Can Cat Grass Help With My Cat's Constipation? (Vet Answered)

Hi Catherine,

Thank you for writing in. When it comes to cats and grass, there are lots of different opinions and theories about why some cats are attracted to the green stuff (my cat is obsessed!) while others show no interest.

Being carnivores, cats don’t usually get a lot of fiber in their diet, which, for indoor cats and those that are less active, can predispose them to constipation. Eating grass can help with this, as it is basically just water and fiber, but there are some downsides to eating grass too. 

Because cats don’t have the digestive enzymes needed to break down plant walls, grass can accumulate in the stomach, leading to vomiting. Some people believe that cats may actually eat grass to make themselves vomit if something has upset their stomach, or if they’re trying to get rid of hairballs.

Blades of grass can also get stuck behind the soft palate, causing serious irritation and intractable sneezing - I’ve had to sedate more than a few cats over the years to retrieve grass from this area!

And of course, if the grass has been treated with chemicals or been contaminated by anything else, your cat could be ingesting more than just plants.

Generally speaking, allowing your cat to munch on a bit of grass from time to time isn’t a bad thing, but it isn’t strictly necessary. There are a few types of grass that are quite suitable, including oat, wheat, or barley grass, and some you should avoid, like lawn seed and Bermuda grass. Planting your own is the best way to ensure it stays chemical-free, but if your cat is anything like mine, you may need to limit their access to it!

As a solution for constipation, grass probably isn’t going to be the most effective approach, and I would recommend trying some (or all) of the following:

• Make sure Stella is of an ideal body condition - overweight cats are much more likely to become constipated 

• Increase the amount of water/moisture that Stella is consuming, either by feeding more wet food, trying different water bowls, or a water fountain to encourage her to drink more water

• Reduce the amount of fur ingested when she grooms by giving her a thorough brushing, once or twice a week, particularly as it gets warmer. If she doesn’t bring up hairballs, there’s a good chance they're working their way out the other end, and this can also lead to constipation

• You can continue with a supplement formulated to relieve constipation in cats, or even try adding some canned pumpkin to her food - make sure it is plain and unsweetened. Cats often love the taste, and a dessert-spoon each day can add much-needed moisture and fiber

Of course, if the constipation isn’t resolving, the best thing to do is make an appointment with your vet. 

I hope this helps!

Dr Karyn