult a veterinarian, as there may be problems with digestion. If your pet doesn't eat a treat, don't force it.

How to grow grass for cats

There are several ways to grow weed for your cat at home. It is easy to grow wheat, oats, barley, and rye at home. There will be no problems purchasing such grains.

The most important requirement for a tray for greens is that it must be stable, otherwise in the process of eating it it will certainly be knocked over.

The cat can eat the grown grass directly from the “bed” or it can be cut and added to the food.

Planting in vermiculite

To grow grass, you can use vermiculite, which is sold at any flower shop. It is a mineral with a high ability to retain moisture and contains potassium, magnesium, ammonium and calcium necessary for plants.

Benefits of vermiculite:

• Does not contain bacteria or pests.
• Ecologically pure.
• Non-toxic.
• Does not rot and has no smell.

The method is simple:

1. Before planting the seeds, they should be germinated. To do this, mix the seed with vermiculite and pour cool water for 1 hour.
2. Drain the liquid and pour the mixture into a wide, but not tall container, about half the volume so that the granules do not spill out.
3. Cover the container with cling film or glass to create greenhouse conditions. Place in a warm place, but no more than 35 degrees, otherwise the seeds may steam.
4. After germination of the first shoots, remove the film.
5. On average, a week after planting, the cat can already eat greens.
6. Every 5-6 days, pour water into the container, let stand for 10 minutes, drain off the excess. This time is enough for the vermiculite to absorb the liquid and then release it to the roots.

Method without soil

Cat grass seeds germinate well even without soil. For this method, gauze or bandage is used.

How to grow grass on cheesecloth:

1. Take a plastic container and make drainage holes at the bottom.
2. Before germination, seeds are soaked in warm water for 1-2 hours.
3. The gauze is folded into 2-3 layers and moistened.
4. Line the bottom of the plate with gauze, place the seeds on top and cover with another layer of damp gauze.
5. Keep the container in a warm place, periodically adding water.

Miss Clean magazine advises buying seeds only in special departments. In the markets you may find low-quality material treated with chemicals.

How to grow cat grass at home

A good cat owner who is not indifferent to the animal, if he notices that the pet has begun to eat house plants, will definitely take care of fresh special grass. There are no difficulties with growing plants; you just need to buy seeds and, if necessary, soil. You can immediately purchase a ready-made set, for example, with the name “Alpine Meadows”. Sprouted grass for cats is especially necessary in winter.

Often, owners choose sprouted oats as food for their affectionate pets. It can quickly produce green, juicy grass, but growth requires a greenhouse effect. You can sprout oats at home. It is better to sow the seed in several boxes at once: while the cat eats the first seed, shoots will grow in the second bowl, and shoots will begin to hatch under the lid in the third.

How to choose seeds

Many stores offer grass seeds for cats. You can buy seed on online resources - it’s even more convenient, because the photo clearly shows what the grass is. It is better not to purchase seeds in the markets, especially at low prices, because there is a possibility of purchasing low-quality products or grains treated with dangerous chemicals.

What grass do cats like?

It is generally accepted that cats' favorite plants are valerian and mint. The effect of valerian on cats is usually stimulating, although in some animals valerian, on the contrary, can induce sound sleep. Mint has a calming effect on pets. In such herbs, animals only like the smell; they eat completely different plants. As a rule, cats eat cereals: wheat, green oats, barley, rye. These seeds can be bought at pet stores and grown independently in the countryside. You can also purchase ready-made grass from Grass and Titbit and include it in your cat’s diet.

What grass do cats not like?

If valerian is a favorite plant for cats, then wormwood and onions repel animals. In addition, cats do not like citrus scents, especially lemon. Therefore, if you need to discourage your pet from something, you can place lemon peel nearby. Cats also do not like rue; all felines do not like the aromatic oil and twigs of this plant.

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How to plant grass

There are many options for growing plants for cats. If you plan to grow seeds in regular soil, then you need to fill a special container with soil in advance, leaving some space at the top. Then pour out the seed evenly and place a thin layer of soil on it. Before planting, it is best to properly wash the seeds and soak them in water for an hour.

When choosing vermiculite as a growing medium, it should be filled with water along with the seeds for about 40 minutes. After draining the liquid, pour the seeds and base into the prepared germination bowl. You can plant grass for your cat on gauze. To do this, the seeds need to be soaked in cold water (1 hour), after which the liquid is drained, gauze is placed on the bottom of the plate, grains are poured on top and covered with the rest of the cloth.

