“I heard a crashing noise coming from the kitchen and found my once adorable chia pet completely destroyed and beheaded! The culprit looked me dead in the eye and walked away as if she hadn’t just eaten an entire plant! But can cats eat chia grass!?”
Chia seeds, chia sprouts, chia grass – you couldn’t escape this incredibly versatile plant even if you tried to. It’s been trending on social media for years and you finally caved in.
Your mischievous monster loves munching on anything she can get her paws on. So, it was about time you googled whether cats can eat anything chia-related.
Don’t panic! Chia seeds, sprouts, and grass are completely safe for your feline friend. You shouldn’t lose your mind if your cat takes a sudden interest in this odd-looking treat.
Cats can safely consume chia grass without toxicity. However, caution is advised with chia seeds if your cat takes medication. Chia grass can be a healthy addition to your cat’s diet, providing essential nutrients like fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Consider incorporating it if your cat needs more veggies and fruits in their meals.
Chia plants contain a bunch of minerals and antioxidants, which make them incredibly beneficial to your curious creature. An occasional chia treat can boost your cat’s immune system and digestive system, and ensure your cat’s overall health.
However, you should consult with your vet before making any significant changes to your cat’s diet. Can cats eat chia grass? Does your cat like chia grass? Is your cat allergic to chia plants? Will she have issues swallowing chia seeds?
Do cats like chia grass?
Cats are carnivores which means they require heaps of meat, animal protein, and animal-sourced vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in their diets. They certainly don’t require grass, but does that mean they shouldn’t eat it? And what about chia grass? Can cats eat chia grass?
If you’re a cat parent, you might have seen your cat nibble on some regular grass in your backyard. You might have even contacted your vet because you thought the only reason cats eat grass is to induce vomiting when they have an upset stomach! So, do cats like grass?
They absolutely do! You should consider the fact that there are different types of grass that carry different nutritional and health benefits (such as chia grass, cat grass, catnip, alfalfa, lemongrass, and wheatgrass). But, cats aren’t picky when it comes to this particular treat.
Chia grass is the term we use to refer to the particular type of grass that grows out of your chia pet. It’s often confused with chia sprouts which grow out of chia seeds that have been placed onto a terra cotta dish. Chia grass is packed with minerals and other essential nutrients.
On the other hand, cat grass or pet grass isn’t one type of grass. It’s a grass mixture that’s typically grown from seeds such as wheat, barley, oats, or even rye. It’s grown specifically for cats (or other household pets) and it doesn’t contain any harmful pesticides or herbicides.
And, we can’t forget about catnip! Catnip contains an active ingredient called nepetalactone which has quite an interesting effect on most cats (yes, even the big ones).
Once they smell its fragrant aroma, they start sniffing and licking it, rolling around in it, and rubbing their cheeks on it. It’s incredibly entertaining!
Can cats eat chia grass? Can you let your pet munch on it?
Cats can eat chia grass! If your curious creature is a big fan of munching on this crunchy treat in her free time… You shouldn’t be concerned. Chances are she’s just trying to reap some health benefits, improve her digestive system, and quicken her bowel movement.
As mentioned before, chia grass is the term we use to refer to the type of grass that typically grows out of your chia pet. According to the ASPCA, chia grass is considered safe for feline consumption. It also contains a bunch of nutritional and health benefits which make it a great treat for your cat.
But… There’s always a but when it comes to feeding your feline friend with anything that shouldn’t be a part of her regular diet (like human foods). Excessive amounts of chia grass might lead to various digestive issues, so make sure to only use it as an occasional treat.
Reasons why you should feed chia grass to your cat
So, your precious purr machine has a nasty habit of breaking into your herb garden and beheading your chia pets? There’s nothing wrong with that! Chia grass is packed with fiber, protein, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and various micronutrients.
While your mischievous monster might get in trouble for misbehaving, chances are she will sleep tight knowing she reaped some amazing benefits from your chia pets. So, can cats eat chia grass?
Fiber is incredibly beneficial to your cat’s digestive system. Plants that are high in fiber like chia grass (9.8 grams per serving size) provide bulk to help food move through your cat’s digestive tract. It’s incredibly beneficial to cats who suffer from gastrointestinal issues, constipation, diarrhea, and even diabetes.
Plant protein is quite a handy macronutrient. Cats don’t require plant protein in their diets because they’re carnivores. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t benefit from an occasional chia treat. Plant protein can help build and repair muscle, as well as maintain adequate hormone levels.
Chia grass isn’t the best source of vitamins, and that’s completely fine. It contains heaps of minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, and zinc. All of these minerals are responsible for improving bone mineral density and regulating blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and fluid concentration.
