Cats are carnivores – so why all of the grass? (Picture: Getty)
Ever watched your cat having fun with a peculiar munch of some blades of grass within the garden?
Though our feline friends are obligate carnivores (meaning they need meat to thrive and survive), it’s not totally unusual to spy your kitty sniffing, licking and check out to chew on grass.
Oftentimes, the grass doesn’t appear to affect them in any respect, they usually carry on with their day. Some pet owners, nevertheless, may notice their cat will cough up or vomit afterwards – and even show signs of affected by hayfever.
So, what gives? What’s happening? Why do cats keep chowing down on grass, and is it protected for them?
Here’s what might be behind it.
Why does your cat eat grass?
There are just a few potential the explanation why your cat is drawn to blades of grass as a mid-meal snack.
Mmm… grass? (Picture: Getty)
Firstly, the behaviour is an element of a cat’s natural instinct, in accordance with research cited by Science.
Apparently, the act of grass-chewing comes naturally to them as, once upon a time, it will have helped cats do away with intestinal parasites, causing digestive distress.
It seems the behaviour (not the parasites) has passed down from ancestors and still occurs today.
Secondly, it might be that the one that you love kitty is facing a special form of digestive trouble.
In case your cat is attempting to dislodge a hairball, has an upset tum or can’t quite poop, they could eat grass to assist them get their, er, systems moving and resolve the problem.
It’s not unusual to see outdoor cats occasionally eating grass (Picture: Getty)
Cats can’t really digest grass, as they don’t have the enzymes needed, says Purina, which might explain vomiting.
So, in case your cat is the kind to vomit or cough up after eating grass, this might potentially explain why they do it.
Thirdly, your little kitty could be after some extra nutrients from grass’ juice – namely folic acid.
Is it protected for cats to eat grass?
Regardless of the case, you possibly can rest assured that it’s not unsafe to your cat to eat grass.
In truth, you may even notice that they quite enjoy a nibble, or attempting to get the blade of grass into their mouths.
There are just a few possible explanations for cat grass-eating (Picture: Getty)
Nonetheless, it can be crucial to make sure that your cat is eating ‘normal’ grass – and is evaded chemically-treated grass, comparable to lawns treated with pesticides, etc.
It’s best to also ensure there are not any plants which are toxic to cats in your own home or garden.
Animal charity Blue Cross recommends bringing some ‘indoor grass’ into your own home. This might be a pleasant option for cats who’re kept indoors in any respect times to do what’s instinctive to them.
It’s best to also keep your eyes peeled for any changes to your cat’s health, comparable to in the event that they start vomiting greater than usual after eating it, or are suddenly eating grass excessively.
More: Cats
On extremely rare occasions, kitties can get grass or a seed stuck of their nose, PetPlan says, which could cause a lot of sneezing.
When you’ve got any concerns in any respect a couple of change in your cat’s behaviour or health, speak to your vet.
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