Age Guide: When Can Cats Start Eating Cat Grass?

Part 1: Why Do Cats Eat Cat Grass?

Cats enjoy a variety of benefits from consuming cat grass. For instance, catnip is rich in plant vitamins, which are highly beneficial for a cat's health. Moreover, cat grass aids in the elimination of hairballs, helping to prevent severe cases of hairball syndrome in cats.

It also serves to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort in cats. When a cat experiences issues like bloating, indigestion, or eating too quickly, offering some cat grass can induce vomiting and assist the cat in expelling the contents of its stomach.

Lastly, cat grass is a favorite among many felines, making it an excellent choice to soothe a cat's stress and anxiety, offering both mental and physical benefits during times of tension.

Part 2: When Can Cats Start Eating Cat Grass?

Many pet owners wonder when their cats can start enjoying cat grass. The truth is, there's no strict timeline for introducing cat grass. It's best to consider the cat's growth and development.

Some cats may start eating cat grass as early as March, while others might not begin until they're six months old. There's no strict schedule for cat grass consumption; it's generally based on the cat's growth, gastrointestinal health, and dental development. However, very young kittens, such as those in the nursing stage, should not be given cat grass.

For longhaired cats that shed a lot and frequently groom themselves, starting with cat grass as early as 23 months can help with hairball removal. If the cat grass isn't effective, consider supplementing with a hairball preventive gel containing lecithin and vitamin B, which can help maintain coat health and protect the digestive system while reducing shedding.

For shorthaired cats that shed less and don't groom as frequently, you can reduce the amount of cat grass or delay its introduction.

Part 3: How Often Should Cats Eat Cat Grass?

So, how frequently should you offer cat grass to your cat? It largely depends on the cat's shedding patterns. If your cat is shedding heavily, you might want to offer cat grass every 12 days. If your cat isn't in the midst of a shedding season, once a week should suffice.

It's important to note that if your cat is already experiencing hairball vomiting, it indicates a more severe case of hairball syndrome. In such cases, cat grass can only act as a supplementary aid in hairball expulsion. It's advisable to use a hairball preventive gel promptly to help your cat expel the hairballs. Products like Weil's Hairball Relief Tablets and catspecific hairball prevention gels can help cats pass hairballs through feces safely, without harmful chemicals or mineral oils, ensuring a reliable solution.

Tip: If your cat is vomiting and the vomit has an unusual smell or color, it's best to consult an online veterinarian for advice!