If you live with a cat who treats every houseplant like a salad bar, you’ll know the problem. Anything green is fair game, especially the plants you’d really rather they didn’t touch. Spider plants seem to be a particular favourite in a lot of homes.
That was the case with Mr Bump, too. He would go for anything leafy, usually followed by a suspicious amount of gagging and a very offended look. Cat grass turned out to be a much better option for both of us
Why do cats like grass in the first place?
Nobody knows exactly why cats are drawn to grass, but there are a few sensible theories. Grass seems to help trigger vomiting when something isn’t sitting right in their stomach, which may be useful for clearing hair or indigestible bits of food. It also gives them something to chew that isn’t toxic or fragile, which matters when you have houseplants around.
For indoor cats, especially, grass can be one of the few natural textures they get to interact with. Chewing it, sitting near it, and occasionally flattening it with their entire body seems to be part of the appeal.
Why cat grass is safer than houseplants
Many common houseplants are toxic to cats. Even plants that only cause mild stomach upset can still lead to repeated vomiting or discomfort if a cat keeps chewing them.
Cat grass gives them a dedicated plant that’s safe to nibble. It doesn’t stop the instinct to chew greenery, but it gives them a better option than whatever happens to be growing on your windowsill.
In that sense, it’s less about nutrition and more about redirection.
Where to put cat grass
If you’re setting some cat grass up, placement makes a big difference to whether it gets used. A windowsill works well because cats already like sitting there, and the light helps the grass grow. It also turns the grass into part of their routine rather than something hidden away in a corner.
If a windowsill isn’t an option, a bright room is fine. Cat grass grows easily, so it doesn’t need perfect conditions. What matters more is that your cat notices it and can reach it easily.
How big should the pot be?
This really comes down to space and how your cat behaves.
A small pot is enough for light nibbling. A larger pot can become something your cat actually sits in, which many of them seem to enjoy for reasons known only to cats. Bigger pots also mean more grass at once, which is useful if your cat flattens it enthusiastically.
There’s no “correct” size. The right one is the one that fits your home and your cat’s habits.
What soil is best for cat grass?
Because your cat is going to chew the grass, it’s worth being a bit picky about what you grow it in. Some composts contain fertilisers or additives that aren’t ideal if they end up in a cat’s mouth.
Using plain, organic soil avoids most of that. Grass doesn’t need much feeding to grow, so simple soil is usually enough. It keeps things straightforward and reduces the risk of your cat ingesting anything you didn’t intend.
A note on vermiculite
Vermiculite is often used to help soil hold moisture and air, but it isn’t a great choice for cat grass. Some cats will dig in the pot or investigate the soil itself. If they swallow vermiculite, it can expand when wet, which is not something you want inside a cat.
For something that’s meant to be chewed and sat next to, it’s safer to avoid it and stick to normal soil.
Which grass seeds are suitable?
Most cat grass is grown from common cereal grasses. Wheat grass and barley grass are the most common, but oats and rye are also used. They’re cheap, easy to grow, and safe for cats to chew.
Different cats don’t usually care which one they’re eating. What matters more is that the grass is fresh and easy for them to reach.
So, is cat grass worth having?
Cat grass isn’t essential, and it won’t magically fix stomach problems or plant-chewing habits overnight. But for many cats, it provides a safe way to satisfy their interest in greenery and can reduce how much attention they pay to houseplants.
For indoor cats especially, it can be a small but useful form of enrichment. It gives them something natural to interact with and a safer alternative to whatever else happens to be growing nearby.
In the end, it’s less about “feeding” your cat grass and more about giving them a better option than your spider plant.