Cat Grass for Cats: Benefits, Safety, Wheat vs Rye & How to Grow It at Home

Have you ever caught your cat chewing on grass and wondered why? Grass-eating is a fairly common behaviour in cats, including indoor cats. Cat grass gives them a simple way to explore and nibble on fresh greenery indoors, without relying on grass from lawns or gardens that may have been treated with chemicals.

But what exactly is cat grass? Is it safe? Do cats actually need it? And what is the difference between wheat and rye cat grass?

In this guide, we'll explain what cat grass is, why cats may enjoy it, how to grow it at home, and how to choose a simple cat grass growing kit.

What Is Cat Grass?

"Cat grass" isn't actually one particular species of plant. The term is generally used for young cereal grasses grown specifically for pets to nibble on.

Common types include:

• Wheat grass (wheatgrass)
• Rye grass
• Oat grass
• Barley grass

Many cat grass products contain one type of grass, while others use a mixture. Wheat and rye are both commonly used for indoor cat grass.

Cat grass is different from catnip. Catnip is primarily associated with a scent-driven behavioural response, while cat grass is normally grown for cats to chew and nibble.

Why Do Cats Eat Grass?

Nobody can say with certainty that every cat eats grass for the same reason. Some cats seem to genuinely enjoy chewing fresh grass, while others may be attracted to the texture, taste or simply the opportunity to explore something different.

Grass can also provide a small amount of plant material and fibre. Cats are obligate carnivores and should receive their essential nutrition from a complete and balanced cat diet, so cat grass should be thought of as an optional enrichment activity rather than a replacement for cat food.

For indoor cats, growing a small pot of cat grass can also provide an interesting environmental enrichment activity.

Cat grass and houseplants

If your cat likes chewing greenery, providing an appropriate grass option may be preferable to allowing them to investigate your houseplants.

This is particularly important because not every plant that looks like grass is safe for cats. Some common ornamental plants and houseplants can be toxic.

Growing an identified cat-grass variety specifically for your pet makes it easier to know exactly what your cat is eating.

Is Cat Grass Safe for Cats?

Generally, purpose-grown cat grass such as wheat, oat, barley or rye grass is considered a safe option for cats when offered appropriately. The bigger concern is often where the grass came from and what it has been exposed to.

For example, grass growing beside a road, in a public park or on a treated lawn may have been exposed to pesticides, herbicides, fertilisers or other chemicals. That is one reason many indoor cat owners prefer to grow their own cat grass.

The RSPCA notes that cats may benefit from access to grass, while also recommending avoiding chemically treated grass and toxic plants. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="1"}

Wheat vs Rye Cat Grass: What's the Difference?

If you're choosing a cat grass growing kit, you may come across different seed varieties. Two common options are wheat and rye.

There isn't one variety that is automatically "best" for every cat. Some cats may prefer the texture of one grass over another. If your cat enjoys one type, there's no particular reason to switch simply because another variety is available.

How to Grow Cat Grass at Home

One of the easiest ways to give an indoor cat fresh grass is to grow it yourself. A small growing kit can make the process much simpler because you don't need to work out which seeds, planter and growing setup to buy separately.

Step 1: Choose your cat grass seeds

Start with seeds intended for growing pet grass. Wheat, oat, barley and rye are commonly used varieties.

Check the product instructions carefully and follow the recommended growing method for your particular kit.

Step 2: Prepare the planter

Use the planter and growing medium supplied with your kit, following its instructions. Good drainage and avoiding excessive moisture are important because persistently wet growing conditions can encourage mould.

Step 3: Plant the seeds

Spread the seeds evenly according to the instructions supplied with your kit. Cat grass is normally grown quite densely, producing a small patch of fresh green shoots rather than individual widely spaced plants.

Step 4: Keep the seeds moist

Water according to the growing instructions. The growing medium should remain appropriately moist without becoming waterlogged.

Step 5: Give it suitable light

Place the planter somewhere with suitable natural light and keep it away from anything that could contaminate the grass with cleaning products, pesticides or other chemicals.

Step 6: Let your cat investigate

Once the grass has grown sufficiently, place it somewhere your cat can safely investigate and nibble.

