I’m really at a loss right now and could use some advice. My 6-or-7-year-old cat, Luna, has started eating grass almost every time we let her out in the backyard, and it seems like she’s doing it just to make herself throw up. This has been going on for about a week, and she never used to do this before. She doesn’t seem sick otherwise—still playing and eating like usual—but I’m worried something might be off. I always thought cats ate grass when their stomach was upset, but she acts fine except for this weird new habit. Has anyone else dealt with this? Am I missing something here, or is this normal?
Thanks for reaching out about your kitty's behavior. Cats sometimes eat grass as it can help induce vomiting which they might do to clear hairballs or other indigestible material from their stomachs. Occasionally, it's also a way for them to get some nutrients or fiber that their diet might be lacking.
While grass eating followed by vomiting can be quite common, frequent occurrences can sometimes signal an underlying issue like gastrointestinal discomfort, dietary deficiencies, or even anxiety. You can observe if she's trying to bring up hairballs since those can often be resolved by regular brushing and making sure she has a fiber-rich diet.
Keep an eye out for any other symptoms like lethargy, a drop in appetite, diarrhea, or vomiting that’s not associated with grass consumption. These could point to a bigger problem that needs veterinary attention.
At home, consider offering her cat grass, which is safer than grass from outside that could be contaminated with pesticides. Make sure she has plenty of fresh water and engaging activities to see if that reduces this behavior.
If her grass-eating habits persist or she shows any worrying signs, it’s best to arrange a video consult with one of us at Dial A Vet. We can look into her history more closely and figure out the right next steps together.
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