Why Does My Cat Eat Grass?

Many people keep domesticated cats as household companions. Some have strict indoor felines, while others let their cats outside. At some point while your feline is visiting the great outdoors, you may have noticed him chewing on blades of grass. This is not a cause for alarm. On the contrary, cats often chew on grass as a way to assist their bodies in digestion, hairballs and stomach pains. Do not stop your cat the next time you find him munching on greens.

  1. Vomiting

    • When cats ingest raw grass, they often vomit afterward. Although this may seem like a bad thing, vomiting actually acts as a laxative, aiding in bowel movements and regurgitation. Often, outdoor cats eat small animals like birds and rodents. Because cats cannot separate the meat from the indigestible bones and fur, they eat grass to help regurgitate these harmful elements before they pass through the body, according to Cat Journal.

    Elimination

    • According to Native Remedies, grass aids cats in the elimination of feces. Cats can develop weak digestive systems due to malnutrition, not enough exercise or a diet that consists mainly of plain cat food. Weak digestion causes blockage in the bowels, leading to severe discomfort and constipation. Cats nibble on grass, a natural laxative, to help feces move through the bowels and into the litter pan.

    Furballs

    • Cats groom themselves often. When performing this necessary cleaning, cats lick themselves with tongues that have a rough, comb-like texture. These rough tongues pick up dirt and dead hair, keeping their coats shiny and clean. However, the large amounts of loose fur build up in the stomach. These matted chunks of fur are called "fur balls." Although cats typically regurgitate or pass fur balls, excess build up requires an outside source--grass. Grass-eating stimulates both elimination and regurgitation, helping cats to rid their bodies of fur ball buildup.

    Nutrients

    • Cats often go in search of greenery to fulfill their nutritional needs. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), before cats became domesticated they received vegetable nutrition from the digestive tracts of prey. Since cats cannot digest raw grass, this pre-digested greenery supplied cats with necessary nutrients not found in meat alone. Because grass also acts as a laxative and promotes vomiting, give indoor cats catnip grass--found in pet stores--to avoid a messy cleanup.

    Taste

    • Some cats simply enjoy the taste of grass, according to Native Remedies. Since cat food is primarily meat-based, cats often like to chew on greens because it tastes different than what they are accustomed to. New smells and tastes are appealing to cats, especially if they are domesticated. Domesticated cats do not get the chance to explore the outdoors and experience the plethora of new smells and tastes. The ASPCA recommends giving your indoor cat treats of alfalfa, parsley, cucumber, spinach or catnip grass.