We’ve all seen cats nibbling on grass but have you ever wondered why they do it? There is vital nutrition for cats in grass and it can play a crucial role in a cat’s digestion. It can even help cats to get rid of fur balls! Indoor cats grass is a lot safer and healthier than the outdoors variety. It is often supplied in kits that have everything you need.
There are several varieties and kits available so to help you choose the best cat grass to suit your particular cats and your home, take a look at our useful guide.
The Best Grass for Cats
Our pick of the best cat grass is a planter cleverly designed with a grid and drainage holes. The bowl is deep so that it holds just the right amount of soil and thanks to the drainage you will not be able to over water it and risk root rot. Vermiculite is used instead of potting soil but the grass seed is sold separately.
The grass kit is supplied packaged in an attractive box with a lovely design and would make a unique gift for a cat lover. It’s easy to put together, take apart and clean using water and a gentle detergent. As it is only 14.6 inches in diameter, it will not take up too much room. The shallow design makes it very stable and hard for cats to knock over but if that happens, the grid will keep the grass and vermiculite in place.
Shallow and stable container
Easy to take apart and put together
Growing medium is vermiculite
Doesn’t make a mess
- Brand: Catit
- Model: 43161W
- Weight: 13.6 ounces
A high-germinating pack of seeds that are completely free from chemicals and provide healthy cats grass for your kitty. The seeds germinate quickly and successfully into healthy wheat grass which is tasty and beneficial for cats.
This particular strain of grass seeds is for hard red wheat grass which contain a range of minerals and lipids and are rich in protein. As well being excellent for your cat’s health, you can use it yourself to make baked rolls and cookies.
Cats grass packet of seeds
Tasty and beneficial for cats
Germinates successfully
Can be used in your own baking
- Brand: Todd’s Seeds
- Weight: 1 pounds
There’s everything you need to successfully grow organic wheatgrass for your cats in this kit. It can be used by complete beginners who do not have green fingers! The kit includes three growing trays which measure 4 inches by 4 inches and have drain holes so the roots cannot become water-logged even if you over water. There are three discs of compressed organic soil and three packs of organic cat grass seeds.
All you have to do is add water and the soil discs will expand to fill the containers. Because wheatgrass grows fast, you will have a healthy cats grass crop in as little as five days.
Complete cat grass kit with everything you need
Three containers and soil
Three packs of seeds
Drainage holes to protect roots
- Brand: Handy Pantry
- Model: FBA_PGK-MINI-3
- Weight: 8.2 ounces
Perfect for cat owners that want to grow cats grass and have some fun at the same time! This cute little cats grass kit gives you everything you need to create an attractive plant for your home in a cute planter decorated with a picture of a cat’s face. As well as the planter, you get a bag of organic soil and a bag of seeds which is a blend of wheat, rye, oats and barley. All of the grass seeds are organic to protect the health of your cat.
Even if you have no gardening experience, you can’t go wrong with this kit. The grasses will germinate quickly and will reach full height in five to seven days after you have added water. This makes a perfect gift for all the cat lovers in your life and will make them smile.
Complete cat grass kit
Cute cat planter
Organic soil
Fast growing seeds
- Brand: The Cat Ladies
- Weight: 12.3 ounces
If you are a bit apprehensive about growing cat grass, this kit comes with everything you need and is like a mini greenhouse. It makes a great gift or you can get one for your own cat so that they can enjoy the benefits of indoor grass.
It includes a tiny greenhouse that will fit on a window ledge. There is a waterproof base to protect the surface underneath and a transparent top. Thanks to the ventilation hole, the grasses can get plenty of air. The growing medium is a coco peat pellet with added premium grow mix and all you have to do is add water to activate it. Of course, there is also a packet of grass seed for organic, non-GMO plants. In just five days, you will be growing cat grass and will have your first crop ready for your cat!
Complete kit with mini greenhouse
Transparent lid
Coco peat pellet growing medium
Organic and non-GMO grass seeds
- Brand: TotalGreen Holland
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
For cat owners that already have their own containers and potting soil, or who have experience of growing cat grass, all that is needed is a pack of high quality seeds and that is exactly what this product is. The seeds are totally organic and are grown and harvested right here in the US.
The pack contains a blend of seeds that has been carefully designed to give your cat the maximum nutritional vale. Before you know it, you’ll have a crop of oat grass as well as barley, rye, flax and wheat. Within just five to seven days, you’ll have a good crop that cats love and that’s completely free from pesticides.
