Fact: when you live with a cat, you’ll come across some question-raising behaviors – especially when it comes to what they put in their mouths. Which might include your leftovers, the odd plant or two…and grass? Why do cats eat grass? Is it safe – and how do I prevent them from eating grass that’s been sprayed with pesticide or something toxic?

Now while it’s actually a perfectly normal, even instinctive behavior – you do also want to avoid accidentally poisoning your cat. (Especially if they run into poisonous plants or toxic substances!)

So here’s how to figure out why your cat is eating grass – and how to keep tabs on where they’re likely to run into something that might poison them instead. Let’s get started.

Do cats eat grass in the first place?

Yup, it’s official – cats do eat grass. You’ve likely already seen this from your own furball. But now, thanks to a survey from the University of California Davis Veterinary School of Medicine, you can see the bigger picture too:

  • 89% of cats ate grass six or more times throughout their lives
  • 91% of the time, cats appear in good health before eating grass
  • 27% of cats vomit frequently after eating grass or other foliage1
A cat eating grass from a potted plant

This shows that nearly all cats eat grass – and are typically A-OK when doing so.

Why do cats eat grass?

In short, cats eat grass because its comes naturally to them and can support their health – in the same way eating leafy greens helps us humans stay healthy.

A widely-believed (but not 100% accurate) explanation for why cats eat grass is that it helps them vomit if they got sick or poisoned. But that’s not always the case.

  • In fact, cats actually lack the stomach enzymes needed to break down and digest grass. As a result, it sometimes… comes back up. And together with it comes other stuff they can’t digest, like hairballs or inedible parts of prey such as fur or bones. (We know, eww. But it’s good for them!)
  • The fiber found in grass can actually help your cat digest food better and relieve themselves easier. It may also include vitamins and minerals, including folic acid (B9) that they may not be getting from elsewhere.
  • Anxious or stressed cats may find that chomping on grass helps calm their nerves. A bit like chewing gum for felines.

💡In fact, researchers have found that, after eating grass, most cats do not throw it up – or show any signs of illness.2 Meaning, cats can be purrfectly healthy, and still eat grass.

A cat sniffing a blade of grass

Another one of the primary reasons your cat’s eating grass may be rooted in their evolutionary history.3

  • In many ways, your cat’s digestive system, appetite, and instincts haven’t changed much from their wild ancestors’.
  • And in nature, wild cats do tend to eat grass after they’ve eaten prey – which may cause them to vomit out the indigestible parts of the food they’ve just eaten. (Including intestinal parasites.)

⚠ But it’s a different ball game altogether if your cat has been eating grass that’s been sprayed with toxic chemicals like weed killer or pesticides – and throwing up as a result.

In fact, common garden plants like azaleas, lilies, and orchids all count as plants that are poisonous to cats. (And mean hefty vet bills from cats simply coming in contact with them!)

A cat exploring a garden

That’s why we’d always recommend you keep tabs on where your cat’s been nibbling on grass – and whether these areas count as “danger zones” instead. (Like your neighbors’ pesticide-strewn backyards, for example.)

💡It’s why cat parents around the world – just like you – are strapping GPS trackers to their buddies’ collars. Especially if you’ve got an outdoor cat…or just one that’s figured out where they can sneak out of your house or backyard.

Because with just a glance at your phone, your trusty Tractive CAT MINI can help you track your cat:

cat territory as shown in the tractive gps app

All of which can help you figure out if your buddy is likely to come in contact with:

Where even a bite, lick, or taste can land your cat in the emergency vet ward – and a hefty (thoroughly avoidable) bill.

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When you should be concerned about your cat eating grass

Now in general, if your cat takes a nibble or two every so often, there’s really no cause for concern. Just keep in mind that outdoor cats tend to have sizable territories to patrol and defend, which might include multiple neighborhood backyards and even the local park. Which can increase their risk of accidentally ingesting a plant or grass that might be poisonous for them.

So keep an eye out and drop a line to your vet if your cat:

  • Eats grass every day, which could signal digestive trouble. In fact, the more digestive trouble your cat has, the more they might chew on grass to clear out their systems.
  • Vomits blood, which could mean they’ve ingested toxins – possibly in the form of pesticides or other chemicals found outside.

Should this be the case, don’t hesitate and take them to the vet ASAP.

outdoor brown cat eating grass

Tips to keep your grass-eating buddy safe outdoors

Even though your cat eating grass on occasion is generally no cause for concern, there are certain steps you should take to ensure your cat’s safety.

1. Beware extra mindful of pesticides.

If you have a garden (a.k.a. your cat’s mini-empire) make sure it’s a cat-friendly one.

  • Do your best to avoid using insecticides or herbicides.
  • Check for any toxic plants that might be growing there (which we cover in a bit more detail further below)

But besides just your backyard, it’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for any “danger zones” in your neighborhood – where your cat might end up exploring. (Especially if it’s a part of their territory.)

A group of three cats sitting by a tree

💡And if you’ve invested in a Tractive device, you can actually mark out these spots on your mobile app – which then get broadcast to fellow pet parents in the vicnity!

Mark Out A Danger Zone

2. Give cat grass a whirl!

If your cat is used to roaming the whole neighborhood, it gets trickier to avoid pesticides and other dangers. After all, we can’t quite tell our neighbors what to do in their own backyards, right?

Which is where it makes sense to:

  • Monitor every morsel they eat. Don’t let your cat eat anything and everything they come across!
  • Redirect your cat’s grass-eating towards a safer alternative. Aka, cat grass.
beige cat eating grass from dish

What’s cat grass?

