'Why Cats Eat Plants Survey'

Annie (196.40.43.228) -

Cat Plant Eating Survey - The Veterinary Behavior Service at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is currently conducting a study investigating why dogs and cats eat plants (grass, flowers, leaves, twigs, etc.). Although many theories have been proposed, this is the first study to scientifically investigate the age-old question "Why do dogs and cats eat grass?" The more information we gather, the better we will understand this behavior. You can help by submitting data. Please complete this survey

• http://intercom.virginia.edu/SurveySuite/Surveys/PlantCat/

Comment #1 Jose (201.221.2.79) -

No survey needed. Cats eat plants because they like to!

Comment #2 Jane (63.176.159.46) -

The truth is that cats are an achient Artificial Intelligence experience gone bad.

Comment #3 Lisa (64.76.37.196) -

I think the survey is an excellent idea and everyone should participate. It can only make our animal and plant kingdoms better.

Comment #4 Elsie (152.163.40.180) -

What about plants that eat cats?

Comment #5 Mary (64.76.36.108) -

Cats eat plants because they like to.

Comment #6 Erich & Ang (24.152.160.158) -

My cat loves to eat flowers and plants. I wish I could stop her

Comment #7 Liz (152.163.34.210) -

Cats eat plants because they are yummy. Did you know a vegitarian that wasn't sexy?

Comment #8 MissG (64.136.27.228) -

Well, I thought cats ate plants because it either settled their stomach or made them throw up whatever it was that was bothering them. Of course, we all know about catnip...

Comment #9 KateyBate (66.227.233.47) -

Cats eat grass and plants to put fiber in their diet and cause bowel movements. I mean, that's what I always thought. That's why birds eat stones too I think.

Comment #10 MissyG (64.136.27.228) -

Well, eating grass always precludes throwing up in my cats. I think they are using it as an emetic.

Birds eat stones because they have a gizard and the stones actually grind up the grain or whatever they eat. They don't have teeth to do it for them.

Comment #11 shabs (220.226.28.9) -

I think this survey is a great thing to know the reason. I have always wondered why my cats chew on the grass. And I have noticed that my cats eat a particular kind of grass mostly.

Comment #12 endora (24.45.126.104) -

I always heard it was to help with digestion. I dont know how true that is but a few other people heard the same thing so im going to stick with it. I would like to know if we could give the cat something or have a food that could help them instead of worrying about my plants lol.

Comment #13 kabir from around the globe (Contact Member) -

Cats eat plants when there stomach is not well.............

They go on eating it and then vommit to bring out the harmfull material from thier bodies.........

These are some words from my grandmother

:)

Comment #14 Courtney (1) from The South (Contact Member) -

Cats eat plants because they are weird. Maybe they like the taste or it helps to make them smarter. You know cats are smarter than dogs!

Comment #15 Mara (70.54.68.14) -

My cat eats plants to get my attention. Once she has my attention and I go to stop her from eating the plant, she quickly runs to her food bowl. I don't think she eats the plants when I am not at home.

Comment #16 BadGRRL from the pound (Contact Member) -

Cats eat plants for all sorts of reasons depending on the plant. Grass usually causes them to vomit thus ridding themselves of something that bothers their stomach. Other plants will settle their stomachs. Some they just like to play with and find that they like the taste. And, because they are cats, sometimes they eat the ones you like to get your attention. You need to be careful however because some plants like Diffenbacchia are poisonous to them. There is a great spray called YUCK! which bills itself as the "foulest tasting stuff on earth". It has cayenne, caspsacin and sour apple among other natural ingredients and it is FOUL. But it'll stop them from eating your plants. Just make sure you don't breathe through your mouth when spraying it on your plants...

Comment #17 najdoyza from the mountains (Contact Member) -

Cats are cats and they do what they want because they can. Doing a study is silly, because they'll be spending a lot of money and the cats can't talk to them to tell then why. And even if they could - they probably wouldn't anyway because they are cats...lol

Comment #18 snowy from Wisconsin (Contact Member) -

I have to agree with MissG, I thought they did that to settle their stomachs. Every time my cat or dog eat grass, I find it on my livingroom floor a few minutes later!

Comment #19 Cathy dolliver (151.203.36.219) -

I always thought cats ate plants to settle their stomachs. I am finding out now (with my current cat) that he loves eating certain types of grass. And, it isn't for medicinal reasons. There is a cat grass on the market that you can buy at pet stores. You water it just like a plant and the grass grows and you allow your cat to eat it. I've tried this but cats being cats, my cat won't eat it. He likes the outdoor stuff. I think he is part Wabbit!! Cats like Grass (at least mine does!) and I believe it is still a cure for stomach ailments when need be.

Comment #20 AJ (68.219.251.156) -

alright some option that cats or dogs eat grass is because they have either a bad stomache ache. When they eat grass, their stomache reacts to the nutrients of the grass, and they throw up. NO more tummy ache. Also another reason is Cat Nip, some studies have brought out that Cat Nip is very addictive, and for all of you who do not know what Cat Nip is, it's basically a grass that makes cats stoned. So they might think of other grass, Cat Nip. I hope I helped for you retards, snootchie pootchie.

Comment #21 Jill from the Hill (69.47.0.186) -

Hi, I agree with many of the others that cats eat plants when their stomachs are upset. I noticed one of my cats in particular that goes nuts when I water my plants (diluted solution of plant food). He tries to climb in them to get the water. Soooo, I put a drop of plant food in his water bowl and he went nuts. Now I do that every once in awhile and he leaves the plants alone. Whatever is in that plant food is what he needs in his system. It does not necesarily seem to go along with an upset stomach and doesn't seem to hurt him. He just wants it or maybe it keeps the upset from happening.

Comment #22 meo (68.231.183.48) -

I have a Siamese cat. I dont know why he loves eating bamboo leaf or grass. Weeks ago, he even ate the shoelace of my one-year old nephew! The lace did come out in his feces but he suffered a serious stomach disorder. He kept vomiting for about 1 week and his stomach could not take any food in...):

Comment #23 Donna Smith (24.236.215.253) -

I would like to know if a peace plant will make my cat sick if he eats it. We received one honoring the death of our son and would like to keep it, but not if it will make our cat sick. He eats everything...fake flowers, real flowers and plants.

Comment #24 Cloe (63.176.159.238) -

Plant eating may have some survival benefit to cats and thus be genetic. The purpose of the activity is thought to be to supply dietary fiber, which may or may not assist with certain digestive processes. Dietary fiber is obtained when cats eat the intestinal contents of small prey animals.

How To Stop Plant Eating

# Put plants away or house them in cat-proof places

# Provide cat grass to redirect the behavior appropriately

# Add mothballs to the plant's soil

# Spray the plant with an aversive spray (e.g. Citrus MagicŪ)

# Punitive measures (water pistol, air horn)

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