Mixed seed pack
Includes oat grass, rye and wheat
Totally organic
Grows in five to seven days
- Brand: The Cat Ladies
- Weight: 8 ounces
This oat garden kit will give you a lovely crop of oat grass in just a couple of days. You get a container that is already filled with peat moss so your growing substrate is ready to go. Then all you need is some water and you leave the container at room temperature. Nature does the rest.
You will have to keep providing water to make sure that the germinating plants can grow. This packet produces organic oat grass which cats love and which keeps them healthy.
Everything you need to grow cat grass
Produces organic oat grass
Peat moss growing substrate provided
Only water is needed
- Brand: Van Ness
- Model: GK1
- Weight: 1.6 ounces
Bring the power of plants to any window ledge in your house with this pop up cat grass system. Grass growing has never been so easy! It’s very compact and produces no waste. The cat grasses grow in a pop up bag that you fill with the provided fiber soil. This provides the ideal growing substrate for cat grass plants. Each one quart bag will grow enough cat grass for one or two cats.
All you have to do is add the organic wheatgrass seeds and water. The cat grass needs to be kept on a window ledge so that it can get plenty of light. The cat grasses are ready in just five to ten days and when they run out, there are three more pop up bags in the kit ready to go.
Cat grass pop up kits
Suitable for window ledges indoors
Rapid growth
Healthy wheatgrass
- Brand: Window Garden
- Weight: 10.4 ounces
This kit for growing plants for indoor cats is presented so nicely in stylish box that it would make a lovely gift for the kitty lover in your life. It would make a lovely project for an animal lover, an elderly relative or for a young family. Within the kit, you’ll get cat grass seeds (organic wheatgrass) as well as fiber soil which one of the best growing substrates for cat grass. The kraft cups that hold the plants are completely biodegradable so this kit is also kind on the environment and cuts down your use of plastic.
There are some lovely finishing touches in this kit which make it especially appealing such as chalkboard labels and chalk. Of course there are full instructions to start you off with tips on how to get the most out of your kit. In just a week or so, you’ll have a full crop of wheatgrass for cats. All you need to add is water!
Stylish gift box
Includes organic wheatgrass seeds
Fiber soil growing substrate
Biodegradable kraft cups
- Brand: Microgreen Pros
- Weight: 4 ounces
You can set up your own micro-garden inside in just a few minutes and add healthy greens to your own diet as well as to your cat’s diet. There is nothing unsightly about this kit, it comes with a stunning acrylic tray that looks fabulous on your window ledge or as a center piece to your table.
In the kit, you also get a spray bottle and fiber soil and 1.75 ounces of wheat grass seed to give you one full crop. The wheatgrass is hard red wheat grass which is highly nutritious. There are huge health benefits for you and your kitty. To keep it going, you simply have to buy the refill packs.
Can be set up in just a few minutes
Healthy greens for cats
Fiber soil substrate
Spray bottle
- Brand: Window Garden
- Weight: 1.6 pounds
Best Grass for Cats Buying Guide & FAQ
What to Look for in a Cat Grass
There are a few features that you can look out for when you are buying cat grass to make your life easier and to ensure that you are successful in your indoor gardening. Here are the main ones.
- Type of container
There is a wide choice of container! The standard containers look just like plant pots but others look like a bowl. Shallow bowls are less likely to be tipped over. The environmentally friendly option would be some biodegradable pots which are better for the environment than plastics. If you really want to make a style statement, you can choose a cute planter with a picture of a cat on it!
- Drainage holes
It can be hard to know how much to water the growing plants. If you buy a kit that has drainage holes in the container, you will not be able to water-log the roots. This will prevent mold from forming and will prevent the roots from rotting away.
- Growing substrate
To make sure that the plants that you grow are totally safe and to give the seeds the best possible start, most kits supply a growing substrate. This arrives in a dehydrated form and you add water to re- hydrate it. Often, they are peat-based substrates that are nutrient rich.
- Seeds
There are several different types of seed that can used to grow cat grass. You can choose the one that gives the particular nutrition that you are looking for or you can choose a mixture.
- Added extras
Some kits come with cute labels and are delivered in very stylish boxes. This is an important feature if you are giving the kit as a gift. Others come with a spray bottle which is also very handy.
Health Benefits of Cat Grass
Cats naturally eat grass because it is a useful part of their nutrition. The juices in grass contain folic acid which is essential for the formation of red blood cells. Wheat grass is an excellent source of this micro-nutrient. Some experts even believe that it can relieve a cat’s sore throat!
