Cats are animals strictly carnivores, so the mainstay of its nutrition is the protein of animal origin, such as beef or beef, chicken, turkey or fish. However, cats can also benefit from the consumption of fruits and vegetables that are good for their health. Even many of us are surprised to find that our pigs have decided to eat plants of their own free will.
In this circumstance, there are many tutors who ask themselves questions like: “Why does my cat eat grass?“Or”Is my cat sick if it eats plants? “. In this article we will explain why cats are forced to eventually introduce plants and plants in their diet, and we will help you identify when this behavior is a cause for concern.
Why does your cat eat grass and vomit?
One of the reasons why cats eat grass is to purge, relieve digestive disorders and detoxify your organism. If your kitten has eaten too much, ingested some inappropriate food or some toxic substance, it is possible that he eats grass to cause vomiting and eliminate these unwanted or harmful elements from his body.
In these cases, we will see that quickly after ingesting the plant, the cat begins to retch and vomit. Although the nature is very wise, if you notice that your pussycat vomits, has symptoms of digestive problems or poisoning, do not hesitate to take it quickly to the vet to verify your health status.
However, cats do not always consume plants to purge, as they are popularly said. If this were true, cats should have gagging and vomit every time they consume herbs, something that does not always happen. In this way, the feline can also eat grass to accelerate your intestinal transit and improve your digestion, since the plants provide a high contribution of fibers to your body. In these cases, it is not common for the cat to vomit but it is possible that it increases its amount of stools and eventually you can see the presence of grass in your stool.
Does your cat eat grass due to nutritional deficits?
If they do not have a complete and balanced nutrition, cats can consume herbs to supplement your diet and combat these nutritional deficiencies. In addition to being rich in fiber, plants are sources of folic acid, a vitamin B complex that participates in the formation of cells and tissues, improves blood circulation, helps strengthen the immune system, prevents anemia and many other diseases.
Remember that feeding the cat is a key aspect for your health and the development of their cognitive, emotional and social abilities. Therefore, we recommend always having the guidance of a veterinarian to offer the best diet to your kitten, considering its age, size, state of health and the specific needs of its organism.
Cats eat grass as a laxative
The high fiber content of the plants stimulates intestinal transit, helping to combat and prevent constipation in cats. If your cat has difficulty defecating regularly or your stools are very hard and difficult to pass, you may eat grass to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms and pain you feel when you are constipated.
It is normal for cats to defecate every day and their stools are neither dry nor soft. In general, you can consider that your feline is constipated if he spends 2 or more days without evacuating. Therefore, if you notice that your cat has not evacuated in 2 or 3 days, do not hesitate take him to the vet.
Is it bad for cats to eat grass?
Many tutors wonder what happens if a cat eats grass and if this is bad. At first, eating grass is not a bad thing or harmful to the health of felines. Vegetables are natural sources of fiber, vitamins and some minerals that help strengthen the immune system of our kittens, improve their digestion and prevent constipation. The organism of the cat is prepared to consume grass in specific situations to protect its well-being and to conserve the balance of its metabolism.
However, we must be vigilant, look at the reason that leads our cats to eat grass and observe if this behavior is accompanied by other symptoms. If your pussycat is thin, hungry or eat grass regularly, we recommend consulting a specialized veterinarian to see if your diet is adequate to your nutritional requirements.
On the other hand, if you notice that your cat does not go to the bathroom regularly or observe alterations in the faeces of your feline, it will also be better to take it to the veterinary clinic to verify the cause of constipation and rule out the presence of parasites or hair balls in your gastrointestinal tract.
Logically, the consumption of toxic plants for cats is strictly forbidden for all kittens, under any circumstances. To ensure that your cat can eat grass safely, we recommend you always have catnip or natural malt in your house, or cultivate some beneficial plants for cats, without the use of pesticides or pesticides that can poison your organism.
Remember that the articles are informative and in no way substitute specialized veterinary attention. Therefore, when observing any change in the behavior or aspect of your feline companion, take it quickly to the veterinary clinic.
Good plants for cats
In addition to catnip or catnip, cats can eat plants like valerian, dandelion, chamomile and even more aromatic plants such as basil or rosemary. All of them provide different properties and benefits that can help you improve your health status. Of course, as we said, this type of vegetables should never base their diet, they are complements added to their usual diet.
And if you have noticed that your cat eats the plants in your garden and you want to avoid it, or teach him to eat only the plants that are for him, do not miss this article: “How to prevent my cat from eating the plants”.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why do cats eat grass?, we recommend that you enter in our Curiosities section of the animal world.