cat grass

[Deedee]

I got some cat grass (click to see pic) and it says to water it once and then in a few days it'll grow and you can serve it to your cat.

Well it's been a week and it's looking real nice (actually a couple days taller than pic shows but my camera batteries died so I couldn't update that.) Anyway it's on her favorite windowsill and she's as good as "served" but she's not exactly going to chow it all down. Meanwhile how do you care for the grass? The package stated ONLY WATER ONCE like if you did it more than once something drastic happens or something. Not sure how to proceed or how long the grass can stay healthy and green after it's already up. Is it a one-off treat that dies or can it be maintained somhow? Any info appreciated.

[coaster]

Naw -- I don't know where they came up with such silly instructions. Just treat it like any other houseplant -- water it when it's thirsty. Also, you might trim it back from time to time if the cat doesn't do it for you.

[Meaile]

Is cat grass a special strain of grass or is it just regular grass seed in a fancy dish?

[Deedee]

Thanks, I'll try my best to keep the grass alive... if my record with houseplants comes into it, I'll need a lot of luck! Container says it's barley, oats and/or wheat grass. I don't know what normal just yard grass even really is. I have noticed in my travels that what constitutes "normal every day grass" has a wide range of variables depending on what kind of climate you're in I suppose. The yard grass in New York for instance is very different looking from the grass in Florida.

I just got Tashi (year old from shelter) last week, and she is an indoor only cat, and I was led to believe she did need it, but so far I think I'm more impressed with it than she is. It came in a non-dirt base with gel that I activated by adding water... so not sure I will succeed with keeping it alive because it's not in normal potting soil. I just don't have any experience with this kit.

I'm glad to have found this forum to get guidance, it's a great help to many, I'm sure. Maybe someone who's had one of these grass kits will let me know what to expect and if anyone agrees/disagrees that grass is an essential component to indoor cat's diets. The only thing I ever saw cat grass accomplish was making cats throw up green.

[coaster]

Originally Posted by Meaile

Is cat grass a special strain of grass or is it just regular grass seed in a fancy dish?

It's different than lawn grasses. It's one or a combination of what are called "edible" grasses. Wheat, alfalfa, barley...some others can't think of right now. "Grass" is a rather general term for a large variety of different kinds of plants with long, upright stems and leaves.