If it were up to your cat, an alternative to the beloved cat grass would not be worth mentioning. However, experts are not entirely unanimous as to whether the plant is really as useful for animal health as is often assumed. On this page you will learn why cat grass is important for your pet's diet on the one hand and what the risks are on the other. The article also shows you sensible alternatives.
Cats also nibble on other straws, such as sprouted oats or wheat
Pros and cons of cat grass
benefits
- Helps regurgitate furballs
- Provides important nutrients such as folic acid
- Protects your cat from anemia
- Useful option for indoor cats
- Easy to care for and inexpensive because you can grow it yourself
- Your cat will not attack other (poisonous) indoor plants
- Also serves as a sunbathing area in a large bowl
- Absorbs pollutants from the air, which your cat eats with it, so to speak
disadvantage
- Becomes sharp-edged after a few weeks
- In this condition, it can cause fatal injuries to the digestive organs
- Excessive consumption can irritate the gastric mucosa
- Is very fast growing
- Some commercially available grasses are sprayed
alternatives
- The creeping pretty cushion
- Pastes as a dietary supplement
The creeping pretty cushion
This plant is also known by the botanical name Golliwoog. In the trade it is mainly offered as rodent food. The creeping beautiful upholstery does not grow in culms, but is visually in no way inferior to cat grass. The plant forms small, crunchy leaves that your pet will also enjoy gnawing on. The creeping beautiful upholstery is just as undemanding in terms of care. Like conventional cat grass, you can easily cultivate it in a pot and place it on the windowsill.
pastes
There are a number of reasons some cats, especially kittens, may refuse or be unable to handle cat grass:
- Some animals just don't like the stalks.
- Others prefer to play with the long shoots…
- … or choke while chewing.
- Still others just can't get enough and irritate their stomachs from an overdose.
In this case, fortified pies made specifically for nutritional support are a good idea. They therefore provide equally important nutrients and were designed to cater to the taste buds of many cats. Of course, pastes do not add to the beauty of your home. On the other hand, they are easier for the animals to take and do not require any maintenance.