Wheatgrass for cats has become popular in the past few years. Since cats are obligate carnivores, it may seem odd that they like to munch on grass. However, there are many potential health benefits cats receive when they chew on and ingest wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it a nutrient-dense food. But what exactly is wheatgrass and is it truly safe for our feline friends?

What Is Wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is a variety of grass that is used like an herbal medicine for its therapeutic and nutritional properties. It is the young, fresh shoot of the wheat plant, Triticum aestivum, that is harvested before the grain sprouts. Due to the concentration of nutrients, wheatgrass is considered a superfood. Fresh wheatgrass contains iron, calcium, natural enzymes, magnesium, chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins A, C, E, K and B complex. Because of the rich variety of nutrients present in this plant, wheatgrass is commonly used to help with detoxification and as nutritional support to provide additional nutrients that complement the diet.

Cat Grass Vs. Wheatgrass

Is cat grass the same thing as wheatgrass? While wheatgrass is commonly marketed as cat grass, cat grass can actually be any plant ranging from barley, oats, flax, rye, fescue, or bluegrass. When a company makes cat products that contain any of these grasses, they are all labeled as cat grass. When shopping for wheatgrass for cats, look for organic products to make sure that they are not sprayed by herbicides which are toxic to cats – whether it is the seed or the actual plant that is being purchased.