To see your pet happy, a sure bet is grass for cats! Just offer a little grass, alpiste or even popcorn grass to prove it. Synonymous with fun, pussies can spend hours enjoying a good cat grass (those who have a house with a garden know well what we are talking about!) They play, have fun and even eat some of the grass.undergrowth.

Oh, and you can rest assured: even ingesting the grass, cats will not get sick. On the contrary, they are even good for the health and well-being of our pets. So, to understand exactly what cat grass is, benefits and the best way to grow a plantation at home, the Paws of the House has prepared a guide with everything you need to know about the subject. Come with us!

What is cat grass?

Many people confuse catnip - the famous cat grass - with the traditional grasses that are grown indoors and offered to pets. But did you know that they are not the same thing? While catnip is a plant that belongs to the mint family, cat grass is grown from wheat, corn, oats, rye and barley seeds. Also, unlike catnip grass, cat grasses are not the same thing.Grass does not serve as a stimulant or arouse animal instincts, but it can bring other benefits!

Cat grasses are sources of fiber and serve as a kind of environmental enrichment, preventing stress or anxiety in pets. But it doesn't stop there: the grass goes far beyond pure entertainment for felines. By chewing the grass, it helps to improve the cat's digestion. That's why those who live with it are already more than used to finding the cat "exploring" the plants with the grass.mouth - it's just important to be careful what you grow at home because not all types of grass are suitable for these animals.

Cat eating grass: why does it happen?

Catching a cat eating grass is more common than you might think. But what motivates this kind of behavior? Most of the answers we find on the internet are based mainly on popular belief: according to the theory, cats eat grass when they are feeling unwell because of some digestive problem. The ingestion of grass, in turn, would help the felines to feel better.expel what caused the bad feeling, especially when the cat eats something it shouldn't or is about to expel a hairball.

This is true, because one of the biggest advantages of offering grass to cats is that it stimulates digestion and can prevent diarrhea and vomiting. However, a study has proven that cats do not necessarily seek grass only when they have digestive problems: in fact, they do it regardless of any discomfort.

This is a purely instinctive behavior, and one that has a historical explanation. Even though the feline diet is strictly carnivorous, the ancestors of these animals also fed on plants to stimulate the intestinal tract and expel possible parasites from the body, functioning as a kind of vermifuge. Even with domestication, this was a natural instinct that remained with the cat.over the years, which is why cats love to eat a few plants every now and then.

What are the types of grass for cats?

1) Wheat grass for cats

This cat grass is one of the most popular and can be found in pet shops, but you can also turn to markets or natural food houses. In addition to having many vitamins and minerals, this grass yields good moments of fun for the pet and on top of that can be used for fans of the famous "green juice". That is, you and your kitten come out in profit!

Growing wheatgrass for cats is usually quite simple: all you need to do is moisturise the seeds before placing them in a pot with soil. There is also the possibility of planting without soil, with the greenhouse strategy.

2) Birdseed grass for cats

There are two ways to find alpiste grass seeds for cats: packaged in sawdust suitable for felines or for birds. The second version is the most economical and can be used in the same way, without causing any harm to the animal. The only thing that differs from each other is the packaging format and the quantity. It is also possible to find the grass already developed, which costs more than the first one.a little more expensive.

To grow it from scratch, the recommendation is to leave the alpiste seeds in a bowl of water for about 24 hours. This activates the germination process and favors the growth of the plant much faster.

3) Corn grass for cats

This is the most popular version among geckos who prefer to plant cat grass at home. In addition to the great cost benefit, cultivation is very simple and the plant already starts to give the first shoots very quickly. The only attention is that corn grass for cats cannot be made with microwave popcorn corn, which comes already packaged ready to enter the appliance. The idealis to use natural popcorn corn.

Cat grass: avoid flowering plants or those that are potentially toxic

You can already tell that cat grass is very successful, but it is very important to be careful with the choice of what you grow at home. Although cat grass is healthy and can be offered without problems to pets, there are also some poisonous plants for cats that can be very harmful to the health of animals. Some examples are:

• St. George's sword
• Tulip
• Lily
• Azalea
• Cup of milk

The recommendation, in general, is to avoid flowering plants or those that are considered toxic. There are several lists on the internet that reveal which plants are safe for cats or not, but it is also worth talking to a trusted professional if you want to buy a different species that is not on the lists.

Oh, and remember: having a plant at home doesn't mean it should be offered to kitty, even if it's non-toxic. That's what cat grasses are for!

5 benefits of grass for cats

1) Assists feline digestion.

2) Cat grass is rich in fiber and other nutrients.

3) Prevents intestinal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea.

4) It is a natural and healthy snack.

5) It can be used to help expel hairballs.

Cat grass: how to choose the best type for your friend?

Any of the types of cat grass is a valid option for entertaining and dealing with a stressed cat! But usually what weighs most in this choice is the question of cost-effectiveness, as well as practicality. So, for those looking for something uncomplicated, the suggestion is to look for seedlings of plants already grown, ready to bury. For those who like to get their hands dirty, cat grass is a good option.Another tip that can work is to put several types of seeds in a single container and, after the grass starts to grow, just observe your pet's preference!

What is the ideal amount and frequency to offer grass to cats?

As it is something that is part of the cat's instincts, there is not much to worry about: the pet will usually consume a regular amount of undergrowth without exaggeration. So our suggestion is to leave the cat grass available at all times, because it is not something that does harm and the animal itself has the notion of "limit" and are satisfied with little.

If you happen to notice your kitten eating a very large amount of grass, the reason may be a nutritional deficit. In such cases, the best thing to do is to take him to the vet to understand if he has anemia or some other health problem.

How to plant cat grass? Check out a step by step!

We have already mentioned a few times that cat grass can be planted in your own home (even if you live in an apartment or in a house without a yard, for example). So, if you want to learn how to plant cat grass with popcorn corn or any of the seeds indicated in this article, just follow the guidelines below:

Step 1: Choose the type of cat grass seed;

Step 2: Set aside a container - such as a pot - for planting;

Step 3: Place soil with compost (preferably organic) inside the container, reserving a little to cover the grains;

Step 4: Spray water until the soil is very moist;

Step 5: Add the cat grass seeds (about 200g of popcorn corn is enough, depending on the size of the container)

Step 6: Cover the grains with the reserved soil;

Step 7: Spray water again until damp;

Step 8: Place the pot in a well-lit window and water every other day. It is important not to water it, or the cat grass may not grow;

Step 9: Avoid the cat coming into contact with the plant during the whole process, or it may be tempted to mess around and destroy all the work.

Step 10: It takes a few weeks for the grass to grow. When the leaves are about 6 centimetres long, it is the right time to offer it to your pet!