Why and why do cats eat grass?

Surely every pet owner is aware of special grass for cats. Many owners even purchase it in specialized stores, while others plant their own grass at home. Why do cats need grass?

You should buy grass for cats for the following reasons:

• grass is a source of vitamins for cats;
• plants contribute to the removal of cat's fur;
• the presence in the house of special herbs allows you to save indoor plants.

Scientists have not yet received an answer to the question of why cats love to eat grass so much.

Grass to cleanse the stomach

Cats eat grass specifically to induce vomiting. During this process, along with the grass, the remnants of food that did not have time to digest, as well as everythingthat the cat was swallowed by chance and could provoke gastric obstruction. Through this method, cats clean their stomach.

There is a theory that cats, being predatory animals, eat caught birds and mice with wool, bones and feathers. Which, in turn, practically can not be digested in the stomach. However, it is necessary to take into account the fact that domestic cats eat ready-made feed or home-made food. Such nutrition contributes to good digestion and full absorption of food eaten by the cat.

Grass to get rid of hairballs

However, not every cat eats vomiting after eating grass. Therefore, this method of cleansing the stomach from hairballs is not suitable for all cats.

Grass for Vitamins

According to the observations of scientists, cats are able for a long time to sit on the lawn and bite off blades of grass.Often, animals, biting grass, just chew it, and then immediately spit it out. So, scientists have concluded that cats act in a similar way to obtain the necessary vitamins. In particular - folic acid, the content of which is so rich in green grass.

Anyway, this theory finds a refutation, the reasons for which is that not all cats eat grass, some pets are absolutely indifferent to it.

What if the cat likes to eat grass?

In cases where a cat is prone to eating grass, you should give it that opportunity and satisfy its need. Moreover, given the availability of grass, make it absolutely no difficulty. Various herbs can be used for eating cats: germinated sprouts of barley, oats, wheat, as well as special weed, which can be purchased at any pet store.

Since cats are distinguished by their fastidiousness, you should first give your pet a choice in order to find out which grass is preferable for him. Some cats do not eat all types of plants.

How to grow grass for cats at home

Method 1
For cat owners who have chosen to grow grass for their pet, the best way is to buy vermiculite. This natural mineral is sold in any flower shop. Vermiculite is able to absorb the amount of moisture, up to 5 times its own weight. The use of such a substrate will avoid the problem of permanent irrigation of the soil and prevent it from souring.

Soil fertilized with vermiculite, will ensure the growth of grass for 3 weeks. At the same time, the grass will grow gradually, as it is eaten by the cat.

Upon completion of the procedures with the ground, it is necessary to make the soaking of grain, the most common is oats. Which, by the way, must be soaked in cold water along with prepared vermiculite. After 1 hour, drain the water and pour all the contents into a wide container. Capacity should be filled to no more than half to avoid soil spillage. Cutting holes in the tank is not necessary.

Next you need to make a greenhouse.To do this, the filled container should be wrapped with cellophane film and placed in a warm place. The first shoots will begin to appear within 2-3 days after that. The advantage of planting in this way is in the durability of the grass, which will grow gradually, which will allow the cat to eat growing grass for a long time. This effect is achieved due to the location of oat grains at different distances relative to the soil, in connection with which they sprout at different times, and not together.

About a week after planting the grass will grow, and can be offered to the cat. In order to maintain such a lawn, it is necessary to fill the tank with water every 5 days, after which, 10 minutes later, the remaining, excess water should be drained. This method of sprouting grass is not suitable for every cat, because some pets dig out the soil that is used in such cultivation, and scatter it around the shelter. In this case, you should stop the choice on the following method.

Method 2
Growing grass with this method is carried out in a plastic plate, in which it is necessary to make holes using an awl.As in the first method, you should soak the grain, then put it in a prepared plate, cover with gauze on top and place the container in a warm place.

After 2-3 days, when the roots appear, the grain should be poured into a plate, previously covered with several layers of gauze. Next, put the grain to pour water. Drain residual water. The plate is covered with cellophane and placed in a warm place. The first shoots will appear in 4 days, and after 7 days the grass will be ready for consumption by the cat. This method is less practical than the first. Since weed grown in this way requires more care and retains its properties for only 7 days, after which it dies.

Some owners grow grass for cats in the usual soil brought from the street, or tear grass that grows in the courtyards. It should be understood that such weed is a danger to the pet, because there is a risk of infection with worms and other diseases, including "Distemper."

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