Cat grass

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Cat grass is a colloquial term for trays or pots of young cereal grasses, most commonly wheat (Triticum aestivum), barley (Hordeum vulgare), oat (Avena sativa), and sometimes rye (Secale cereale) that are grown indoors for cats to chew as environmental enrichment. "Cat grass" is distinct from catnip (Nepeta cataria), an aromatic mint whose leaves elicit rubbing and rolling behavior via iridoids (e.g., nepetalactone) rather than via ingestion. [1] [2]

Contents

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Searchtool.svg Scanning electron micrograph: leaf serrations/trichomes interlocking with hair [3]

Terminology

The term "cat grass" generally refers to tender, edible cereal grasses grown for pets and should not be confused with lawn grasses (which may be treated with herbicides or pesticides) nor with catnip or silver vine, which act via olfactory stimulation rather than ingestion. [1] [4] [2]

Species and composition

Commercial and home-grown cat grass typically comprises wheatgrass, barley grass, oat grass, and/or rye, sown densely and cut or presented at the sprout/microgreen stage (about 7–14 days). [1] Cereal grasses at this stage contain fiber (including soluble fractions), chlorophyll, and water-soluble vitamins (e.g., some B vitamins), with composition varying by species, harvest age, and growing conditions. [5]

Use by domestic cats

Cat grass is domestic cats is common, it's viewed positively in many cultures, while cat owners self report positive impact on their cats wellbeing as a form of enrichment, a 2021 survey of >3,000 cats reported that most cats appear normal before eating plants; ~27–37% vomit afterward; and long-haired cats do not eat plants more often than short-haired cats—findings arguing against hairball-purge and illness hypotheses at the population level. [6]

In contrast, a 2025 case study examined six naturally regurgitated plant masses from two domestic cats using scanning electron microscopy and chloroplast DNA barcoding; microscopic serrations and/or trichomes on leaves were observed interlocking with animal hairs in all samples. The authors argue these observations are consistent with a mechanical hair-evacuation function for plant-eating in at least some cats, while noting the small sample size and the need for broader studies. [3]

Health and safety

Only non-toxic species should be offered, and grasses should be grown without pesticides or herbicides. Even non-toxic plants can cause gastrointestinal upset or vomiting if eaten rapidly or in large quantities. [4] Persistent vomiting warrants clinical evaluation to rule out gastrointestinal disease. [7]

Cultivation

Cat grass can be grown indoors year-round in shallow trays using potting media or hydroponic mats. General microgreen guidance recommends dense sowing, 1–3 days of dark "germination" with high humidity, bright light after emergence, good air movement to reduce mold, and harvest/presentation within 1–2 weeks. [8] [9] University/extension guides for wheatgrass microgreens are frequently used as proxies for "cat grass" cultivation steps. [10]

Commercial availability

Cat grass is widely available as seed kits, ready-to-grow pouches, and live trays. To illustrate formats, sources include kit brands (e.g., U.S. Pet Greens) and regional fresh-tray suppliers (e.g., UAE Sprouties). [11] [12] [13]

Research

Peer-reviewed evidence on the function of plant-eating in cats is mixed. Population-level survey work did not support hairball-purge or illness-relief as primary drivers. [6] In contrast, the 2025 microscopy/barcoding case study reported micro-scale interactions between leaf serrations/trichomes and hair within regurgitated plant masses, consistent with a mechanical role in hair evacuation for some individuals; the authors call for larger, controlled trials. [3] Across carnivores, comparative analyses indicate plant ingestion is widespread but likely has multiple functions depending on species, context, and plant type. [14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "5 Types of Cat Grass You Can Grow". PetMD. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  2. 1 2 Uenoyama, R.; Miyazaki, T.; Hatanaka, A. (2021). "The characteristic response of domestic cats to plant iridoids allows them to gain chemical defense against mosquitoes". Science Advances. 7 (5) eabd9135. Bibcode:2021SciA....7.9135U. doi:10.1126/sciadv.abd9135. PMC   7817105 . PMID   33523929.
  3. 1 2 3 Bensel, K. N.; Rudock Bowman, M. E.; Hughes, N. M. (2025). "Plant eating behavior in domestic cats: support for the hair evacuation hypothesis". Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 80: 71–76. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2025.08.002. SSRN   5243632.
  4. 1 2 "Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants List". ASPCA. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  5. ↑ Eissa, H. (2020). "Nutritional value and impact of wheatgrass juice ("green blood")". Bulletin of the National Research Centre. 44: 115. doi: 10.1186/s42269-020-0272-x .
  6. 1 2 Hart, B. L.; Hart, L. A.; Thigpen, A. P.; Willits, N. H. (2021). "Characteristics of Plant Eating in Domestic Cats". Animals. 11 (7): 1853. doi: 10.3390/ani11071853 . PMC   8300339 . PMID   34206345.
  7. ↑ "Cat-Safe Houseplants and Safety Tips". VCA Animal Hospitals. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  8. ↑ "A step-by-step guide for growing microgreens at home". Penn State Extension. 9 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "Grow Microgreens at Home". Purdue Extension. 1 February 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "Directions for How to Grow a Wheatgrass Pet Pal (PDF)" (PDF). Oregon State University Extension. 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  11. ↑ "Cat Grass: The Ultimate Guide (PDF)" (PDF). Pet Greens. 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  12. ↑ "Sprouties (UAE) — Fresh cat grass". Sprouties.ae. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  13. ↑ "Sprouties — Deliveroo listing (UAE)". Deliveroo. Retrieved 7 November 2025.
  14. ↑ Yoshimura, H.; Shimada, R.; Kawabe, R. (2021). "Plant-eating carnivores: Multispecies analysis on factors affecting plant occurrence in scats and stomach contents". Ecology and Evolution. 11 (18): 12225–12239. doi:10.1002/ece3.7885. PMC   8366844 . PMID   34429895.
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