Any time I take my cat to visit our backyard, she makes a beeline for the lawn and starts eating grass. Inside our home, my cat tries to chew on every plant she can reach. This can be a dangerous habit as many common houseplants are toxic to cats. Knowing that my cat is a naughty little plant-eater, I make sure to only buy cat-safe plants for my home. You can read the ASPCA’s “Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List for Cats” here.
Why not plant some cat-friendly greens as a safe and healthy alternative for your cat? Cat grass is easy to care for, it grows very quickly and it’s an inexpensive source of entertainment for your cat.
Supplies You Will Need:
- Potting Soil
- Small Pot or Planter
- “Cat Grass” seeds (usually a mix of oat, rye, barley, and/ or wheat grasses)
- Spray Bottle filled with Water
Fill your pot 3/4 of the way with potting soil. Sprinkle an even layer of “Cat Grass” seeds on top of the soil and then mist the seeds with water. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of potting soil and then mist the soil with water. It should be moist but not soggy.
Place the pot somewhere it will get full sun, either in a bright window or outside where it will be protected from the rain. Avoid overwatering, if the soil is kept too wet then the roots will rot.
Sprouts should appear in just a few days. Offer the grass to your cat when it’s about 3 or 4 inches tall. When the grass wilts after a few weeks, pull out the shoots and plant more seeds. For a steady supply, plant a few pots about one or two weeks apart.
Please keep an eye on your cat and limit access to the plant if you need to. Normally, cats only consume a small amount of grass and you shouldn’t be worried if your cat occasionally regurgitates.
Cat grass is a great treat for your cat and an even better excuse to have another plant in your house!