Many people are confused about what cat grass (wheatgrass) and catnip are, and what the differences between the two are. In fact, these are two distinct types of cat-friendly plants that you may not have seen with your own eyes, but as an avid researcher, you must be eager to learn about the differences between these two plants! Cat grass and catnip are different plants, and even cat parents might initially struggle to distinguish between them. In this article, the Cat Gardener will introduce the following knowledge points about ‘cat grass’ and ‘catnip’: What are cat grass and catnip? What are their differences? The functional differences and potential side effects of both? The feeding frequency of cat grass and catnip to cats? Where can you buy cat grass and catnip? What are the planting methods and recommended acquisition methods for cat grass and catnip? What are cat grass and catnip? What is the difference between the two? How to feed them to cats? How to plant them on your own? Read on to find out!OPEN article table of contentsWhat is cat grass (Cat grass)? What is the purpose of eating cat grass? How to feed cat grass?What is catnip (Catnip)? What is the purpose of catnip? How to feed catnip? What are the differences between cat grass and catnip? Can cat grass and catnip be planted yourself? Where can you buy seeds? How to plant cat grass? Where can you buy seeds?How to plant catnip? Where to buy catnip?SummaryCommon questionsWhat is cat grass (Cat grass)? What is the purpose of eating cat grass?Cat grass is not a single type of grass plant but refers to plants that help with the gastrointestinal motility and elimination of hairballs in cats, which can all be collectively called ‘cat grass’. Commonly seen cat grass (Cat grass) in the market includes ‘barley sprouts’, ‘wheat sprouts’, ‘oat sprouts’, and ‘dog tail grass’. What exactly is cat grass? Here are some key points and sayings about common cat grass that you should understand:Cat grass is a natural hairball remedy that helps cats ‘vomit’ out internal hair clumps. The most common are wheatgrass and oat grass, which can be consumed in about a week through hydroponic or soil cultivation. These two plants are rich in fiber and can be used to stimulate the gastrointestinal motility of cats. Generally, cat grass has no side effects, but it is not recommended to feed cats every day. If cats can accept cat grass, they can consume it 1-2 times a week, but be careful not to overfeed. Fresh and green common cat grass (wheatgrass) helps with gastrointestinal motility in cats. In the past, cats living in the wild would seek out and consume these cat grass plants to expel gastrointestinal parasites and hairballs (source of information). Although most cats today are domestic and less likely to be troubled by gastrointestinal parasites, regular supplementation with cat grass can also help cats vomit excess hairballs. Cat parents can grow cat grass by planting it themselves to reduce purchase costs. Additionally, if cats have gastrointestinal discomfort, they can also eat an appropriate amount of cat grass to alleviate symptoms![Extended Reading]Why do cats vomit? Analysis of the 5 most common reasons and 4 types of common vomitWhat is the proper way to feed cat grass?It is recommended to feed it once or twice a week, which can be a long-term and daily practice, but do not feed too frequently. Although cat grass can help with gastrointestinal motility, the fiber content can absorb water from the gastrointestinal tract, and overconsumption may lead to constipation in cats! How to feed cat grass? Simply cut the cat grass and feed it to the cat (cut it into small pieces).
Bring your cat to the potted plant and allow them to nibble on it at their leisure (attention should be paid to the amount consumed by the cat). Cut cat grass into small pieces and mix it into canned food, feed, or fresh food. What is catnip? What is the effect of catnip? Catnip is a plant belonging to the cat grass category, also known as cat grass. However, the difference between catnip and the aforementioned cat grass (wheat grass) is that catnip, also known as cat marijuana, is a non-toxic plant in the mint family that contains nepetalactone, which can calm or excite cats. That is to say, catnip is used for entertainment and stress relief for cats, making them relax like they have smoked marijuana, but it does not help with hairball elimination or gastrointestinal motility. So, what is the reason catnip can excite cats? The feline pheromone receptors are stimulated by the ‘nepetalactone’ component of catnip, generating a stress-relieving and mood-stabilizing effect, which lasts approximately 10 to 15 minutes after consumption. Catnip has a cooling-off period, generally, it takes 2 to 3 hours before it can affect cats again. *Garden Master’s Reminder – Depending on genetics, not every cat likes catnip, and as cats age, their interest in catnip may decrease. Also, be cautious not to overuse any cat grass or catnip. What is cat grass? It turns out it’s different from catnip! How to feed catnip? It is recommended to feed it once or twice a week, a small pinch (about one knuckle) at a time. Catnip is more entertainment than health for cats, and overconsumption can lead to immunity, so do not feed too frequently. How to feed catnip? You can purchase catnip from qualified pet stores and feed it according to the instructions above. You can also directly pick catnip leaves, one small piece at a time (about the size of one knuckle), and cut it into small pieces for your cat. If you buy catnip toys for your cat, the frequency of feeding catnip can be reduced. What are the differences between cat grass and catnip? The Garden Master has organized the differences between cat grass and catnip for easy and clear comparison for cat parents: Can cat grass and catnip be planted by oneself? Where can seeds be purchased? Frequent purchases of cat grass and catnip can be a financial burden? Don’t worry, cat grass and catnip can be planted by yourself, and the planting method is very simple for these plants. How to plant cat grass? Where can seeds be purchased? The cost of obtaining cat grass is very low, with seeds costing less than 100 yuan per kilogram, and the planting method is also simple: Soak cat grass seeds for 4 to 6 hours before planting. Fill the pot with 3/4 soil, evenly scatter the seeds on the surface, cover with soil, and water to keep the seeds moist. After sowing, place the pot in a place where it can be sunlit, but avoid direct exposure. Water the plant once in the morning and once in the evening. It can be harvested in about 7 to 10 days! Continue the planting method, and a batch of seeds can grow for about 1 to 3 weeks. After the cat grass withers, you can pull out the plant and continue to plant a new batch of cat grass according to the above method. Garden Master’s Reminder: Make sure to place the planted cat grass where cats cannot easily access it! After harvesting, you can give the cat grass directly to the cat, or chop it up and mix it into the cat’s food! Be careful not to give too much to your cat! Cat grass seeds can generally be bought at flower markets! The finished cat grass (wheat grass) is slightly more expensive, but overall, planting cat grass by yourself is still very cheap, cost-effective, and full of fun! Planting cat grass (wheat grass) is full of fun.