Without land

The method of growing grass in an artificial environment without soil is called hydroponics. This option for planting plants is very convenient for use at home - the method will protect you from soil scattered around the apartment. To implement it, you will need:

• plastic plates - 2 pcs.;
• any seeds;
• gauze;
• cotton wool;
• plastic bag;
• water.

Landing:

1. Small holes are made in one of the plates so that excess moisture can drain out.
2. The holey plate is placed inside the whole one, and a layer of cotton wool is placed on the bottom.
3. Pour water over everything, add grain and cover with gauze.
4. Water again and cover the plates with a plastic bag.
5. After the grain has sprouted, you need to remove the bag.

Into the soil layer

To germinate grass at home, you need to prepare:

• seeds;
• soil (preferably vermiculite, a mineral that looks like yellow plates);
• a container where the grass will grow (pot, deep plate);
• film.

Landing:

1. Before planting, grass seeds should be washed and soaked in water for an hour.
2. Pour the soil into a container, leave space on top for the seeds and distribute them evenly on the soil base.
3. Add another layer of soil and water.
4. Stretch cling film or plastic bag tightly over the container to create a greenhouse effect.
5. The mini-vegetable garden is placed on a radiator or cabinet. For 3 days, forget about the existence of plants. The seeds should germinate on the 3rd day, remove the bag after 4 days.
6. On day 6, you can safely offer your pet to chew some delicious grass.
7. Grown herbs should not be stored for a long time.

Grass toys

It will be interesting for a small kitten to play with a figurine from which greenery grows. It can be any object made of fabric - a person, an animal, etc. It’s easy to sew a toy with your own hands, for example, from an old nylon sock. Cat grass seeds and sawdust are placed inside. The contents are moistened, then the fabric is stitched. The grass will sprout if you regularly soak the fabric with warm water.

Take the time to grow your cat's green treats yourself. Your pet will appreciate it!

What grass should cats not eat?

Despite the fact that street grass is considered the most succulent, today it can not only benefit your pet, but also cause poisoning. This is due to several factors. For example, the main one is the environmental background in the region. The foliage of blades of grass can be poisonous; in addition, grass, like a sponge, absorbs harmful substances in the air.

This includes exhaust gas from passing cars and pesticides sprayed nearby. The body of an already weakened animal may not be able to cope with such problems, thereby aggravating the situation. In addition, few people thought about the fact that helminth eggs are often present on street grass. And these are new, but extremely undesirable problems for a pet.

To learn how to grow grass for your cat yourself, watch the video below.

How to plant grass for a cat

Oats, wheat and barley are low-maintenance crops. There are several options for growing cat grass at home.

Option number 1: planting grass in the ground

Suitable for those cat owners who have free space on the balcony. You will need an oblong container for the earth. You can buy ready-made soil (compost) at a veterinary store. However, it is worth making sure that the soil is not oversaturated with vitamin supplements.

The container for growing crops must have a drainage system, which consists of small holes in the bottom. There should also be a stand to drain excess moisture. It is necessary to fill the container with soil, water well and allow the excess to drain. Then randomly sow barley or millet seeds (you can also buy grass seeds for cats at a pet store). Cover with film and place on the sunny side of the apartment. The film can be removed only after the wheat sprouts appear and sprout (2-3 cm).

Option number 2: grass for a cat without soil

For the soilless growing method you will also need a container (a wide, shallow plate), cotton wool, gauze and film. Line the bottom of the container with cotton wool 3-5 cm thick. Then pour plenty of water on the cotton wool and place a layer of gauze (bandage) on top. The grains need to be sown in random order, then cover the entire surface of the container with film and place it on the window. During the formation of the greenhouse effect, it is important not to open the film, so there should be a lot of water initially. After 5 days, the first light shoulder straps of wheat will appear, the grain will become soaked and begin to germinate abundantly. At this point, you can remove the film, periodically adding water. The film is completely removed when the sprouted grass for cats begins to turn green and grows 3-5 cm.

It is important to remember that you cannot buy seeds on the market. There is a possibility that such seeds were pre-treated with chemicals against parasites. And this is already dangerous for the health of your cat. Choose portioned seed packets from your veterinary pharmacy. The price of such planting crops will not be burdensome for your budget.

When the house grass for cats has grown sufficiently, you can place the container in a place accessible to the animal. Usually, even domestic cats control the amount of grass they eat. Don’t worry if your pet didn’t initially show a desire to feast on the shoots of succulent grass: natural instincts will help your beloved cat use nature’s reserves at the moment when it is necessary.