IS WHEATGRASS GOOD FOR CATS? Well, it’s hard to say for sure. In fact, there have been no studies that have specifically looked at whether or not wheatgrass is good for cats. But from the research we do have on other species, there are a number of reasons why cat owners may want to stay away from giving their feline companion wheatgrass juice.
Wheatgrass is a plant that grows in warm climates and thrives in nutrient-rich soil. It can grow anywhere from 6 inches to several feet tall depending on the variety and time of year it was harvested. The blades of the grass are used to make juice, but generally not eaten because they taste too bitter without any other flavoring agents added. Cat’s tend to be very choosy about what they eat and it is very unlikely that they would take to chewing wheatgrass blades on their own.
Wheatgrass is often sold in powder form or in capsules because of the intense taste. The most common way for people to consume this plant is by mixing it with other juices or smoothies, particularly those made out of fruits like apple, orange, banana, strawberry, etc. Wheatgrass juice can be purchased at any natural food store including Whole Foods.
Wheatgrass does not contain much nutritional value for cats. It contains high amounts of iron which could be dangerous when consumed by ferrets. It also lacks essential amino acids which are necessary for proper feline development ( proteins ). Many cat owners will supplement their cats’ diet with wheatgrass to help them with skin problems or to improve their coats. While there are anecdotal stories of this working, it is important to note that these claims have not been supported by any scientific evidence.
There are several harmful toxins found in wheatgrass which could potentially harm your cat if he ingests too much. Some of the most common wheatgrass toxins include oxalic acid, nitrates, and cyanide. All three can be fatal if ingested in large quantities over a short period of time. It would take feeding your cat 100 grams or more per day for at least 10 days before he would experience any negative effects from too much oxalic acid. Nitrates are not thought to be dangerous unless you fed your cat 50 grams or more per day for at least 5 days. With cyanide, it would take 200 grams or more per day for five consecutive days to be dangerous.
Wheatgrass is generally safe when used as directed because the concentration of toxins in wheatgrass juice is very low. But cats are notoriously picky eaters and it would be extremely difficult to force your cat to consume enough wheatgrass so that he experiences any negative effects. While there is no scientific evidence that suggests wheatgrass is harmful to cats, there isn’t any evidence that says it’s good either. The risks outweigh the benefits if you choose to give your feline friend this plant. If you see him eating grass outside, try not to worry too much about it because he is probably just trying to get rid of any indigestible material in his stomach.
If you do choose to give your cat wheatgrass, it is important that you introduce it slowly into his diet so that he can build up a resistance to the toxin oxalic acid. Start by giving him one drop per day for eight days. If no negative side effects are noticed after this time period then increase the amount to two drops per day for six more days. If no negative side effects are noticed at this point either, then gradually increase the number of drops until your cat tolerates five drops per feeding. But remember; if even one negative side effect like diarrhea, vomiting, or lethargy is experienced during this process, stop giving your cat wheatgrass immediately. And if he ever ingests too much, call your vet as soon as possible.
Wheatgrass is a very bitter and unpleasant tasting plant and cats would much rather eat freshttps://petsguideusa.com/how-to-grow-wheatgrass-for-cats/h grass or catnip (which we discuss in our article: CATNIP VS WHEATGRASS ). If you give your cat wheatgrass, it would take a lot of persuading to get him to enjoy his new food. This means that you will have to put the juice into other things like fruit juices, smoothies, yogurt, etc so that your cat doesn’t realize what he’s eating. You could try coaxing him with treats during the ingestion process but this may not be enough to keep him from turning his nose up at the new plant that he has been force-fed.
Cats’ digestive systems are not built to digest high amounts of fiber which is what wheatgrass contains. Fiber binds to water which increases the amount of fluid in a cat’s stool. This can make your cat feel bloated and uncomfortable, not to mention result in diarrhea or other digestion issues. If you choose to give your cat wheatgrass, it would be best if you mix it with his regular food so that the increased water intake from the fiber does not cause any straining when he uses the litter box. You should also monitor how much extra fiber he is getting (throughout the day) because too much will result in an overproduction of feces which can lead to constipation.