“Cat grass” refers to specific plants that are safe for cats to nibble and chew on. Including:

  • Oat
  • Barley
  • Wheat

All available at most pet stores. Though you can also grow these yourself in pots or outside – a fancy alternative to the greens sprouting next to busy roads or on dog-marked territory.

Typically, cat grass varieties:

  • Grow quite fast,
  • Are easy to take care of,
  • And thrive in both indoor and outdoor environments.

Cat grass is also generally considered safer for cats to eat than outdoor grass.

This is because regular grass outside might contain trace amounts (or more) of pesticides and other toxic substances like snail bait. So if your cat has the tendency to nibble on grass after meals, cat grass is an excellent safe option.

An indoor cat explores their garden's grass and flowers.

Usually, your local pet store will have cat grass kits, which include seeds, soil, and a potting container.

  • So all you need to do is to water them regularly and provide ample sunlight.
  • Within a week or so, your cat will have their own safe little garden of nibbles.
  • Meaning you can redirect them away from your houseplants or other flowers, which may be poisonous to them.

3. Do a “plant audit”

If you keep your cat indoors, make sure to provide them with cat grass as well and remove all toxic plants that they might nibble on. Whether your cat spends a lot of time outdoors or indoors, it’s useful to know this list of common toxic plants:

  • Amaryllis
  • Dieffenbachia (also known as Dumb Cane)
  • Lilies
  • Heartleaf Philodendron (also known as horsehead philodendron)
  • Aloe plant
  • Sago palm

The list goes on, so make sure all your plants are non-toxic to cats before bringing them home. Because even a bite, lick, or taste from one of these can induce anything from stomach bleeding to liver failure – if not worse!

A woman gardening next to her cat

💡Here’s a list of easy indoor plants that are safe for cats – so you can create an elegant green space in your home that also keeps your feline friend happy.

4. Try catnip for a change

Cat grass and catnip might sound similar, but they’re both completely different plants3:

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)is a member of the mint family. It contains a compound called nepetalactone, which can have different effects on your cat.

  • When they encounter catnip, either by sniffing, licking, or playing with it, cats might show signs of hyperactivity or roll around, rub themselves against you, or purr excessively.
  • In other cases, it can also make them more relaxed.
  • Catnip’s effects usually pass naturally after around 10-15 minutes and are not harmful to most cats. But do make sure your cat isn’t over-exposed to it, since they may be overstimulated.

Both catnip and cat grass are safe for cats to consume. Besides this, you can safely plant catnip around your cat grass to keep it safe from insects. This is because catnip is a naturally pest-repelling plant while also being non-toxic for both cats and dogs.

A cat sniffing at a plant

How to create your very own cat grass garden at home

Now if you’re thinking of planting your very own cat-friendly garden, it makes sense to fill it with safe, non-toxic, cat-friendly plants. This is one of the best ways to prevent your buddy from invading your neighbors’ gardens and taking a hefty mouthful of their houseplants or flowers – which might be sprayed with pesticides or other harmful chemicals.

Two women play with a cat outdoors in a garden full of potted plants.

So here’s how to get started:

  • Choose an easy, low-maintenance grass. Oat grass is an excellent, time-saving option. It grows faster than other grasses, which makes it a great snack for your cat. So head on over to your local garden center or pet store and pick up some seeds. (Just be sure to double-check the label and keep an eye out for any weird ingredients.)
  • Use a pot, try, or even a shallow dish to plant your seeds. Just make sure it has drainage holes to prevent water from gathering (as this might cause mold or mildew.) If your container has a lid, it can help the grass retain moisture and grow quicker.
  • Add soil, whether it’s potting soil or soil mixed with sand. Fill your container to about three-fourths full and add a little bit of water.
  • Plant the seeds by sprinkling them evenly over the soil. Make sure they’re not too close together. Cover them with a thin layer of soil and press down gently.
  • Water the soil gently to help the planted seeds settle.
  • Cover your container with a plastic wrap or lid to keep the moisture within.
  • Place your container in a location that gets some natural sunlight, like your kitchen windowsill.

Over the next few days, continue watering the soil gently to keep it moist.

  • Be mindful of how much water you’re pouring as the grass begins to grow. You want to avoid making it too dry or too wet.
  • If you notice any mold or mildew from too much water, just remove the lid and allow the soil to dry out by itself before you water it again.

And tada! Within a week or so, you’ll have a lovely pot of cat grass that’s grown to around 3-4 inches. The perfect fiber-rich snack for your feline friend.

So, can cats eat grass? (Safely?)

So if you’re wondering whether cats can eat grass, in short: yes, and it’s rooted in their natural instincts. Cat grass is perfectly safe for them to consume when grown specifically for your cat to eat.

  • You should also keep your plants and grass free from pesticides, chemicals and toxic substances to keep your cat safe.
  • Or consider a natural, cat-friendly alternative if you’re concerned about bugs and pests. Like, say, planting catnip near your cat grass.
A cat sitting next to a potted plant

But if you’ve got an outdoor cat at home that’s got a big territory…

Then there’s very little stopping them from accidentally brushing up, biting, or nibbling a plant that’s poisonous to them – or that’s been sprayed with pesticides.

All of which can make your cat very sick at bet – or worse.

💡So imagine the relief and peace of mind from knowing just checking your phone could mean:

  • Following your cat’s every step – as they make their every step
  • Marking out any areas in their territory as “danger zones” to avoid
  • An extra layer of security for your wandering buddy – all from the comfort of your couch?
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Know everywhere your cat goes

See where they are in real-time, no matter how far they go. Get alerts if they roam too far home. Find out where they’ve been and discover their favorite spots. Let others track with you.

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A quick summary of why your cat is eating grass, you say? You’re welcome 😉

And if you’ve like this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.