Cats Love Grass: Solutions for Feline Herbivores!

Boredom

Yes, you read that right; one of the reasons pets might engage in foraging is due to boredom. When your energetic furry friend isn't receiving adequate mental or physical stimulation to keep them active, they might start to seek out food out of sheer boredom. If this behavior persists over a long period, it can become a habitual one.

Alleviating Stomach Discomfort

● A study led by Professor Benjamin L. Hart from the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of California, Davis, involved 47 dog owners who regularly fed their pets grass. Four dogs were found to exhibit signs of illness before they acted, and six dogs reportedly vomited after their actions.

● In a large online survey of 3,000 dog owners (with 1,571 relevant responses), 8% of the respondents claimed their dogs showed signs of illness before eating grass, while 22% reported their dogs vomited after eating it. These findings suggest that dogs may eat grass to alleviate stomach discomfort. Some scientists believe that grass blades can irritate the intestinal walls, leading to vomiting.

Eliminating Stomach Parasites

According to Dr. Benjamin L. Hart, dogs and cats have a historical precedent of consuming plants. In samples of feces and stomach contents from wild canid and felid species, plant remains were found in 2% to 74% of the samples. This may indicate a biological purpose for consuming plants. One theory posits that cats and dogs eat plants to clear intestinal parasites, which could explain why younger dogs, who are more susceptible to parasites, are more likely to eat grass.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Plants contain fiber, roughage, and certain enzymes beneficial to pets. Some scientists believe that pets may eat grass when they lack fiber, minerals, or enzymes in their diet. They might turn to a plantbased diet to aid in the quick digestion of food and improve intestinal health.

Is It Safe for Dogs and Cats to Eat Grass?

Eating grass is a normal behavior for cats and dogs, but it's crucial to ensure they stay away from grass treated with pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, as these chemicals can be fatal to pets. Dogs and cats may also ingest parasites while eating grass, leading to discomfort and serious health issues. If your pet shows symptoms of potential parasitic infection, such as blood in urine, vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss, seek veterinary care immediately.

How to Prevent Cats from Eating Grass

After reading the above article, we can understand that cats and dogs eating grass is a normal phenomenon, but there are certain risks involved.

Training

If your pet tries to eat grass, gently discourage them by saying "leave it." To speed up the process, praise your pet and reward them with treats each time they respond to your command. With a bit of patience, you can train your pet to stop this behavior.

Provide Mental and Physical Stimulation

Engage in regular play sessions to stimulate your pet. Providing a variety of toys can also be a great idea.

Feeding Healthy Plants

It's recommended to offer fresh fruits and vegetables to pets to supplement any nutritional deficiencies in their diet.

Eating grass is a natural behavior for dogs and cats, and it can even be beneficial to their health. Some pet owners find it helpful to provide a safe way for their pets to graze. The best approach is to plant grass in a container for them to enjoy.