How to Grow Cat Grass

Although cats are true carnivores, they seem to crave greens now and then. Indoor cats, unless provided with a better option, will likely head directly to your houseplants, many of which can be toxic to cats, to meet this urge to graze. To satisfy your kitty’s “salad tooth” and protect her and your houseplants from each other, try planting a container of cat grass.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Cat grass seeds (wheat grass, oat grass)
• Small pot, about 4 inches
• Planting medium (e.g., sterilized potting soil)
• Mister filled with clean water
• Damp paper toweling

1. To stimulate germination, presoak the seeds in a small dish of water for six to eight hours prior to planting them. When you are ready to plant, simply drain off the water.
2. Fill the pot to within an inch of the top with the planting medium. Mist with clean water to dampen and sprinkle the presoaked seeds thinly over the top. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of planting medium and mist heavily to wet the soil. Cover the pot with the damp paper towel and place it in a warm, dark place to germinate.
3. Check and mist the soil regularly. Do not allow the soil to dry out while the seeds are germinating. Keeping the top covered with damp paper toweling will help to retain moisture. Replace the damp paper towel daily to prevent mold from growing.
4. The seedlings germinate quickly--you should see green tips poking through the growing medium in about a week. As soon as the plants emerge, uncover the pot and place it in a sunny spot. Keep the soil moist but do not overwater. When the grass is two to three inches long, trim with a pair of sheers to a uniform length. At four inches, it's ready to be eaten.

Tips & Warnings

• Place the container of cat grass in a place your cat will recognize as her own. Praise her when she shows interest in it.
• If your cat has a favorite sunny window, consider planting your cat grass in a small container that has suction cups to affix it securely to the glass.
• Your cat grass will wither within two to three weeks. It is a good idea to start another pot each week so you'll have a fresh rotation of cat grass to offer your cat.
• If you find your cat has a tendency to overindulge in his pot of cat grass, don't give him unlimited access. Just put it within his reach occasionally and remove it when he's had enough.