Why it is safe for cats
Cat grass is young oat, wheat or barley grass grown in a small pot. It is not poisonous, and chewing grass comes naturally to cats. Cat grass is not catnip: catnip is a different plant whose smell excites cats; this page is about the grass.
Grass is poorly digested, so after eating more of it a cat may vomit, sometimes bringing up a hairball with it. If the vomiting keeps coming back, the cat stops eating or becomes dull, contact a vet.
It is safer to grow cat grass indoors: grass outside may have been sprayed with fertiliser or pest control products.
What to watch out for
- A cat that eats a lot of grass may vomit.
- Throw away mouldy or yellowed grass and sow fresh.
- Grass outside may have been sprayed with fertiliser or pest control products.
- If the vomiting keeps coming back, the cat stops eating or becomes dull, contact a vet.
Safe plants instead
Plants that are safer to keep.