Many of us cat owners have heard the term “cat grass.” We have seen the little tubs of cat grass in the stores or even seen packs of seeds for “cat grass” in the garden center. Have you ever wondered what type of grass is cat grass? I thought cat grass was a certain type of rye or wheat grass. I was wrong!
I found out that “cat grass” is a generic term for several types of grasses that are grown for cats. Common cat grasses include oats (Avena sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), rye (Secale cereale), and wheatgrass, though the term “cat grass” is often used specifically for non-wheat grasses.
Why is it important to understand what is in “cat grass”? It is important because different grasses contain different nutrients. So, when you are purchasing cat grass in seed form or kit form, you want to look up what type of grass you are purchasing for your kitty. Different grasses will also have different textures and taste. This is good to know when trying out different types of “cat grass” with your pet.