How to grow catnip? Where to buy catnip? The method of growing catnip is more difficult and troublesome than that of regular cat grass (wheat grass). The specific planting method is as follows: The planting method is roughly the same as cat grass, but special attention must be paid to the choice of container, which must have drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water accumulation that can lead to root rot. Germination occurs approximately 2-3 weeks after sowing. Although catnip requires sunlight, direct exposure should be avoided, and care should be taken not to overwater, as this can cause the roots to rot. The soil in which catnip has been grown should be replaced every 1-2 years to prevent depletion of nutrients and the subsequent risk of pests and diseases. Catnip requires ample sunlight, good ventilation, and well-drained sandy loam. It is easier to successfully plant catnip in the early autumn or in October when the weather is slightly cooler (temperatures around 15-20°C). Generally, it takes 4-6 weeks to harvest catnip, and temperature must be taken into consideration… The gardener still recommends that it is more convenient to buy ready-made catnip. Where can you buy catnip seeds? They are generally available at flower markets. Both catnip seeds and catnip plants are sold easily. Cat owners should hurry to replenish their stock at flower nurseries and markets during holidays～ If you are too lazy to go out, online shopping is also very convenient! Now, personally plant cat grass for your cat and train it to change its mind～ In summary, catnip and wheat grass… and other cat grass plants can be collectively referred to as cat grass, but cat owners often confuse them. Although collectively referred to as ‘cat grass’, their actual functions for consumption are quite different. After reading this article, you can consider planting cat grass at home. In addition to a sense of accomplishment, it is also relatively cheaper! As for catnip, the gardener still recommends buying ready-made as it is more convenient. Finally, the gardener has a few reminders for cat owners who have read this article! 1. Catnip should be avoided for cats to consume too often, no more than 20 minutes at a time, and no more than 2 times a week. 2. The planting location for cat grass and catnip should be kept out of easy reach of cats. 3. Kittens under 6 months may not accept the taste of catnip! Remember to be careful not to overdo it with catnip! Further reading: Essential cat nutrition knowledge for cat lovers: Taurine supplementation guide! Common questions: Are cat grass and catnip different? What are cat grass and catnip? Cat grass and catnip are different types of cat grass plants. Cat grass is a natural hairball remedy that helps cats vomit out hairballs from their bodies. Although it has no side effects, it is not recommended to let cats consume it every day. Catnip, also known as cat cannabis, is a non-toxic plant from the mint family, containing nepetalactone, which can calm or excite cats, relieve stress, and stabilize emotions, lasting about 10-15 minutes. Can you grow cat grass yourself? Where can you buy the seeds? The cost of obtaining cat grass is very low, with seeds costing less than a hundred yuan per kilogram. The planting method is simple: soak the seeds for 4-6 hours before planting, place them in a place where sunlight can reach, water them twice a day, and they can be harvested for cat consumption in 7-10 days. For detailed planting methods, please refer to the relevant sections of this article! What are the precautions for using cat grass and catnip? 1. Catnip should be avoided for cats to consume too often, no more than 20 minutes at a time.
2. The planting location of cat grass and catnip should be kept out of easy reach of cats. 3. Kittens under 6 months old or senior cats over 10 years old may not necessarily accept the smell of catnip! Limited-time trial set, only 50 yuan, and there is also a free shipping coupon. Click to use.?? petdaddy’s latest articles: [Meaning of Cat Postures] Understand 18 Kinds of Cat Body Language in 3 Seconds. 2023-02-03. [What to Do When Cats Fight] Prevention of Cat Fights + Emergency Guide for Breaking up Fights in Multi-Cat Families. 2023-01-26. Newbie Dog Ownership Guide: 7 Must-Have Items, Care Instructions, and Essential Knowledge for Dog Ownership. 2023-01-23. [What to Do When Cats Keep Meowing] Understand the Reasons Why Cats Keep Meowing in 3 Minutes and How to Deal with It? 2023-01-08. [Food Cats Can Eat] 20 Human Foods That Can Also Be Used for Cat Dietary Supplements! Cats Eat These to Live Longer! 2022-12-24. Thank you all for watching. If you find the director’s article very useful, you can click the share button below and share it on LINE and FB to all those in need of information. You are also welcome to join the fur parents’ LINE discussion group and discuss pet care with 670 fur parents.??
