Since cat plant munching was mentioned in another thread, I thought I'd
start a new one discussing just this topic.
As was noted, 'regular' grass often gives cats nausea, at the least. This
is because these grasses have very tough bristles on their leaves and it
irritates the stomach. A better solution are the wheat grasses. They can
be bought in little pre-mixed pots at most pet stores, but if you price it
out, it can get very expensive. Add into this that these pots last for just
a few weeks (due to the nature of the plants and pots they're in... they're
not lawn grasses!) and the cost can get steep quickly.
A great cost saving solution is found at your local hippy health food store.
Look in the bulk aisle for the wheat seeds. Sometimes they are labeled
"wheat berries" (silly!). 50 cents worth will probably last you a year. Pot
'em up and water 'em. Get into a cycle of rotating pots and your kitties
will have more grass to munch than they ever dreamed of.
People often consider doing this to catnip, too... but I'd advise against
it. Cats won't really recognize it as catnip as long as the plant is
'healthy'. Generally, the leaves & stems of a a live plant have to be
crushed & bruised pretty severaly for the oils to be released that the cats
react to. Once that happens, its all over for the plant, and probably your
carpet too, as the cats may very well dig the plant out and spread potting
soil all over your house.
- T.
In addition to the natural food store, another economical place to get
these seeds is a grain elevator or feed store - if you are in or near a
rural area.
Several (6? 7?) years ago I recall reading a "recipe" for kitty cat
grass seed mix on Gardens. I believe it was a list of the kinds of
grasses that are acceptable. Does anybody remember this or possibly
still have it? Or maybe it would be in the archives? I've never
searched the archives myself, so I'm not sure how far they go back.
I don't have cats myself, but I remember giving the information to a
former coworker whose cat ate houseplants. They were able to get small
quantities of the seeds sold in bulk at a feed store for literally
pennies. They rotated the pots, as you suggested, starting a new one
every couple of weeks. It worked great - the kitty loved her pots of
grass and she left the house plants alone after that!
Della
> teragram
Since cat plant munching was mentioned in another thread, I thought
I'd
start a new one discussing just this topic.
As was noted, 'regular' grass often gives cats nausea, at the least.
This
is because these grasses have very tough bristles on their leaves and
it
irritates the stomach. A better solution are the wheat grasses. They
can
be bought in little pre-mixed pots at most pet stores, but if you price
it
out, it can get very expensive. Add into this that these pots last for
just
a few weeks (due to the nature of the plants and pots they're in...
they're
not lawn grasses!) and the cost can get steep quickly.
A great cost saving solution is found at your local hippy health food
store.
Look in the bulk aisle for the wheat seeds. Sometimes they are
labeled
"wheat berries" (silly!). 50 cents worth will probably last you a
year. Pot
'em up and water 'em. Get into a cycle of rotating pots and your
kitties
will have more grass to munch than they ever dreamed of.
People often consider doing this to catnip, too... but I'd advise
against
it. Cats won't really recognize it as catnip as long as the plant is
'healthy'. Generally, the leaves & stems of a a live plant have to be
crushed & bruised pretty severaly for the oils to be released that the
cats
react to. Once that happens, its all over for the plant, and probably
your
carpet too, as the cats may very well dig the plant out and spread
potting
soil all over your house.
- T.
> teragram
Since cat plant munching was mentioned in another thread, I thought
I'd
start a new one discussing just this topic.
As was noted, 'regular' grass often gives cats nausea, at the least.
This
is because these grasses have very tough bristles on their leaves and
it
irritates the stomach. A better solution are the wheat grasses. They
can
be bought in little pre-mixed pots at most pet stores, but if you price
it
out, it can get very expensive. Add into this that these pots last for
just
a few weeks (due to the nature of the plants and pots they're in...
they're
not lawn grasses!) and the cost can get steep quickly.
A great cost saving solution is found at your local hippy health food
store.
Look in the bulk aisle for the wheat seeds. Sometimes they are
labeled
"wheat berries" (silly!). 50 cents worth will probably last you a
year. Pot
'em up and water 'em. Get into a cycle of rotating pots and your
kitties
will have more grass to munch than they ever dreamed of.
People often consider doing this to catnip, too... but I'd advise
against
it. Cats won't really recognize it as catnip as long as the plant is
'healthy'. Generally, the leaves & stems of a a live plant have to be
crushed & bruised pretty severaly for the oils to be released that the
cats
react to. Once that happens, its all over for the plant, and probably
your
carpet too, as the cats may very well dig the plant out and spread
potting
soil all over your house.
- T.
That probably would have been a post from Kay Lancaster. I'll bet Jaime
Knoble knows which grasses are okay. BTW Della, wasn't it you who once
told the story about the woman who wanted to buy a certain kind of
zirconia? It's Christmas, give us all a treat and tell it again. Margaret L
Sorry, Margaret, that wasn't me! I don't think I know the Zirconia
story. But if if was a good one, I hope somebody remembers it and
shares!
Della
> Margaret Lauterbach
BTW Della, wasn't it you who once
told the story about the woman who wanted to buy a certain kind of
zirconia? It's Christmas, give us all a treat and tell it again.
Margaret L
If you've ever seen *Catgrass* sold in stores, this is just sprouted oats.
Very easy to do yourself and very cheap. Most health food stores sell oat
seed for sprouting. As someone mentioned, for less than $1, you can probably
get a year's supply.
Arzeena
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just
> a few weeks (due to the nature of the plants and pots they're in...
they're
> not lawn grasses!) and the cost can get steep quickly.
> A great cost saving solution is found at your local hippy health food
store.
> Look in the bulk aisle for the wheat seeds. Sometimes they are labeled
> "wheat berries" (silly!). 50 cents worth will probably last you a year.
Pot
cats
> react to. Once that happens, its all over for the plant, and probably
your
