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Understanding Cat Grass: What Is It?

Cat grass is a term used for various types of grass that are safe for cats to eat. Cats are naturally drawn to grass because it aids in digestion through supporting intestinal tract motility, and provides essential nutrients that may be missing from or to complement their diet. The most common types of cat grass come from cereal grains, such as wheat and barley, but other types of seeds can also be used.

Types of Cat Grass Seeds

Spelt Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum – Spelta)

Difficulty to Grow: Moderate
Pros:

• Rapid growth once started
• Rich in nutrients, like Beta Carotenes and Thiamine
• High in fibre and water to aid healthy intestinal tract motility
• Hardier than common wheatgrass like “winter berry wheat”
• High in Beta Carotenes associated which cats convert to retinols to assist in the healthy removal of free radicals as waste
• Cats love its dark green lush blades

Cons:

• Can be a slow germinator especially in winter
• Can grow mould if overwatered (see our growing guide for preventative information)
• My Cat Grass is the only UK source of Organic certified Spelt Wheat seed for cat grass

Overview: Spelt Wheatgrass is our customers most popular choice for cat grass. It grows quickly once established and is packed with essential nutrients that are beneficial for your cat’s health. It’s moderately easy to grow and easy to care for indoors, making it a convenient option for cat owners. Spelt Wheatgrass is a more ancient grain that offers a slightly different nutrient profile than regular wheatgrass. It’s hardier, more resistant to mould and contains more fiber, which can be beneficial for digestion

Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

Difficulty to Grow: Easy
Pros:

• Tolerates colder temperatures
• Grows quickly

Cons:

• We do not recommend or sell Rye grass for cats as its then stems can cause damage to the intestinal tract and oesophagus. If left to go to seed, the seeds can become lodged in the roof of the cats’ mouth or nasal cavity resulting in expensive and painful vet visits to have the seeds removed.
• Not as nutrient-rich as wheatgrass
• Requires frequent watering

Overview: If you are growing Rye grass for your cats we cannot stress enough the importance of switching to a safe source of cat grass for your cats.

Oat Grass (Avena sativa)

Difficulty to Grow: Easy
Pros:

• Waxy blades attractive to cats with a sensitive palette
• Rich in vitamins and minerals
• Grows quickly

Cons:

• Requires more space to grow – sow further apart meaning less leaves
• Needs regular watering
• Lasts approximately 4-5 days less than cat grass grown from Spelt Wheat seeds

Overview: Oat grass is known for its sweet taste, however cats do not possess the biomechanics to “taste” sweet things. It is probably more attractive to cats who find other types of grass too fibrous or who have a sensitive palette. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals, and it grows quickly, although it does require a bit more space than some other grasses.

Barley Grass (Hordeum vulgare)

Difficulty to Grow: Easy
Pros:

• Cats enjoy its medium fibre content
• Easy to germinate grow and care for
• Rich in nutrients, like Beta Carotenes and Thiamine
• A good alternative to Spelt Wheat Grass due to its less fibrous leaves

Cons:

• Moderate growth; grows faster than spelt wheat and slower than cat grass grown from Oat Seed
• Can be more prone to pests but is easily controllable when growing indoors

Overview: Barley grass is another nutrient-rich option that is particularly high in antioxidants, which can help support your cat’s overall health. It grows a bit more slowly than oat but faster than Spelt Wheat. A good all round medium cat grass.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Difficulty to Grow: Easy
Pros:

• Highest levels of Beta Carotenes of all the cat grasses
• High in vitamins K and C
• Aids in digestion
• Very easy to grow in various conditions

Cons:

• May cause bloating if consumed in very excessive quantities – use only small amounts daily – a pinch sprinkled on food
• Not as palatable as other grasses
• One batch lasts 7 – 14 days so you will need to grow a fresh crop every 14 days for a fresh nutritious supply of cat grass.

Overview: Alfalfa is a nutrient-dense plant that offers a wide range of health benefits, including improved digestion. However, it’s not as tasty as some other options, so some cats may be less inclined to eat it. Great for cats with CKD and PKD due to its high Beta Carotene content. Grows like cress which can be harvested like cress and sprinkled in small amounts on your cats food once a day.

