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Cat grass is the colloquial term for trays or pots of young , most commonly wheat ( Common wheat), barley ( Barley), oat ( Oat), and sometimes rye ( Rye) that are grown indoors for cats to chew. Catnip ( Catnip) and other iridoid-rich plants are usually not included in the term, as they primarily elicit rubbing and rolling behavior rather than ingestion.
The most common stated benefit of cat grass for the pet is to aid the passing of Hairball.
Cat grass is widely available in seed kits, ready-to-grow pouches, and live trays.
Cat grass can be grown indoors year-round in shallow trays using potting media or hydroponic mats. The process is similar to growing wheatgrass microgreens, and advice for the latter is commonly repurposed to guide "cat grass" cultivation. General microgreen guidance recommends dense sowing, 1–3 days of dark "germination" with high humidity, bright light after emergence, good air movement to reduce mold, and harvest/presentation within 1–2 weeks.
Many "carnivorous" species also ingest plants, with ethological function dependent on species, context, and plant type.
Domestic cats are believed to consume grasses primarily for their dietary fiber content. In this regard, cat grass supplants nibbling on or .
Cats may use plant fibers to help pass hairballs. A 2025 microscopy study of regurgitated matter found leaf trichomes interlocked with hair.
Nevertheless, pet cat owners in surveys have not observed behavioral changes to support this hypothesis.
Persistent vomiting warrants clinical evaluation to rule out gastrointestinal disease.
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