Why would feral cats eat (and then) vomit grass?

[FSogol]

Anyone know?

[leftyohiolib]

1. i dont know how anyone would KNOW but it's probably cause their tummies are upset and

they eat grass to induce vomiting hoping that will help settle their little tummies.

[FSogol]

3. Thanks. n/t

[CountAllVotes]

2. My late cats ate grass

And yes, they'd vomit not long after wards. I think they did it in order to induce vomiting in order to throw up things like hairballs, etc.

I never knew for certain and they sure weren't going to let me know why!

[FSogol]

4. Thanks. n/t

[TygrBright]

5. Same reason non-feral, domesticated cats eat it?

Our ornjboi loves his salad. Doesn't vomit, though. I'm assuming our regular regimen of hoovering him and providing small treats of hairball remedy keeps the hairball issue at bay.

In my experience all cats like to nom on a little salad from time to time. I'm assuming it's a trace element or other nutritional factor that they're seeking.

We keep a couple of small patches of wheatgrass growing in ornjboi's favorite window perches for him to nom on at will.

curiously,
Bright

[FSogol]

6. Thanks. Never really had cats before, but have been taking care of the

feral ones and abandoned pets that live in the woods behind my house.

[arcane1]

7. I give my indoor kitty wheatgrass from time to time

and that's pretty much what she does: eats it then throws it up a little while later. Kitties love to throw up, it seems.

[FSogol]

8. So, Kitties are the little frat boys of the wild. Who knew?

[arcane1]

9. LMAO!!

On the other hand, she finds some of my behavior to be rather incomprehensible

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

10. The same reason pet cats do.

Grazing in the Grass

The juices in grass contain folic acid, a vitamin essential to a cat’s well-being. Folic acid, also present in the mother cat’s milk, aids the production of oxygen in the cat’s bloodstream. A folic acid deficiency may lead to anemia, and a young cat’s growth can be stunted if she doesn’t get enough of it. Do cats instinctively know they’re deficient in folic acid and nibble grass to right the situation? Even experts can only guess. For a cat who never goes outdoors, folic acid supplements are available, to be added to your cat’s food. Your vet can advise whether your cat can benefit from these.

That Laxative Appeal

Since cats themselves can’t say, experts theorize that cats eat grass as a natural laxative. It may add fiber and bulk to their diet, helping them pass worms or fur through their intestinal tract. If broader-leafed varieties offer a laxative effect, thinner-leafed grass induces cats to vomit. But veterinarians stop short of declaring grass necessary. It may assist in clearing things out, but healthy cats are able to process and pass matter out without this help. Some experts believe cats eat grass to settle their stomachs, much as humans pop an antacid tablet. Others say cats simply like the texture and taste of grass, no matter what its properties do for their insides.

Heave-Ho

After munching away on grass, a short time later, cats inevitably upchuck those greens. Not because they’re gagging on the veggie flavor. It’s because cats’ systems do not have the correct enzymes to digest plant matter. By regurgitating grass, the cat also expels other indigestible items she may have eaten — which could include fur balls from grooming, or feathers and bones from any prey she has consumed. Clearing her digestive tract this way is healthy for the cat. It alleviates any feeling of discomfort, even if the process, and its end-products, may repulse her owner. So don’t punish your cat for upchucking!

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/why-do-cats-eat-grass.html#ixzz1tkIUldLO

[jrandom421]

11. In a single word

Hairballs, especially with our long hair kitties. Helps them get rid of them, from either end.