Mixed Seed Grasses

Overview: Mixed seed cat grass are not legal in the UK. As a seed processor (anyone selling cat grass seed in the UK must be a DEFRA licensed seed processor – without exception). DEFRA and trading standards declare the weights and variety name of each seed must be declared on the packaging of each pouch of cat grass seed. Mixed variety seed pouches would have to contain so much labelling that it would be near impossible to meet the legal obligations required by DEFRA and trading standards.

If your cat grass provider is selling seed for the purpose of cat grass including “Kitty Gardens” and “Greens” in this way, we recommend you change supplier to one that is a registered seed processor (required even if you’re a small “Mom and Pop” operator) that meets the UK’s legal requirements.

Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata)

Difficulty to Grow: Moderate
Pros:

• Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions
• Resistant to drought
• Provides fiber and roughage

Cons:

• Coarser texture may be less appealing to cats
• Slower growth compared to cereal grasses

Overview: Cocksfoot got its name from the Hertfordshire based agriculturalist of the late 1900’s. Cocksfoot is a tougher, more resilient grass that can grow in various soil conditions and as such was developed for fodder for ruminates (think cows etc) that was low cost, would expand quickly, grow in situ and spread. This afforded farmers a more cost-effective roughage for their livestock. It is nutrient poor and has small hooks (otherwise known as spines) on the stems which are very dangerous for cats.

Cocksfoot was colloquially known as cat grass when initially discovered as cats could often be seen congregating around it. It was never recorded if the cats were ever seen eating it? It’s far from the safe and more appealing cereal grains used today as cat grass. The dangerous spines, less tender shoots and roughage would cause modern cat owners to wonder why it was ever called cat grass.

Lawn Seed

Difficulty to Grow: Easy

Cons:

• Not suitable or safe for cats
• May contain chemicals or fertilizers harmful to cats
• Contains slugs which from part of the Heartworm lifecycle
• Less nutrient-dense than other options
• Often treated with fertilizers and pesticides extremely dangerous to cats
• If left to go to seed, the seeds can become lodged in the roof of the cats mouth or nasal cavity resulting in expensive and painful vet visits to have the seeds removed.

Overview: If you have a lawn we recommend switching to growing a safe source of cat grass indoors for your cats. We would never recommend using lawn seed for cat grass.

Summary

Difficulty to Grow: What to Consider

When choosing the best cat grass for your home, consider how easy it is to grow. Some grasses, like barley and oat grass, are quick to germinate and require minimal effort. Others, like spelt wheat may take more time and care. If you’re new to growing cat grass, starting with Spelk Wheatgrass, Oat or Barley grass might be the best choice. Rye, Lawn and Mixed seed grasses should be avoided at all costs.

Pros and Cons: Weighing Your Options

Each type of cat grass has its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Here’s a quick recap:

• Wheatgrass: Nutrient-rich, easy to grow, but prone to mold.
• Spelt Wheatgrass: High in fiber, slower growth, more mould resistant.
• Ryegrass: We recommend you find another option
• Oat Grass: Waxy leaves for sensitive Palettes, Rich in nutrients, requires more space.
• Barley Grass: High in antioxidants, moderate growing time, control pests by growing indoors.
• Alfalfa: Nutrient-dense, easy to grow, feed in small amounts daily sprinkled over food.
• Mixed Seed Grasses: Almost impossible to meet UK legal packaging requirements
• Cocksfoot: Historical reference only – no longer considered a safe source of cat grass for cats
• Lawn Seed: Avoid where possible due to use of included fertilizers and pesticides.

Conclusion: Which Cat Grass Is the Best?

The best cat grass for your feline friend ultimately depends on your cat’s preferences and your growing conditions. Spelt Wheatgrass, Barley and Oat grass are excellent starting points due to their ease of growth and high nutrient content. If you’re looking for something different, consider Alfalfa cat grass for its antioxidant properties. Just be sure to avoid Mixed seed and lawn seeds pouches, and you’ll be well on your way to providing your cat with a safe and satisfying green snack.

Happy Cat Grass Growing, and here’s to your cat’s health!