Do cats really need grass?

I'm trying to get as prepared as possible for my new arrival. Meanwhile, I want to get necessary supplies. I've seen a lot of cat grasses, some in really cute containers. I wonder do cats truly need grass?

Mine will be almost totally an indoor cat, except when (or if) I can get her to go on a leash.

Is cat grass an item I'll need immediately? Or at all?

My cats eat grass when they dont feel good.
That is the only time I noticed that they even ate it. I bought one of those grass kits from Wal- Mart and they both eat it when they are sick but when they arent sick it doesnt get eaten.....

Originally Posted by Big-Cat-Fan

when they arent sick it doesnt get eaten.....

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Thats explained why Rosie and Sophie won't eat theirs that i've just grew!

Originally Posted by rosiemac

Thats explained why Rosie and Sophie won't eat theirs that i've just grew!

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I have no idea if it's necessary but my kittys have taken to eating all of my spider plants. They constantly graze, not just when they aren't feeling well. My dogs are also grass grazers. They love it. My vet said that basically animals like thier salads too.

Originally Posted by dicknleah

I have no idea if it's necessary but my kittys have taken to eating all of my spider plants. They constantly graze, not just when they aren't feeling well. My dogs are also grass grazers. They love it. My vet said that basically animals like thier salads too.

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Our cats have always been fond of our spider plants too. At first we weren't sure if they were ok eating them, but they've never been sick afterwards, so I figure it can't be hurting too much.
Eventually I'm going to get myself some catgrass and a nice pot for during the winter, my indoor kitties will like it much better.

I've always kept a pot of "cat grass" (oat grass or Cyprus grass) available inside for our cat(s), and they've all eaten it regularly. They also all have eaten grass in the backyard (untreated). I don't know whether it's "necessary" for their health, but they seem to enjoy it, and we've never had a cat with real hairball problems.

I buy sweet oat grass for my cats every now and then as a treat, but when they start to feel bad, or get sick, I got out and pick some grass, put it on a plate, and let them eat it... it really helps.

We take Harvey out on a leash sometimes and he doesn't really eat the grass he just chews on it.

Sam always eats grass and rarely gets hair balls, not sure if that's why but I know it helps. He loves grass and goes straight for it when he gets to go outside.

Originally Posted by Marge

Sam always eats grass and rarely gets hair balls, not sure if that's why but I know it helps. He loves grass and goes straight for it when he gets to go outside.

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It might be... grass really helps the feline digestive system.

I'm glad I clicked on this thread...I just remembered I have to water my new package of cat grass.

My cat likes grass and doesn't eat if often but she eats it when she feels fine, not just when she is sick. I feed her hairball treats and haven't had a problem with hairballs at all since I got her them.

Charlotte loves her cat grass. She even knows which pot is hers!! I started growing cat grass to keep Charlotte from nibbling my other plants. Now I grow it because Charlotte seems to enjoy eating it. I'm not sure if Izzie understands about the cat grass. She watches Charlotte eat it, but then walk away without even tasting it.

Cats need greens to provide vitamins (folic acid), aid their digestion, assist in removing fur balls and increase roughage in their diet. Eating grass is a natural craving for cats. Healthy and natural cat grass provides an excellent source of vegetation. I buy the organic kind at Petsmart...comes in a real small pot and my cat eats it like crazy...its like a treat! I feel better with her eating this than the grass outside for some reason! lol

My cats just LOVE grass! Here's a pic of Elle chewing away!

Awwwww.

Now it that was Sophie she'd be pulling them out one by one, then Rosie would be batting them all over the place

Thanks for your input about cat grass. I mainly wondered if cats might have some nutritional need for grass, but it sounds like it has lots of other benefits, too. The grass is now on my shopping list.

I buy wheatgrass at the grocery store but they pull it out of the pots and play with it instead of eating it.

I decided it was necessary when Nano would escape and the first thing she would do once outside was go behind the building to eat grass.

Obviously it was something she wanted, and it seems to help her in some way either be physically fit or generally comfortable, so I provide her a small supply of wheatgrass. She might eat a good bit of it one day, nothing the next...it is just an option that is there when she wants it.