Why Do Cats Eat Grass?
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Cats are strictly carnivorous animals, so the mainstay of their nutrition is protein from animal origin, such as; beef, chicken, turkey or fish. However, cats can also benefit from the consumption of some fruits and vegetables, which are actually sometimes good for their health. Cats also sometimes eat plants driven by their own free will. Have you noticed your cat eat grass and every wondered why they do this?
There are many reasons that can explain why cats eat grass. But the real questions is, can cats eat grass? If you want to know why cats sometimes eat grass, you’ve come to the right place. Here at AnimalWised we will be discussing the reasons why cats sometimes eat plants and whether or not it is good or bad for them.
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Why do cats eat grass and vomit?
So, what does it mean when cats eat grass? One of the main reasons cats eat grass is to throw up. By throwing up, it helps them relieve digestive disorders and detoxify their organism. If your cat has, for example, eaten too much, ingested inappropriate food or eaten toxic foods for cats, your cat might eat grass to make themselves sick. Cats eat grass to induce vomiting and eliminate unwanted or harmful elements from their bodies.
If your cat has just eaten grass and begins to gag and vomit, this is likely the reason why. Although nature is very wise, if you do notice that your cat vomits or is experiencing digestive problems like diarrhea; take it to the vet as soon as possible. We recommend avoiding all forbidden foods for cats.
However, cats do not always consume plants to puke. If this were true, cats would be gagging and vomiting every time they eat any herbs, which does not happen. Cats also eat grass to accelerate their intestinal transit and improve digestion, since plants provide a cat’s body with a high supply of fibers. In these cases, it is not common for a cat to vomit, but it is possible that it will defecate more; as grass translates to a type of cat laxative.
Why do cats eat grass when they are sick?
Cats eat grass sometimes to tackle deficiencies. If a cat does not receive complete and balanced nutrition, it will sometimes consume herbs to supplement its diet and combat nutritional deficiencies. Besides being rich in fiber, plants are sources of folic acid. Folic acid is a vitamin B complex that participates in the formation of cells and tissues, improves blood circulation, helps strengthen the immune system, prevents anemia and additional cat diseases.
Remember that a cat’s diet is key when it comes to its health. Not only this, but a cat’s diet is incredibly important in terms of its cognitive, emotional and social development. Therefore, we recommend always following the guidance of a veterinarian when feeding your cat. A cat’s diet needs to be appropriate to its age, size, breed and state of health. For more, take a look at our article on; What Is The Best Diet For Cats?
Why do cats eat grass and poo
The high fiber content in plants helps stimulate intestinal transit. This means that can eat grass to combat and prevent constipation in cats. If your cat has difficulty defecating regularly or its stools are very hard and difficult to pass, your cat may eat grass to relieve uncomfortable and painful symptoms of constipation[1].
Cats defecate daily and their stools are neither dry nor soft. In general, you can consider that your cat is constipated if it has pooed in two days or more. Therefore, if you notice that your cat has not defecated in 2 or 3 days, we suggest consulting a veterinarian near you.
Should cats eat grass?
Now, for the most important question; is grass bad for cats? In principle, eating grass is not harmful to cats. Vegetables are natural sources of fiber, vitamins and some minerals that can in fact help to strengthen a cat’s immune system. This is in addition to improving a cat’s digestion and prevent constipation. A cat’s body prepared to consume grass in specific situations; to protect its health and conserve the balance of its metabolism.
However, as a cat owner, be vigilant. It is important to analyse the reasons why your cat is eating grass. Check to see if this behavior is accompanied by other symptoms. For example, if your cat is loosing weight or looking thin and eating regularly, consult a veterinarian. These joint symptoms are most likely a sign of nutritional deficiency in cats.
On the other hand, if you notice that your cat hasn’t been going to the bathroom regularly, or if you notice any alteration in your cats feces; take it to the vet. A professional will be able to clarify whether constipation, internal parasites or hairballs in cats are the cause.
Logically, the consumption of toxic plants for cats is strictly prohibited for all cats. Some toxic plants for cats include; Amaryllis, Lilies, Azaleas, Aloe and Allysum[2]. To ensure that your cat can eat grass safely, we recommend that you always have catnip or natural cat malt in your home. You can also grow beneficial plants for cats, which are grown without the use of pesticides which can be poisonous for cats. Additionally cat grass, which can be bought from your local pet store, is a great alternative to stop your cat from eating plants from outside.
Remember that our AnimalWised articles are simply informative and in no way substitute specialized veterinary advice. Therefore, when observing any change in your cat’s behavior, we recommend taking it to a veterinarian immediately.
Why do cats eat grass: plants good for cats
In addition to catnip or cat grass, cats can eat plants such as; Valerian, Dandelion, Chamomile, Basil or Rosemary. All of these plants provide different properties which are beneficial to your cat’s health. However, as we have already mentioned, these plants should never substitute the base of a cat’s diet, they should only compliment a cat’s normal feed. For more, we recommend taking a look at our article where we discuss; Recommended Fruits And Vegetables For Cats.
If you want to read similar articles to Why Do Cats Eat Grass?, we recommend you visit our Facts about the animal kingdom category.
