Only a week into 2021, and I’ve had enough adventure. Funny how you wake up and think, “I gotta do this. I gotta get this going.” And then stuff happens, and it doesn’t get done.
I think it’s very important to discuss greens for my cat. Since Mr. Kitty (legacy kitty), I’ve learned how important this is. Celeste has been offered a steady supplemental diet of fresh oat grass (avena sativa) sprouts since the beginning.
You can debate all you want about its importance or lack thereof. Me, I’m a solid believer that cats benefit from eating greens. My little missy appreciates it very much.
I’ve tried offering her barley grass (the stuff stores sell pre-sprouted) and it’s always a no-go. I had tried barley grass with Mr. Kitty as well, and received the same response.
I generally keep three small pots (about 4″ wide and 5″ tall) going at various stages from seed to snack. The grass takes maybe 4-5 days to sprout, then it grows fast. And then it’s good for about a week, maybe a little longer. I’ve read that the roots grow long, and with only a small space the plants won’t last. (You can ask a farmer about the particulars, if you want.) The three small pots seem to provide a fresh, steady supply. It’s all part of my routine.
I am very careful about soil. I only use natural and organic soil – positively no fertilizers or additives. She can taste the chemicals, and rejects the batch. There have been times when she flat out refused to eat the grass because I had accidentally gotten the wrong soil.
And because the roots take up so much space in the pot, I huck the grass (and soil) when it’s no longer fresh.
And the seed, well, I have a preferred brand. Don’t buy cat grass seed at any big box store. I’m pretty sure most any ethically farmed seeds will work.
Other Greens
Catnip – Yes, definitely. My go-to brand has been Yeowww! It’s always arrived fresh – so fresh, she’s sometimes biting the bag as I’m taking it from the shipping box. It’s one of those, “Oh, just a sniff, please.” And then, chomp.
I sprinkle a small mound of it on one of her scratcher boards, where she’ll snack on it frequently. I change it out with a fresh little mound now and then. She really appreciates supplemental catnip in her diet, too.
It’s not just for entertainment. Catnip is good for stomach issues. And oat grass is reputed for nourishing the nervous system. Catnip tea? Yes, but not usually. For me, ginger is my go-to for stomach ailments. Oat grass tea reminds me too much of my childhood breakfast, Cheerios. Pass. For Missy, oat grass is a winner.
And when she is having tummy issues, I like to do a sneak attack upon her with a small dropful of Animal Essentials’ Daily Digestion. She HATES it – too much ginger. But, my observation is that it does help settle her tummy issues. It has wonderfully effective ingredients for stomach issues: chamomile, ginger, peppermint and fennel seed.
Back to greens, I’ve grown fresh catnip for her. She might take an occasional sniff, but she really prefers the dried crumbs. I suppose it’s like offering a child a fresh tomato, when they will only eat ketchup.
Chocolate mint – her favorite “smelly” plant, so far. But where I am now, there is not enough sun to grow it.
Cat thyme (teucrium marum) – That was a reject. Too strong. But, at the time I grew it, there was a neighbor cat who snuck around at night to enjoy it – I would discover the plants knocked over or smooshed down in the morning.
Silvervine – Yes, but not really. I’ve teased her with a twig now and then. I won’t leave it unattended. She has chewed on it. Splinters? I’d rather not go down that path.
Spider plant – Yes, and she does not chew it. But she sure liked to take a whiff on occasion. There’s no spider plant here at the present. But I might get another at some point. If you don’t know, it’s been said to have a mild hallucenogenic quality for cats.
Okay, I think that’s all I have about this right now. Stay safe.