7 Best Cat Grass Varieties For Growing At Home

Cat grass has a number of undeniable benefits, such as making sure that your pet digests her food properly or supplying an additional amount of vitamins and minerals. 

Additionally, cat grass makes a great form of fibre and it is good for oral health since, due to its texture, it manages to clean some of the plaque that might have built up on your pet’s teeth. 

All of the products listed below have acquired a lot of critical acclaim as the seeds sprout fast, and most cats seem to love nibbling on these types of grass. 

1. Catit Senses Grass Planter Kit

This brand manufactures heaps of accessories for cats, and they range from slow feeders to scratchers, circuits, and fun gadgets, all of which are aimed at entertaining your pet even when you aren’t at home. 

The kit includes the planter and the seeds, and based on the reviews acquired by this option, the grass seems to grow quite fast. 

In fact, some pet owners note that this is the only grass planter they’ve been using for the past four years simply because it’s so convenient and effective and works for several different pets. 

For the best results, you should place the container on a windowsill so that it gets exposed to some natural light during the day. 

Water it copiously during the first 4-5 days and then lightly spray it once the seeds have sprouted. 

Pros:

• Very easy to grow
• The kit includes everything you need
• The plants survive for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks
• It helps keep your cat’s digestion in perfect shape

Cons:

• It is a bit more expensive than other options out there

2. Cat Grass 4-Pack by Cat FurNature.co.uk

If you have been looking for a more budget-friendly choice, this pack by CatFurNature.co.uk might be up your alley. 

It comes with four separate planters that already contain the seeds, so that’s one less thing to worry about. 

The kit is accompanied by a set of instructions that accurately explain how you are supposed to care for the plants and water them so that you make the most of them. 

Additionally, the potting soil is also included in the kit, and it already contains fertiliser, so there’s no need for you to add any other type. 

On the same note, we’d like to add that only human-safe fertiliser is safe to use in growing substrates, so do not use the one you’d add to your decorative plants. 

This grass is suitable for other pets, too, so it also works for dogs and rabbits, for example.

Pros:

• Instructions are quite easy to follow
• The grass sprouts in 5-6 days maximum
• The four pots make for a cat grass supply that lasts for at least several months
• It’s perfectly safe for all animal species

Cons:

• The containers are very light, so while cats try to nibble on the grass, they can pick up the whole thing. Some customers have moved the plastic container into ceramic pots for this reason. 

3. CatFurNature.co.uk Grass Kit & Extra Strong Catnip

This is basically the same product as the one that we have previously described with the difference that instead of four planters, you get just three, but also a packet of catnip. 

We decided to include this option in our selection as some cats might be catnip aficionados. Not all are, but some of them go crazy for the stuff, so you might have to buy it regularly. 

The instructions for the cat grass itself are quite clear and easy to follow, making the task of growing it effortless and convenient. 

All of the kits are manufactured and packaged in the United Kingdom, which should give you a clue as to whether the seeds are going to sprout or not. 

The dried catnip can be used in its original form, meaning sprinkled on the cat grass or your cat’s favourite spots throughout the house or you can add it to the inside of your cat’s catnip toys (these days, most come with zippers for this reason). 

Pros:

• Perfect for pets that love catnip
• Very easy to grow
• The seeds sprout fast and become strong and healthy shoots
• Safe for all cats, regardless of their age or health status

Cons:

• This species should not be planted outdoors unless you want it to affect your other plants — it tends to spread like wildfire. 

4. Vitakraft Cat Grass Seed Kit

Vitakraft is a brand widely known among cat owners as the company makes a wide variety of vitamins and minerals and accessories, too. 

This 6-pack seed offer allows you to have cat grass for at least several months, during which your pet’s digestion will work perfectly. 

As a person that has actually used this cat grass for her cat before, I can attest that it sprouts in four to five days and that it is quite resilient. 

The shoots are succulent and thick enough to entice your cat to want to nibble on them to the point that you might have to physically separate the both so that the plants manage to grow some more. 

Best of all, the seeds are wheat grass, which means that if you have too many shoots coming out of the ground, you can add them to your smoothies, too, for an extra amount of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. 

