Why Do Cats Eat Grass

Why Do Cats Eat Grass

Regardless of the type of cat you have, you may have noticed that they are prone to eating grass more often than not.

You may think this is quite odd behaviour, especially if the cat is sick afterwards, but there is nothing for you to be concerned about.

But why do cats eat grass? There are a number of theories.

Grass Is Nature’s Laxative

One theory why cats eat grass is that it acts as a natural laxative beating any cases of indigestion. If you see your cat being sick on a regular basis and leaving wet furballs around the home, it is usually part of how the cat breaks down digestive threats.

When the fur moves into the digestive tract, the cat needs more help to break it down to pass it out the other end. This is where grass may become very useful for the cat to clean out their system.

The Evolution of a Cat

If you're wondering why your cat regurgitates when they eat grass this is because they don't have the necessary enzymes to break down vegetable matter. As cats will remove anything indigestible from its digestive tract, this will make them feel a lot better. While your cat may not like the act of being sick, it is an important part of their evolution.

Cats eat their prey as they are, which includes the edible and inedible parts. You only have to look at the popular example of your cat going for a common everyday bird and thinking nothing of chewing on the feathers which may prove troublesome with their digestive tract.

The Nutrients in Grass

Another theory why cats eat grass is that the juices in grass contain folic acid. As folic acid assists the cats in producing hemoglobin, which helps move oxygen around the cat’s blood, and is essential for cat’s bodily functions, this is a natural version of mother's milk.

So, it may be a sixth sense that your cat goes for grass. There is also another theory that cats eat grass when they have sore throats. But as you can see, they like to chew on grass for many reasons.

What Can I Do?

As you can see, cats eating grass isn't a bad thing. But you need to be vigilant, especially if you have an outdoor cat. Because cats will eat any sort of grass, it's your responsibility to make sure they are non-toxic. The best thing you can do is purchase a tray of grass for your cat or start a herbal garden.

Because cats may accidentally ingest herbicides, pesticides, or chemicals, you need to ensure you give your cat a healthy alternative to outdoor grass. This is especially true if you've got a cat that is prone to chewing on your lovely landscaping.

You don't need to be concerned about your cat eating grass because they are just doing the equivalent of us eating vegetables. Grass provides essential nutrients for your cat as well as acting as a digestive assistant, so give your cat a green treat on occasion.

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