Omega 3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and fight against the onset of inflammatory diseases. They’re a great ally in preserving your cat’s immune system, as well as the health of your cat’s skin and fur.
And if that wasn’t enough, chia grass might also help your precious pet get rid of throat blockage caused by those pesky hairballs! So, if you’re still wondering whether cats can eat chia grass, there’s your answer!
Reasons why you shouldn’t feed chia grass to your cat
Don’t worry, there aren’t many reasons why you shouldn’t let your cat have a feast in your herb garden. Chia grass is completely safe for your little stinker as long as she doesn’t go overboard and eats the entire chia plant in one sitting! So, can cats eat chia grass?
You can never be too careful when it comes to your cat. There are a couple of things you might want to consider if you’re planning on introducing chia grass as a healthy treat to your cat’s diet.
First things first, let’s talk about why it isn’t a good idea to let your little munchkin eat an entire chia plant in one sitting. Cats are carnivores which means that they don’t require fruits, veggies, and plants in their diet.
They can eat them in the form of an occasional treat. But, treats should only comprise around 10% of their daily food intake. Your cat’s digestive system doesn’t possess the enzymes necessary to break down the chia grass. Unfortunately, this means that your cat’s herb garden escapades might end in a rush to the litterbox!
In addition to that, chia grass doesn’t contain all the nutrients that are essential for your cat’s health. Your little stinker requires animal protein and animal-sourced vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to survive and thrive.
And lastly, chia grass might be dangerous! The grass in itself shouldn’t cause any adverse reactions. However, your cat might not be able to avoid those rogue seeds from the cat grass planter. Chia seeds aren’t toxic to cats, but…
They might be a choking hazard for your little munchkin. Chia seeds change their size and consistency when they’re ingested. They might get stuck in your cat’s throat or anywhere in her digestive tract. Even adult cats struggle with them!
Can cats eat chia seeds?
Chia seeds come from two different chia plants, Salvia hispanica and Salvia columbariae. You might think chia seeds gained their popularity in the past couple of years, but Mayans and Aztecs have been using them for years. In fact, they got their name from the Mayan word for strength.
Chia seeds are typically black or white in color. You can find fresh chia seeds on pretty much everything – tortillas, pastries, granola bars, or even salad. You can also find them soaked in different liquids – chia pudding, chia smoothies, or even chia fresca.
It’s safe to say chia seeds are incredibly popular among humans. But, are they safe for your precious purrincess? Can cats eat chia seeds? Yes, they can! Chia seeds (along with other parts of the chia plant) are completely safe for feline consumption.
But… If you’re planning on feeding chia seeds to your cat, you should keep an eye on a couple of things. You shouldn’t include these tiny seeds in your cat’s regular diet because they might lead to digestive issues, diarrhea, and vomiting.
And, you should make sure to serve these edible seeds with something else because they might become a choking hazard if they’re eaten on their own. Other than that, feel free to make your precious princess happy with some mouth-watering chia seed treats!
Can cats eat chia sprouts?
If you’re growing chia sprouts on a terra cotta dish in your herb garden, you might be wondering whether you should let your mischievous monster take a couple of bites. After all, you can’t say no when she gives you that pouty look!
Don’t worry, cats can eat chia sprouts! Every part of the chia plant is safe for feline consumption according to the ASPCA. Chia sprouts contain a bunch of plant protein, minerals, and antioxidants which might be incredibly beneficial to your cat.
You shouldn’t let your cat eat everything that’s on your terra cotta dish in one sitting, though. Excessive amounts of chia sprouts, or any other plants for that matter, might lead to digestive issues, diarrhea, and vomiting. It’s best to consult with your vet before introducing anything new into your cat’s diet.
Can cats eat chia plants?
We have already discussed this question to a tee, but it doesn’t hurt to answer it again. You can never be too careful when it comes to your little munchkin’s safety. So, cats can eat chia plants?
Chia plant, or Salvia hispanica, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family. Every part of the chia plant is completely safe for feline consumption, so you shouldn’t panic when your cat decides she’s in the mood for a fresh salad.
It’s true that your cat requires lots of meat and animal protein in her diet. But, you shouldn’t stray away from throwing in a couple of fruits, veggies, or plants every now and then.
An occasional chia plant shouldn’t cause any adverse reactions, and it should provide your precious purrincess with some amazing nutritional and health benefits.
Can cats eat chia grass safely?
Even though cats are carnivores, they can still eat chia grass since it’s not toxic to felines. It improves their digestive system and quickens their bowel movement. Just make sure it isn’t the only thing they eat since it can’t satisfy their nutritional needs.
