Why Do Cats Eat Plants?

Have you ever seen your cat eating plants? Many new cat parents often are surprised to see their cats chewing leaves. Some may even be concerned about their pet’s well-being and take it to the vet. However,  most cats nibble on plants, and this is a common phenomenon.

There are several reasons your cat may chew leaves. Natural instincts, curiosity, teething, pheromone marking, temperature regulations, and digestive issues are some of the common causes. In this blog, we will discuss all these reasons in detail.

Let’s roll:

Possible Reasons Why Cats Like to Eat Plants

There are lots of concerned cat parents on the internet who are very concerned about their cats eating plants. Some also moved away all their indoor plants just to make sure their cat didn’t get sick by eating them. 

Even after all these concerns, no one could stop their cats from destroying plants. However, if you know the reasons behind your cat’s plant-eating behavior, you can give them alternatives and ensure their safety.

Here are 9 reasons we detected why your cat may be nibbling on plants.

1. Natural Instincts

As carnivore animals, cats should not be eating plants. Their primary diet consists of meat from other small animals. However, when in the wild, they often consume the stomach remaining of their prey.

Even after being domesticated, housecats retain this instinct. They may not get certain beneficial compounds from cat foods or a meat-only diet. Thus, they choose to chew on leaves to get those nutrients.

More specifically, cats consume plants to digest compounds like polyphenols, tannins, and alkaloids. These compounds help cats to regulate digestion, boost immunity, and stimulate appetite. 

2. Curiosity and Playfulness

In addition to having natural instincts, cats are generally curious animals and are very eager to try new things. So, if your cat is not getting enough stimulation in your home and getting bored, they may go on nibbling plants just because it wants to do something.

If you want to prevent your cat from eating plants, give them toys or a cat tower. It will keep them busy and entertained. Therefore, it will be less interested in chewing plants.

3. Digestive Issues

Cats can often get sick and suffer from irregular bowel movements. During such times, cats are often seen chewing leaves. Rosemary, thyme, and sugarcane leaves are particular favorites of many cats. 

These plants contain certain nutrients that help cats ease their bowel movements. If you have a kitten, you might even need to manually remove the leaves from its digestive tract. 

4. Gastrointestinal Discomfort

While grooming themselves, cats ingest a massive amount of their fur. These furs go inside their stomach and generate fur balls. This can cause massive gastrointestinal discomfort for cats. As a result, they have to pass this fur ball through their mouth or with their bowel.

In such cases, your cat will eat plants to reduce their discomfort to ease their bowel movement or induce throwing up. Either way, it is more comforting for cats and helps them relax from pain.

5. Liking the Taste

As humans, cats also have taste preferences for their food. They may simply enjoy the taste and texture of some leaves. Therefore, whenever they find a plant around them they start eating them.

While this may look cute, you need to make sure the plants are not toxic for your beloved pet. Some plants can make your cat sick and cause serious health problems. Therefore, you need to keep plants that are toxic to cats, out of the reach of your pet.

6. Attention to Scents of Chemicals

A unique trait of cats is they prefer smelly food. Cats even choose their diet based on how much they like the scent. So, if your house plant releases a scent that appeals to your cat, the animal will eat the leaves as much as it wants.

Different plants release different chemicals and scents, which vary significantly. Some compounds may be intriguing to your pet cat. If you don’t want your cat to destroy your plant, you can hang them on windows or get hanging plant shelves.

7. Teething or Oral Stimulation

Kittens get very irritable when they are teething. It can cause severe discomfort to their gums. Chewing can help with such discomfort and pain. Thus, your kitten may start eating plants to help with its teething.

Additionally, adult cats can get oral stimulation when chewing on leaves. It also cleans their teeth. If your cat is nibbling on plants due to this reason, a chewing toy can significantly help in this manner.

8. Territory Marking

Cats are very territorial animals. They mark their territory by spreading their scent and pheromone. If other animals step into their territory, they may act aggressively. It also helps them find their way back home.

As a way of marking their territory, cats often rub their cheeks on plants. The scent glands in their cheeks spread pheromones to help spread their scent. They may also chew the plants for the same reason.

9. Temperature Regulation

Many cat owners believe that cats chew on grass to regulate their body temperature. During the summer, most cats are seen hiding inside bushes and chewing grass. Thus, it has become a popular belief.

However, there is not enough scientific backup to this theory. As a result, this is not commonly cited as a reason for cats to chew plants. 

FAQs

Are Outdoor Plants Safe For Cats To Eat?

Not all outdoor plants are safe for cats. It's important for cat owners to be aware of toxic plants that can cause harm to their pets.

What Plants Are Safe and Most Dangerous For My Cat?

There are many plants that are safe for cats, such as catnip and wheatgrass. However, plants like lilies, azaleas, and oleander can be highly toxic to cats.

Should I Keep Plants In My House?

Having plants in the house can be beneficial for both humans and pets, but it's crucial to choose cat-safe plants and position them out of reach if necessary.

Are Spider Plants Toxic To Cats?

Spider plants are not toxic to cats, but they can cause mild digestive upset if consumed in large quantities.

Final Words

As per the above discussion, it is evident that chewing plants is a normal incident for cats. They will go and eat some plants when they have a digestion problem or because they like the taste. If the plants are safe for your cat, you don’t need to worry much about it.

If your plants are toxic for your cat, keep them somewhere they cannot reach. Also, keeping your cat busy and active can help with their plant chewing behavior. You can simply find the right balance between your plants and cats to make them coexist at the same time.