The Cat's Meow Rescue
Stay in touch!
  • Home
  • Available for Adoption
  • ADOPTED!
  • Special Needs Cats
  • Blog: Feline Friends
  • Contact
  • More Information
    • FAQ
    • Barn Cats
    • Finding your kitty a new home
    • Caring for Abandoned Kittens
    • Important to Spay & Neuter
    • Introducing a new cat to your home
    • Declawing - If you care, be AWARE
    • Litter Box Issues
    • What is Feline Leukemia?
    • What is FIV?
    • Kitty-Proof Your Home
    • Help Us Help Them
    • Become a Foster
    • LINKS
    • Media Kit
    • EVENTS
    • Special-Needs Posters Story

Cat Safe Cat Gardens

10/10/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
by Nomi Berger
 
Although cats are predominantly carnivores, most felines fancy a side of greens with their protein. As cat guardians can attest, their pets have a particular propensity for ingesting the leaves of indoor houseplants and gorging on grass when outdoors.
 
While researchers may not agree on the reason behind this kitty cat craving, they have proposed several theories. Some believe cats require certain enzymes and/or nutrients found in greenery. Others surmise that the fiber content in green grass possesses “stomach cleansing” properties and helps a cat’s digestive process by promoting the passage of “hairballs” through stools or vomiting. Still others maintain that some cats simply LIKE the taste and texture of crispy green leaves and crunchy green stems.
 
Because outdoor cats have more than ample opportunity to indulge in all things green and growing, pet guardians must take added precautions when using fertilizers and weed and pest control products on their lawns as they can prove highly toxic to cats.
 
To keep indoor kitties safe from indiscriminate snacking, the ideal solution is to create the purr-fect “pussycat garden” for them. The simplest method is to place a few pots of fresh cat grass throughout your home. Although cat grass is easily available through most seed companies and pet supply catalogs, it can also be found growing and pre-potted at many pet stores. To add variety to the mix, consider such feline-friendly grasses as alfalfa sprouts, bluegrass, Japanese barnyard millet, oats, rye, ryegrass and wheat.
 
For those with more ambition and an accomplished green thumb, why not construct your own, homemade “salad bar”? Start by placing a two-inch thick layer of potting soil in the bottom of one or more pots or planters. Add just enough water to moisten the soil and cover it completely with a thin layer of seeds. Lightly cover the seeds with a handful of soil and then loosely cover each pot or planter with plastic wrap, thereby creating a “greenhouse” effect. After three or four days, the seeds will have sprouted, and you can safely remove the plastic wrap. As the grass grows, water it as needed to keep the soil moist (NOT soggy), and mist it daily with a spray bottle. Once the grass reaches a height of two inches, place the pots or planters wherever it’s most convenient for your cat to safely and contentedly “graze”.
 
Grass can induce vomiting in some cats, and if yours is prone to vomiting, keep her away from her “garden” immediately following a meal. If she continues to vomit after eating the grass, consult your veterinarian before allowing her to have more. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author
    Blog articles for TCMR are written by Nomi Berger, an established author and journalist of 40 years, living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, who graciously volunteers her time and talent to help further our rescue efforts.


    AWARDS

    Picture

    Picture
    Cat Rescue Blogs

    Picture

    Picture
    Animal Rescue Blogs

    Picture
    Awarded by Best1x.com
    Best for Pets

    Picture

    Picture
    2017 Top 35 Cat Blogs awarded by "We're All About the Cats"

    Picture
    Awarded by "Feedspot.com"

    Picture
    Awarded by "10Greatest.com"

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    Categories

    All
    Cat Facts
    Cat Safety
    Community Awareness
    Fun Facts
    Health And Behavior
    How You Can Help

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly