Can Cats Eat Grass?

Yes, most cats can nibble plain grass without trouble. The real danger is not the grass. It is what may be on it, like weed killer or bug spray. Let your cat eat only grass you know is chemical-free. Never let it chew lawn that was just treated.

Why do cats eat grass?

Experts don’t have one clear answer. Cornell Feline Health Center says cats that chew houseplants are usually indoor cats with little access to grass or other greens. They may be curious, or they may simply want some plant matter in their diet.

So a cat that nibbles grass is not strange. If it bothers you, give your cat a safer plant to chew (see below).

Is lawn grass safe for cats?

Plain grass is fine, but treated grass is not. The Merck Veterinary Manual says dogs and cats have had eye, skin, and breathing problems when exposed during or after weed killer was put on grass. Vomiting, wobbling, and weak back legs were seen in pets exposed to fresh chemicals on treated plants.

Merck also says treated plants are not a danger to animals once the product has dried. Even so, it is easier to keep your cat off any lawn that was recently sprayed. Check the product label for how long to wait.

Why does my cat throw up after eating grass?

Grass may make some cats throw up. A single episode may not be a problem. But the Merck Veterinary Manual says to see a vet if a cat:

• Throws up more than once or twice a day
• Has vomited for a long time
• Throws up blood
• Seems weak, in pain, or very tired
• Has a fever, dehydration, or weight loss

Merck also says cats swallow loose fur when they groom, and it can form hairballs in the stomach. It suggests brushing your cat often. Hairballs that keep coming back are a reason to see a vet.

What grass can I give my indoor cat?

Cornell Feline Health Center suggests oat grass, catnip, and catmint for cats that want something green. It also says you can add a little lettuce or parsley to the food bowl, or switch to a cat food with more fiber. Your cat may still chew houseplants anyway.

Check houseplants before you buy them. The ASPCA lists the spider plant as non-toxic to cats. But many popular plants, such as lilies, are toxic. Cornell names lilies, dumb cane, oleander, and poinsettia as examples. See our list of foods that are toxic to cats for more.

Other kinds of grass and grass-like things

Can cats eat chia grass?

Probably, but we could not find clear guidance. The ASPCA cat plant list did not include chia when we checked it, and we found no vet-source advice on chia sprouts for cats. Treat it like any new plant. Offer only a small amount, keep your cat away from anything treated with chemicals, and ask your vet first. A decorative chia planter is not food.

Can cats eat lemongrass?

No. The ASPCA lists lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) as toxic to cats. Keep it out of reach, and don’t grow it where your cat can chew it. Not every plant with “grass” in its name is safe.

Can cats eat grasshoppers?

We found no major vet source that calls grasshoppers toxic to cats. Still, there are two things to think about.

• Chemicals. Merck says pets can be poisoned by insecticides, including by eating treated plants. A grasshopper from a sprayed yard may carry the same risk. This is our reasoning, not something Merck says about grasshoppers.
• Worms. Merck says cats get tapeworms by eating fleas, mice and rats, and some other animals. It does not name grasshoppers. Still, a cat that hunts a lot should get regular parasite checks from a vet.

If your cat acts sick after eating bugs, call your vet.

What if my cat ate something sprayed?

Call a vet or a poison hotline at once. Merck says signs of insecticide poisoning can include a lot of drooling, throwing up, diarrhea, shaking, trouble breathing, and seizures. Don’t wait for signs to show up. Bring the product label.

Keeping grass time safe

• Skip yards that were treated with weed killer or bug spray.
• Keep a pot of cat-safe grass indoors.
• Move toxic houseplants out of reach.
• Brush your cat often to help with hairballs.
• Call your vet if the grass eating or vomiting suddenly gets worse.