Cat Grass vs. Catnip: What’s the Difference?

1 Cat Grass vs. Catnip: What’s the Difference?

Cat grass vs. catnip

Cat grass is widely used to induce vomiting – to bring up hairballs – but is also rich in folic acid and other vitamins, good for cats. Catnip is different: smelling it eases stress and nervous tension, while eating it makes the cat very excited.

Why do cats eat grass

Both house and wild cats chew plants – an instinct. Carlo Siracusa, a vet behaviorist at Penn’s vet school, says:

‘Research has not shown why cats eat grass, but we have some ideas.’ ‘In the wild, cats eat grass after a kill.’

‘In many cases grass makes the cat vomit. We think this is nature’s way to help expel indigestible parts of prey. Grass is also fiber that helps pass hairballs or acts as a laxative.’

Another theory: cats may eat grass for trace minerals and vitamins A and D. Grass also has chlorophyll, which before antibiotics eased pain, infection, ulcers, skin disease, and anemia.

Grass also has folic acid, which helps make hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in blood for circulation. It also cleans the breath via chlorophyll.

What is cat grass

Do not confuse it with catnip (a mint). Cat grass is grown from rye, barley, oat, or wheat seed. To tell them apart, we call cat grass ‘cat wheatgrass’ below.

Cat wheatgrass is easy to buy, in pet stores or online, as seeds and kits.

Plant simply and it grows fast for the cat to eat. Growing it at home stops the cat targeting other (unsafe) houseplants.

Is cat wheatgrass safe

Cat wheatgrass is very safe. It does not excite the cat but is the most natural, effective hairball food, stimulating gut movement.

Wild cats instinctively seek it when lacking folic acid.

Especially during shedding season, keep fresh cat grass at home.

How to grow cat wheatgrass

Before sprouting keep seeds moist but never soak. Once sprouted, use less water. Wait 3-7 days to sprout; grass is ready in 10-14 days at about 10 cm.

Keep in natural light and mist daily for 1-2 weeks; replant when it wilts or discolors.

What is catnip

Catnip is in the mint family; crush a fresh leaf to smell it. That smell is what intoxicates cats, so catnip toys are popular.

The reaction comes from nepetalactone, irresistible to cats. It eases stress and nervous tension. Smelling or eating catnip makes cats happy and excited – rolling, drooling, meowing, rubbing against it.

Catnip’s strong scent also aids digestion and relieves gas, helping pass hairballs.

Is catnip safe

Catnip is a mild feline hallucinogen, but don’t worry – it does not harm cats. Effects last only minutes, so no addiction. Long heavy use may lower sensitivity (tolerance). Once a week is enough.

But catnip attracts cats far more than wheatgrass, so a cat may eat too much at once and upset its stomach. Also avoid catnip for cats with special disease (e.g., epilepsy) or pregnancy.

Why doesn’t my cat react to catnip

Reaction to nepetalactone is genetic; about 1/3 of cats react little. Also very young kittens react weakly as they are not mature.

Most cats need to be at least six months old to react.