Why do cats eat grass?

[Italiangreyhound]

Why do cats eat grass?

Please?

I always understood it was to assist their innards - either to help them vomit things up (eg hairballs) or to help move things downaways.

Our female cat, sadly had to be pts aged 19 and half years just before Christmas, used to love eating grass, I think just for the taste.

She would call you to follow her into the garden then take you to a particular place where she would eat the grass while purring and looking up at you from time to time as if to encourage you to do the same. She clearly enjoyed it.

She never vomited from eating it.

I know that dogs eat different types of grass, wide grass for the taste, other grass for their insides.

I thought it was to make themselves sick.

I also understood it is to aid their digestive system; apparently it contains folic acid, which they need, helps to break down fur balls which they sometimes have difficulty in regurgitating, and aids in the passing of poos (again, digestion-related).

All of our cats over the years have nibbled on grassy fronds each and every morning.

I wish mine stuck to grass (and in winter she has a go at the peace lily in my bedroom). Last week she ate my cucumber seedlings on the window sill :(

Please be very careful about the peace lily tribpot they are poisonous for cats

Ah, I didn't realise that. I have nowhere to put it which is out of her way, but I'm guessing if it's made her sick once she probably won't go after it again?

Your call, trib, if you're sure it's a Peace Lily - but you do have to be careful with lilies in general. Many of them are potentially death to cats.

\link{http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/lilies/\Cats and lilies}

Sadly one of my pungent patients ate peace lily at Easter and his owners didn't know that it was a problem. He is no longer with us ??.

[http://www.icatcare.org/advice/cat-behaviour/why-do-cats]
Should help!
Keep ALL lilies away from cats. Even a tiny amount of leaves/petals can kill.

at, She would call you to follow her into the garden then take you to a particular place where she would eat the grass while purring and looking up at you from time to time as if to encourage you to do the same.

We have a courtyard garden, so no grass unfortunately for my cat. I know when he has a hankering for it though, because he sniffs at the moss between the flagstones. Being a slave to my cat thoughtful owner, I then go over to the churchyard opposite my house and pick him a bunch, which he then proceeds to eat with relish. This produces much loud purring.

Ooh, meant to agree with everyone else about the lilies. Cats and them do not mix. They are one of the most poisonous plants to cats. The flowers and pollen are even more poisonous than the leaves. If it was me, I would be getting rid.

My cat goes out to eat grass then comes into the house and finds somewhere to puke. It drives me up the wall! The vet says he's healthy - it's a revolting habit though!

One of my cats devoured most of a spider plant I had - just wolfed it down. We do have plenty of grass outside so it can only be that he liked the taste, rather than for medicinal reasons. Cats are weird.

I thought cats eat grass as a digestive aid. My cat eats grass on a regular basis. He also loves lying in the catmint on his back till he's all sleepy and relaxed. I think it has the same effect as catnip which he is addicted to!

Thanks so much, one and all.