Even though cats are carnivores, it’s no secret that most cats enjoy an occasional nibble of grass. And why not–it’s full of enzymes, vitamins, minerals, fiber anti-oxidants, cholorphyll! Having cat grass around can help your furry baby prevent constipation, sooth stomach upset, prevent hairballs, and give your cat a boost of vitamins and minerals to keep his immune system healthy.
However, it’s important to keep cat grass around–don’t let your cat simply eat houseplants because several common houseplants are toxic to cats. And letting your cat just eat the lawn isn’t great either, as it’s likely contaminated with pesticides and fertilizers…or dog poop from that annoying dog next door, or auto exhaust from the nearby freeway, or…the list goes on and on! You need a safe patch of grass indoors, near the kitty’s food, that isn’t contaminated with crap.
If you don’t want to spend $5 for a tiny pot of grass, don’t worry, growing your own is easy!
Step 1: Find Wheat Kernels. The variety doesn’t matter. You can find these at your local Whole Foods or other health food store where bulk food is grown.
Step 2: Soak in water for 24 hours. Use a large glass mason jar if you have one.
Step 3: Drain and rinse. Drain the water, using a mesh strainer if possible to get as much of the water out as possible. Rinse the seeds and drain them again, then return them to the jar. Wait 12 hours.
Step 4: Repeat. Repeat the rinse cycle every 12 hours or so until you notice tiny little shoots–see picture.
Step 5: Plant. Find a small pot, fill it with potting soil. It is also a good idea to anchor the pot with rocks in the bottom, to prevent kitty from knocking it over easily. Plant the seeds, covering them with about 1/4 of dirt. Sprinkle about 1/4 C of water on top every 12 hours, keeping the grass away from kitty until it is about 4-6″ tall.
Step 6: Enjoy! Once the grass is fully mature, place it next to kitty’s normal feeding area and he will begin to experience the joy of fresh, healthy kitty grass, and you will experience the joy of spending less than a dime to improve your cat’s health.