Pros:

• Very easy to follow instructions
• It takes just a couple of days for the grass to sprout
• The 6-pack can provide you with cat grass for a number of months
• The growing medium holds enough water

Cons:

• Some customers report that the growing substrate has a pungent smell, so you might have to keep it on your balcony (it tends to smell like manure).

5. Trixie Grass for Cats

Trixie is a German manufacturer of pet toys, brushes, and other accessories, including snacks such as dried fish for cats and other species. 

This grass is ideal for kittens, adults, and seniors, and it is rich in vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, and fibre.

Like some of the other options that we have described here, this one seems to be beneficial for your cat’s digestion. 

As for the species itself, it is rye grass, so it sprouts in around four to five days.

Once it’s grown, it tends to last for more time compared to other species such as oat or barley grass. When it reaches a height of 4-5 cm, you can give it to your cat. 

Pros:

• Very thick and fast growth
• Easy to follow instructions
• It can be given to other species, too, including guinea pigs
• It comes with everything you might need

Cons:

• In the absence of natural sunlight, it might take a week for it to sprout. 

6. Bulbs and Seeds Direct Cat Grass

This packet of cat grass seeds is very affordable, and if you already have a container left from one of your previous purchases, it should be right up your alley. 

The grass seed mix sprouts in as little as four to five days, especially in the summer and if you place the container on a windowsill.

You do have to water it copiously in the first several days, though, and once you start seeing the first sprouts, simply spray water on them twice a day. 

The amount of fibre contained by this cat grass will improve your cat’s digestion, particularly if she has been experiencing issues such as hairballs or constipation.

Just to give you a clue as to whether this option works or not, we’ll say that over 90% of those that have bought it have reviewed it favourably. 

Pros:

• Perfect for people who already have a container and potting mix
• Quite affordable 
• The grass sprouts fast, and the shoots are strong and resilient
• It tends to last for at least several weeks

Cons:

• Some cats don’t prefer this exact species but others love to nibble on it every morning. 

7. GimCat Hydro-Grass 

What makes this product stand out from the crowd is that the growing substrate is completely dehydrated. 

This means that unlike with other choices, you have to first pour some lukewarm water into the container in order for the soil and seeds to ‘come back to life’.

The container should be placed next to a window so that it gets at least some natural light. 

During the colder months of the year, you should place a piece of cardboard underneath the kit to prevent it from coming in contact with any cold surface such as tile or marble. 

Doing so can prevent the growing substrate from developing mould. 

As for how long it takes for the seeds to sprout, it varies depending on the climate of the environment they are kept in. They seem to be slower growing than other varieties as it can take them 5-8 days to sprout. 

Pros:

• Very budget-friendly
• The kit comes with everything you need for growing your own cat grass
• Most cats seem to favour this type of grass
• The plants remain active for several weeks

Cons:

• The substrate contains some sort of gel that can have a weird smell, especially when watering it. 

Different types of cat grass

The three species of grass that your cat can safely nibble on are the following:

• Wheatgrass
• Barley grass
• Rye grass

The vast majority of cat grasses that are commercially available these days come with a combination of these three. Sometimes, one of the ingredients might be oat grass, and it is safe, too. 

Every type is different in its own way. For instance, rye grass is durable and also tends to grow fast, which means you are not going to have to buy seeds too frequently. 

Barley grass also grows fast and quite high, so it makes the perfect choice for cats that love to chew on a lot of grass every day. 

Wheat grass has most of the same advantages, but you can also add it to your smoothies since it is also healthy for humans, not just cats. 

Not only do these species differ in terms of looks, but they also take a different amount of time to mature. For example, spelt wheat grass takes more time, sometimes up to twelve days to grow completely. 

On the other hand, both barley and oat grass sprout in just four to five days and are fully grown within eight to ten days. 

While spelt wheat grass tends to last the most, barley grass has medium longevity, and oat grass tends to last the shortest amount of time. 

Choosing the right grass kit

As you might have noticed from our product selection, there are several different kinds of cat grass kits you can purchase today. 

Self-grow ones are the easiest to work with as all you have to do is add water and wait for the grass to show up. 

There’s also the option of you getting a planting kit — which comes with a container, the seeds, and the soil, and sometimes even a small packet of compost.

You can get seeds separately if you already have the soil and container from another batch that you bought in the past. 

