Cat Eats Grass

Your cat eats grass to vomit up hairballs.

Cats are carnivores and lack the enzymes needed to digest grass and other plant material. That’s why cats often vomit after eating grass. This behaviour may serve the purpose of helping them expel hairballs and other indigestible remains of prey animals.

Does your cat keep eating grass and vomiting? Then visit your veterinarian for a check-up!

Note: blades of grass can get stuck in your cat’s throat or nasal cavity after vomiting. This can cause swallowing, coughing, or gagging. If your cat shows this behaviour after bringing up grass, visit your veterinarian and mention that your cat has eaten grass.

You can also support a cat that frequently suffers from hairballs with special food or paste. Vetality’s maintenance food, for example, contains specific fibres that help eliminate hairballs. If you prefer not to change your cat’s food but still want to offer support, you can opt for a hairball paste, such as Vétoquinol Care Hairballs.

View our full range of hairball products for cats here.

Your cat eats grass for the nutrients.

Cats are believed to eat grass as a natural source of fibre. Additionally, grass contains a lot of folic acid. Cats in the wild often don’t get enough of this through their natural diet.

The current diet of the domesticated house cat does contain folic acid, but the instinct to eat grass still remains.

Your cat eats grass because it tastes good.

Cats enjoy eating grass. That’s why special cat grass has been developed just for them.

It’s not always safe when your cat eats grass outside. It’s often contaminated with chemicals or too coarse for your cat. We occasionally see this grass getting stuck in the throat when a cat vomits after eating outdoor grass.

If cats don’t have access to grass, they often start chewing on other plants. This isn’t always safe for your cat either — for example, read our blog: ‘Which plants are toxic to your cat’.

Don’t confuse cat grass with catnip. Catnip is a herb that produces a pleasant sensation in many cats. It is often incorporated into toys.

Cats eat grass to get rid of parasites.

Research has shown that cats, like dogs, may also eat grass to get rid of worms. It stimulates muscle activity in the intestines and may help expel worms or other gastrointestinal parasites. This behaviour is inherited from wild cats. Today’s house cats are far less exposed to intestinal parasites than their wild ancestors, but the behaviour still remains.

Is eating grass dangerous for my cat?

Cat grass that has been specially developed for this purpose is not dangerous. It’s a soft type of grass and rarely causes problems. However, if your cat eats outdoor grass or other plant parts, it can be dangerous.

It can damage the mucous membranes due to sharp tips or barbs. It can also end up in the nose or throat, with all the consequences that may follow.