Catnip vs. Cat Grass: Two Types of "Grass" Cats Love

In the world of cat ownership, catnip and cat grass are two familiar names. For many newbie cat parents, they might just be simply "cat grass," but in reality, catnip and cat grass are two different plants, and their effects on cats are also very different.

I. Cat Grass: The "Gut Cleaner" for Cats

Cat grass is actually a general term that refers to a variety of grasses that cats can eat, such as barley grass, wheat grass, oat grass, and foxtail grass. These grasses usually have long, thin leaves and are also common in ordinary lawns.

So why do cats love to eat cat grass? It's actually related to their digestive system.

Promote Digestion: Cats' digestive systems are unique. They need to ingest a certain amount of fiber to stimulate bowel movements and help eliminate hairballs and other waste products. Cat grass is rich in fiber and can effectively help cats digest food and prevent hairballs.
Induce Vomiting: When cats feel nauseous, they instinctively use the sharp blades of grass to stimulate the esophagus, causing vomiting to help remove foreign objects or indigestion from their stomachs.
Supplement Nutrition: Although cat grass is not very nutritious, it also contains a small amount of vitamins and minerals, which can help supplement their diet.

Tips for feeding cats cat grass:

Choose fresh cat grass, don't feed them dry grass or rotten grass.
You can let cats nibble on it directly, or cut it into short pieces.
Don't grind cat grass and feed it to them, as it will lose its vomiting effect.
Observe your cat's reaction. If your cat experiences vomiting or diarrhea, stop feeding them cat grass immediately.

II. Catnip: The "Happiness Source" for Cats

Catnip is a type of mint plant. It is related to true mint plants, but it is not the same species. The reason why catnip is so popular among cats is that it contains nepetalactone, which triggers excitement in cats.

The Magical Reaction: When cats come into contact with catnip, they exhibit various interesting behaviors, such as drooling, rolling on the floor, rubbing, meowing, etc. These behaviors are triggered by nepetalactone stimulating cats' sensory nerves, producing a reaction similar to estrus.
Short-lived "High": The effects of catnip usually last for about 10 minutes, after which cats will gradually return to normal. Moreover, cats' reaction to catnip will weaken over time, and after about half an hour, they will become immune to it.
Harmless Happiness: Catnip is harmless to cats and does not cause any addiction or hallucinations. On the contrary, it can help cats relieve stress and anxiety, especially when cats move, see a doctor, etc., using catnip appropriately can help cats adapt to the environment faster.

It's important to note that not all cats will react to catnip. Kittens, senior cats, and certain breeds of cats do not react to catnip, which is normal.

III. Catnip vs. Cat Grass:

| Feature | Cat Grass | Catnip |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Type | Grasses | Mint Plants |
| Main Function | Promote digestion, induce vomiting | Excite cats |
| Effect on Cats | No obvious excitement reaction | Produce short-term excitement reaction |
| Duration | None | About 10 minutes |


Conclusion

Both cat grass and catnip are plants that cats love, but they have different functions and effects on cats. Cat grass is the "gut cleaner" for cats and can help them digest food and detoxify. Catnip, on the other hand, is the "happiness source" for cats and can trigger their excitement reaction, making them happier.

Cat owners can choose the right plant to accompany their cats' growth according to their actual needs.

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