Manufacturers often try to make their products more appealing by including accessories such as toys or catnip, but this can be a hit or miss for some cat parents — since not all cats react to catnip or even valerian. 

Compostable kits are another choice, and in their case, even the container is eco-friendly and biodegradable. 

The downside is that you aren’t going to be able to use it time and again, but you are not going to create any plastic waste. 

What to look for in commercial cat grass seeds

Species

Telling what type of grass you are buying for your pet can be a little challenging, particularly if you want to order it online. 

Most product descriptions — no matter the online marketplace you use — aren’t very generous in terms of the info they include. 

However, the labels of all cat grasses typically come with the species written on them, so you can pick the best based on your pet’s preferences and the grass longevity, too. 

Any extras?

Some products are accompanied by toys, catnip, labels, or visually appealing growing pots (that you might be able to use for your other plants later on). 

If you want to feel like you’re giving your cat a present, perhaps one of these kits might be a good option for you. 

Container or seeds

Most grass kits that include the container come with the seeds pre-located in the soil. 

This makes the task of growing the grass effortless since all you have to do is add water for the seeds to sprout in a matter of several days. 

Seed packets have a minor disadvantage, which means that you’d have to own the container, some gardening soil, and maybe a little compost. 

Moreover, you need to make sure that you do not place the seeds too deep in the ground as they aren’t going to be able to sprout. 

Growing substrate

Your life is made a lot easier with the kits that also include the growing substrate — but it can differ in terms of nutrition. 

It typically comes dehydrated, so you’ll have to vigorously water it for a couple of days and then switch to spraying the sprouts lightly once they begin coming out of the dirt. 

As for whether the growing substrate can provide the plants with adequate nutrition, you probably have nothing to worry about as most include peat fertiliser or perlite. 

Drainage

The container has to be equipped with at least several holes at the bottom. 

Otherwise, the water will remain in the ground, so both the soil and the seeds might be affected by mould — which you definitely do not want your cat to ingest. 

Tips for growing indoor grass

You do not need any complicated equipment to grow your own cat grass at home — you just need a container, some potting soil, the seeds, and a bit of fertiliser. 

But the most important piece of advice we have for you is that during the first few days after you have planted the seeds, they need to be kept in a safe spot.

Cats that are switched from an outdoor type of living to an indoor-only lifestyle will often prefer potting soil instead of litter for ‘going to the bathroom’.

If your cat accidentally pees in the container where you’ve planted the grass seeds, they might not grow at all as your pet’s urine is acidic and capable of killing a lot of plants.

The cat grass needs to be watered lightly every day. If you intend on leaving on a trip and you hire a cat sitter, make sure you also tell them to water your plants — otherwise, you’ll have to get another cat grass growing kit when you come back home. 

Why do cats eat grass anyway?

While some argue that cats like eating grass to make sure they supply their diet with a bit more nutrients than what they’d get from the protein they need, the truth is that they can just as well live without it.

A more likely theory is that cats try to regulate their digestion by eating grass. Cat grass contains fibre that can regulate the animal’s gut transit.

Indoor-only cats can sometimes suffer from constipation, especially if they are older. Making sure your pet eats grass once every several days can result in regular stools.

Cats that like leafy greens are more likely to get into your houseplants. If you didn’t know, many houseplants are, in fact, toxic to cats, and some species, such as the Tiger Lily, can cause kidney failure with just one bite. 

In other words, planting cat grass means having control over what your cat nibbles and preventing an emergency visit to the vet clinic. 

Here are some other houseplants that you should never have in your home if you are a cat parent:

• Daffodils
• Lily of the Valley
• Sago palm
• Tulips
• Hyacinths
• Azaleas
• Kalanchoe 
• Cyclamen 

Conclusion

Cat grass can freshen your pet’s breath, add some fibre to her diet, and also supply her with several vitamins and minerals. 

Cats that regularly nibble on grass also have fewer issues with hairballs, and they are less likely to take a bite out of your houseplants. 

Our top pick is the Catit Senses Grass Planter Kit, as it comes with everything you need from the pot to the seeds and vermiculite.

If you take good care of it, the grass can last for up to two months or more, unlike other products out there. Plus, the seeds don’t even take too long to sprout — just about four days.