Some cats will immediately start chewing. Others will sniff it, ignore it for a few days and then suddenly decide it is interesting. Every cat is different.

How to Keep Cat Grass Fresh

Cat grass is best treated as a living plant rather than something that lasts forever. Keep an eye on the grass and growing medium every day.

• Remove any obviously mouldy grass or growing medium.
• Avoid keeping the growing medium constantly soaked.
• Keep the planter in an appropriate location with suitable light.
• Replace the grass when it becomes old, yellow or unhealthy.
• Consider growing another batch before the current batch is completely finished.

A simple rotation system can work well: start a new planter while your cat is still enjoying the current one. This can help you maintain a supply of younger, fresh shoots.

Our Cat Grass Growing Kit

If you'd like to grow cat grass at home without buying a separate planter and figuring everything out from scratch, Pawsome Lane offers a Cat Grass Growing Kit with a reusable planter.

The reusable planter makes it possible to grow fresh cat grass again rather than treating the container as a single-use item.

Wheat Cat Grass

Grow fresh wheat cat grass at home with a reusable planter.

View the Cat Grass Growing Kit →

Rye Cat Grass

Another simple option for growing fresh indoor cat grass.

View the Cat Grass Growing Kit →

Cat Grass Is Especially Useful for Indoor Cats

Outdoor cats can naturally encounter different types of vegetation as they explore. Indoor cats don't have the same opportunities.

A small planter of cat grass can add another form of environmental enrichment to an indoor cat's routine. Your cat can sniff it, investigate it, rub against it or nibble on it depending on what they enjoy.

It doesn't need to become a complicated part of your cat's routine. Think of it as giving your cat another safe and interesting thing to explore.

Does Every Cat Like Cat Grass?

No. And that's completely normal.

Some cats will immediately start eating cat grass. Others will completely ignore it. Some may prefer wheat, while others may show more interest in another variety.

If your cat doesn't like it, there's no need to force them to eat it. Cat grass is optional enrichment, not an essential component of a properly formulated feline diet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Grass

Is cat grass safe for cats?

Purpose-grown cat grass such as wheat, oat, barley and rye grass is generally considered safe for cats when used appropriately. Avoid letting cats eat grass that may have been treated with pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="2"}

Can kittens eat cat grass?

Cat grass is generally offered as optional enrichment rather than as a nutritional requirement. For kittens, their main nutrition should come from an appropriate complete kitten diet. If you have concerns about your kitten eating grass, especially in large quantities, ask your veterinarian.

Is wheatgrass the same as cat grass?

Not exactly. Wheatgrass is one type of cat grass. "Cat grass" is a general term for young grasses grown for cats to nibble, and may include wheat, oat, barley or rye. :chatgpt-content-reference{index="3"}

Can cats eat rye grass?

Rye is one of the cereal grasses commonly used in cat grass products. When grown specifically for pets and free from harmful chemical treatments, it can be offered as an option for cats to nibble.

Does cat grass help with hairballs?

You may see cat grass marketed as helping with hairballs or digestion, but it is better not to treat cat grass as a medical treatment. Some cats may appear to benefit from eating grass, but repeated vomiting or persistent hairball problems should be discussed with a veterinarian.

Can indoor cats eat cat grass?

Yes. Indoor cats are one of the main reasons owners choose to grow cat grass. It provides an easily accessible source of fresh greenery without requiring the cat to go outside and chew potentially treated lawn grass.

How often should I grow new cat grass?

There is no single replacement schedule that works for every planter. Monitor the grass for freshness, yellowing, mould and general condition, and follow the instructions for your particular growing kit.

Final Thoughts: Is Cat Grass Worth Growing?

For cats that enjoy nibbling greenery, cat grass can be a simple and inexpensive form of indoor enrichment.

The biggest advantage is that you can control what you're growing and provide your cat with an identified grass specifically intended for pet use, rather than allowing them to chew random plants or potentially treated outdoor grass.

Wheat and rye are both common choices, and the "best" option ultimately depends on what your individual cat enjoys.

If you'd like to try growing your own, check out the Pawsome Lane Cat Grass Growing Kit with Reusable Planter .

Give your indoor cat something fresh to sniff, explore and nibble.