Why Do Cats Eat Grass? The Truth Behind the Green Snack
Published On: 10/23/2025
Last Updated On: 10/23/2025
By Callie, Seymour, Yebba, and Mama and our Hooman Ashley!
FREE CAT HAIR HACKS
⬇️
FREE CAT HAIR HACKS ⬇️
Close-up of a gray tabby cat playfully eating fresh green grass outdoors, showing bright yellow-green eyes and a joyful expression.
If you’ve ever caught your cat nibbling on your houseplant and thought, “Are you broken?” — you’re not alone.
From one cat parent to another (and from four grass-munching journalists to you), let’s clear the air: no, we haven’t lost our minds. We eat grass for very specific — and slightly mysterious — reasons.
And no, it’s not because we’re trying to become vegans. 😹
The Instinctive Explanation
Cats have been eating grass since long before anyone invented cat food — or carpets.
Scientists believe this habit goes all the way back to our wild ancestors. Grass acts like a natural digestive helper, pushing out hairballs, bits of fur, and the occasional questionable snack we shouldn’t have swallowed (looking at you, Seymour).
Think of it like a kitty detox — nature’s way of keeping our systems clean and our stomachs light.
The Science of the Munch
Here’s what researchers and rescue cats agree on:
Grass helps digestion. The fiber in grass moves things along (if you know what we mean).
It may help with nausea. Some cats instinctively eat grass when they feel off balance, much like how humans sip ginger tea.
It adds trace nutrients. Grass juice contains folic acid — a vitamin that helps us stay energized and oxygenated.
It feels instinctively right. We’re hunters, but we’re also complex emotional beings. Sometimes… we just crave the crunch.
Pro tip for humans: if your cat eats grass regularly, make sure it’s pesticide-free and never treated with lawn chemicals. Even better, grow your own cat grass (oat, rye, or wheatgrass blends) indoors.
Orange tabby cat sitting beside a bag of cat grass seeds and a small pot of sprouted cat grass, with butterflies flying around the scene on a white background.
Why Indoor Cats Still Do It
Even indoor cats — like us newsroom pros — will occasionally go full “mini cow mode.”
We don’t do it out of boredom. We do it because something in us says “green = good.”
That’s why cat grass kits have become so popular. They let us satisfy that natural instinct safely, without ruining your expensive fiddle leaf fig. 🌿
It’s enrichment, it’s instinct, and it’s one of the simplest ways to make your home feel like our natural habitat.
A Rescue Cat’s Perspective
When you’ve spent part of your life outdoors — like some of us did — the smell of fresh grass brings back a sense of peace and safety.
It reminds us of freedom, sunlight, and the simple comfort of being alive.
So next time you see us nibbling your houseplant, don’t panic. Just smile and say, “you do you, little lawn mower.”
🐾 Coming tomorrow on Stray Cat News
How to Help Stray Cats in Your Neighborhood (PA Edition)
You’ve seen them — the cautious eyes under a porch, the flash of fur near a dumpster, the cat who shows up just close enough to make you wonder if they have anyone.
Tomorrow, we’re sharing a story straight from our rescue hearts: how YOU can safely, effectively, and compassionately help stray and community cats right here in Pennsylvania. 🐈⬛💛
From TNR programs in Berks County to simple DIY feeding station ideas, we’ll cover:
✨ How to tell if a cat is truly stray or just lost
✨ What to do (and what NOT to do) when feeding outdoor cats
✨ How local rescues & volunteers are making a difference across PA
✨ Plus — a resource list of shelters, TNR contacts, and community cat advocates
It’s one of the most important stories we’ve ever told — because not every cat has a home, but every cat deserves help. 🐾
👉 Catch the full feature tomorrow on Stray Cat News
