Is Cat Grass Good For Felines?
July 13, 2020
Though it may come as no surprise to some pet owners, cats love to chew on grass and other plants. The only trouble is, which plants are safe to eat and which ones are toxic?
Just like dogs, cats don’t need grass in their diet but some like to munch on it for its refreshing taste and to relieve digestive troubles. Just beware if you see your cat eating grass, because chances are it’ll be coming back up very soon.
Unfortunately though, many cats take a fancy to your indoor house plants and some of these can be toxic. Here is a partial list of some common indoor and outdoor plants to avoid if you live with a cat:
- Amaryllis
- Lilies
- Ferns
- Ivy
- Begonia
- Carnations
- Cyclamen
- Dieffenbachia
- Daffodils
- Coleus
- Rubber plant
- Spotted Dracaena
- Hyacinth
- Gladiola
- Hosta
- Jade plant
- Chrysanthemum
- Philodendron
- Mistletoe
- Poinsettia
- Primrose
- Tulips
- Yucca plant
- Aloe vera
With such a long list, it almost feels like you should only grow cat-friendly plants like cat grass and catnip. Unfortunately, the catnip plant is toxic to cats if too much is eaten. Cats can't resist the stuff, so better to keep it out of your house and garden.
Cat grass, also known as oat grass, is safe to eat and can help to freshen Kitty’s breath at the same time. It’s easy to grow and also readily available from any major pet store. It can add valuable fibre to your cat’s diet, as well as some Vitamin A and D. However, keep an eye on them, as eating the whole plant will cause stomach upset and possible diarrhea.
Though most cats will definitely choose meat over vegetables any day, some may enjoy the occasional sprig of rosemary, basil, thyme, cilantro, lavender, and sage.
But don’t despair on the gardening front. There are lots of cat-friendly plants out there you can enjoy without worrying about Felix treating himself to a floral buffet. Here are a few suggestions:
- Impatiens
- Orchids
- Spider plants
- Christmas cactus
- Sunflowers
- Zinnia
- Roses
- Snap dragons
- African violet
Deciding on which plants to put in your home and garden requires some careful thought, especially when it comes to keeping cats, dogs, and children safe.