Cat nutrition: why you should offer your cat grass
30.6.2017
Translation: machine translated
Greens for the little carnivore? Even if you don't immediately see the connection at first glance, cat grass is a good addition to the usual diet, especially for indoor cats. On the one hand, it stimulates digestion. On the other hand, it makes it easier for cats to get rid of the hair they ingest when grooming.
Development and shedding of hairballs
Cats are clean animals. They have a very rough tongue. This is because there are small barbs on the surface of the tongue. These barbs, also known as papillae, ultimately ensure that a pussy eats a lot of hair when it cleans its fur. The movement of the cat's stomach then creates a real ball of fur in the stomach. As the indigestible hairball gets bigger and bigger over time and therefore becomes very unpleasant for your pet, it tries to regurgitate this hairball. Cat grass helps to make the hairballs easier to excrete or vomit in order to get rid of them. Outdoor cats like to nibble on blades of grass in the garden to make it easier to regurgitate the resulting hairballs.
Planting cat grass yourself
If you want to give your cat's digestion a boost, you can buy ready-made cat grass or grow it yourself. Sow the seeds in a pot or tray of untreated garden soil and keep them moist. A warm, bright place is best for cat grass. Direct sunlight should be avoided. For example, the cat grass should feel at home on a windowsill above a radiator.
This is why cat grass is particularly suitable
It is thought that grass contains certain nutrients that your cat can make good use of. Indoor cats do not have the opportunity to help themselves to grass in the garden. It can therefore be useful for them to eat cat grass. This reduces the risk of your pet accidentally nibbling on potentially poisonous houseplants.
What else helps your cat's digestion
If your cat can't tolerate grass, there are other ways to support their digestion and prevent excessive hairball formation. You should brush and comb your cat, especially during the shedding period. Long-haired cats even need regular help with grooming all year round. Malt paste is also suitable as a food supplement as it improves digestion. Various treats also promote the elimination of hairballs. If in doubt, however, you should always speak to your vet before adding food supplements to your cat's bowl.
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Header image: Cat grass helps the chicks to digest.
Tanja Lehmann
Senior Category Business Manager
tanja.lehmann@digitecgalaxus.chFriends, family, cats and good wine are my lifeblood.