Cat grass that you plant and grow indoors is much better for your cat than outdoor grass. You can be sure of the nutritional profile. You know that there are no worms, larvae or bacteria on it that could cause health issues. You can also be sure that there are no pesticides or other harsh chemicals that could harm your furry friend.
What Type of Grass is Best for Cats?
If you have a specific query about the nutritional qualities of grasses and which would be best for your particular kitty, you should consult your vet. However, on the whole, cat grasses can be from a variety of sources. Always check on the label that the seeds are specifically suitable as cat grass.
Some popular choices are alfafa because it helps with kidney issues and oat because it is good at calming the intestinal tract. It is also high in protein and fiber. Wheat grass is another option as it contains plenty of folic acid. You will also see barley and rye advertised as cat grass and you may like to grow a mixed variety to get the benefits of all of them at the same time.
How to Grow Grass for Cats
You do not need any specialist knowledge or skills to grow cat grass. If you are a beginner, you may want to get a kit that has everything that you need and instructions.
The basic equipment that you need are:
- A container to keep the plants in
- Some sort of growing substrate – soil or peat
- Cat grass seeds
All you have to do is put the substrate in the container, add water and add the seeds. In a day or so, you will notice that they start to sprout (germinate). At this stage, keep them damp but not too wet. Around day 10-14 it will be ready for your cat to eat and will last for up to three weeks. Over this time, keep it in a place where it will get plenty of light and keep watering it, preferably with a spray. Do not over water because this will rot the roots and cause mold. When the plants start to wilt (bend over) or turn yellow, it is time to replace them.
Best Grass for Cats FAQ:
Q: What is cat grass?
A: It is common for cat grass to be confused with catnip but they are not the same thing at all! It is a plant that you grow inside and that you encourage your kitty to nibble. It is usually oat, wheat, rye or barley and it is very good for your cat’s health. You’ll find it easy to grow, it germinates quickly and can be constantly replaced.
If you have never grown anything before and do not know where to buy cat grass, you can get complete kits that contain everything that you need. There will even be full instructions that will tell you exactly what to do.
Q: Why do cats eat grass?
A: It can be puzzling to see a cat eating grass! After all, they are supposed to be committed meat eaters so it is hard to see what appeals to them in a blade of grass. In fact, there are a number of biological reasons for this strange habit.
The first reason is a little unpleasant but will not come as a surprise if you are a cat owner. Cats eat grass to make themselves vomit! They need to vomit because they need to get rid of some parts of their food that they cannot break down in the gut. Even in the wild, if they have eaten a whole bird, they will not be able to digest the bones and feathers. Regurgitation is nature’s way of getting rid of indigestible matter before it goes any further into the intestines. Cat grass is an insoluable fiber and so it also a good way to get rid of hairballs which can causes blockages in the digestive tract.
Q: How long does cat grass last?
A: Cat grass will last for as long as the life cycle of the particular plant. For most grasses, this is between one and three weeks.
You will be able to spot when the grass is starting to die off. It will stop growing. The leaves will become limp and it will start to wilt – the leaves will lean over. The color will also change. Instead of being a vibrant green, they will change to be a dull yellow.
Q: Does my indoor cat need grass?
A: Indoor cats do not have free access to grass in the way that outdoors cats do and so it is even more important that you provide grass for them. If you don’t do this, they may decide to start nibbling houseplants and many of these will be poisonous to a feline.
Q: How often should I water grass for cats?
A: Obviously, all plants need plenty of water but it important to remember that you can over water cat grass. This will wash out vital nutrients from the growing substrate and shorten the lifespan of the plant. It can also lead to mold on the surface and the roots can rot.
Your container may have drainage holes to make sure that you cannot over water. If you have a very hot and dry atmosphere in your home, you will need to water the plant every day. If your home is cooler and the atmosphere is moist, every few days will be sufficient. It is better to water little and often than to let the plant get dry and then give it a lot of water.
Our Top Pick
Our pick of the best cat grass is a cleverly designed pot with a grid and drainage holes and has vermiculite instead of soil. The grass kit is supplied packaged in an attractive box and would make a unique gift for a cat lover.
It’s easy to put together without needing expert knowledge and is only 14.6 inches in diameter so it will not take up too much room. The shallow design makes it very stable and hard to knock over.
Sources:
- Dr. Lori Teller, Eating Your Greens The Basics Of Cat Grass, Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
- What is cat grass?, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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