Re: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?

2011-07-10 Thread Beth
Be careful. They can get parasites from some bugs such as moths

molvey...@hotmail.com molvey...@hotmail.com wrote:

My cats will eat bugs after they are done chasing and torturing them.  I 
assumed it was because their instinct tells them to devour their prey.  It's 
disgusting.  I have to turn away.

sent from my ATT Smartphone by HTC

- Reply message -
From: dlgegg dlg...@windstream.net
Date: Sat, Jul 9, 2011 3:33 pm
Subject: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org

On the lighter side, I have seen them eat grasshppers and crickets.  That I 
don't see much reason for.  They get their protein from their food and it 
doesn't have scratchy legs to deal with.


 Natalie at...@optonline.net wrote: 
  
 
 Why Do Cats Eat Grass? 
 
 
 By Kathy Blumenstock, Animal Planet
 
 How often have you seen your cat happily chewing on blades of fresh green
 grass, and wondered why? You dish up the choicest cat food and offer gourmet
 treats, yet given the chance, Kitty chows down on the lawn as if she's a
 snacking racehorse. But there's little need to fret over the appeal of the
 feline salad bar, even when she throws it all up.
 
 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!
 
 Healthy Habit or Dangerous Delicacy?
 
 While eating grass may seem unappealing to you, many cats love it and it's
 not generally harmful to them. They rarely eat more than occasional small
 amounts, but if yours eats it daily or in large amounts, that could indicate
 intestinal distress that should be addressed by your vet. If your cat is an
 indoor-outdoor pet, supervise her grazing when you take her outside. Keep
 her away from grass or plants that have been chemically treated and always
 use pet-friendly lawn treatment or fertilizers. If your cat is outside most
 of the time, she could ingest toxic, pesticide-tainted grass - another good
 reason to keep your cat indoors
 http://www.care2.com/greenliving/bringing-an-outdoor-cat-inside.html .
 

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Re: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?

2011-07-10 Thread dlgegg
Yes, and crickets also.  Annie killed one and this long worm thing crawled out 
of it's body.  I took it to the vet and he said it was a wire worm.  Disgusting 
looking thing, course most parisites are.  I try to feed them just before they 
go out and it seems to cut down on the desire to eat their prey.  I don't 
know about lizards and frogs.  We chase them too.  Not a lizard on our property 
that still has a tail.


 Beth create_me_...@yahoo.com wrote: 
 Be careful. They can get parasites from some bugs such as moths
 
 molvey...@hotmail.com molvey...@hotmail.com wrote:
 
 My cats will eat bugs after they are done chasing and torturing them.  I 
 assumed it was because their instinct tells them to devour their prey.  It's 
 disgusting.  I have to turn away.
 
 sent from my ATT Smartphone by HTC
 
 - Reply message -
 From: dlgegg dlg...@windstream.net
 Date: Sat, Jul 9, 2011 3:33 pm
 Subject: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?
 To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
 
 On the lighter side, I have seen them eat grasshppers and crickets.  That I 
 don't see much reason for.  They get their protein from their food and it 
 doesn't have scratchy legs to deal with.
 
 
  Natalie at...@optonline.net wrote: 
 
  
  Why Do Cats Eat Grass? 
  
  
  By Kathy Blumenstock, Animal Planet
  
  How often have you seen your cat happily chewing on blades of fresh green
  grass, and wondered why? You dish up the choicest cat food and offer 
  gourmet
  treats, yet given the chance, Kitty chows down on the lawn as if she's a
  snacking racehorse. But there's little need to fret over the appeal of the
  feline salad bar, even when she throws it all up.
  
  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!
  
  Healthy Habit or Dangerous Delicacy?
  
  While eating grass may seem unappealing to you, many cats love it and it's
  not generally harmful to them. They rarely eat more than occasional small
  amounts, but if yours eats it daily or in large amounts, that could 
  indicate
  intestinal distress that should be addressed by your vet. If your cat is an
  indoor-outdoor pet, supervise her grazing when you take her outside. Keep
  her away from grass or plants that have been chemically treated and always
  use pet-friendly lawn treatment or fertilizers. If your cat is outside most
  of the time, she could ingest toxic, pesticide-tainted grass - another good
  reason to keep your cat indoors
  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/bringing-an-outdoor-cat-inside.html .
  
 
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 Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
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Re: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?

2011-07-10 Thread molveywda
LOL - I can just see all the poor lizards running around without tails.

Geez, didn't know they could get parasites from moths or crickets.  Dang.  
Beth, what can they get from moths?

sent from my ATT Smartphone by HTC

- Reply message -
From: dlgegg dlg...@windstream.net
Date: Sun, Jul 10, 2011 11:44 pm
Subject: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org

Yes, and crickets also.  Annie killed one and this long worm thing crawled out 
of it's body.  I took it to the vet and he said it was a wire worm.  Disgusting 
looking thing, course most parisites are.  I try to feed them just before they 
go out and it seems to cut down on the desire to eat their prey.  I don't 
know about lizards and frogs.  We chase them too.  Not a lizard on our property 
that still has a tail.


 Beth create_me_...@yahoo.com wrote: 
 Be careful. They can get parasites from some bugs such as moths
 
 molvey...@hotmail.com molvey...@hotmail.com wrote:
 
 My cats will eat bugs after they are done chasing and torturing them.  I 
 assumed it was because their instinct tells them to devour their prey.  It's 
 disgusting.  I have to turn away.
 
 sent from my ATT Smartphone by HTC
 
 - Reply message -
 From: dlgegg dlg...@windstream.net
 Date: Sat, Jul 9, 2011 3:33 pm
 Subject: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?
 To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
 
 On the lighter side, I have seen them eat grasshppers and crickets.  That I 
 don't see much reason for.  They get their protein from their food and it 
 doesn't have scratchy legs to deal with.
 
 
  Natalie at...@optonline.net wrote: 
 
  
  Why Do Cats Eat Grass? 
  
  
  By Kathy Blumenstock, Animal Planet
  
  How often have you seen your cat happily chewing on blades of fresh green
  grass, and wondered why? You dish up the choicest cat food and offer 
  gourmet
  treats, yet given the chance, Kitty chows down on the lawn as if she's a
  snacking racehorse. But there's little need to fret over the appeal of the
  feline salad bar, even when she throws it all up.
  
  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

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Re: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?

2011-07-09 Thread dlgegg
On the lighter side, I have seen them eat grasshppers and crickets.  That I 
don't see much reason for.  They get their protein from their food and it 
doesn't have scratchy legs to deal with.


 Natalie at...@optonline.net wrote: 
   
 
 Why Do Cats Eat Grass? 
 
 
 By Kathy Blumenstock, Animal Planet
 
 How often have you seen your cat happily chewing on blades of fresh green
 grass, and wondered why? You dish up the choicest cat food and offer gourmet
 treats, yet given the chance, Kitty chows down on the lawn as if she's a
 snacking racehorse. But there's little need to fret over the appeal of the
 feline salad bar, even when she throws it all up.
 
 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!
 
 Healthy Habit or Dangerous Delicacy?
 
 While eating grass may seem unappealing to you, many cats love it and it's
 not generally harmful to them. They rarely eat more than occasional small
 amounts, but if yours eats it daily or in large amounts, that could indicate
 intestinal distress that should be addressed by your vet. If your cat is an
 indoor-outdoor pet, supervise her grazing when you take her outside. Keep
 her away from grass or plants that have been chemically treated and always
 use pet-friendly lawn treatment or fertilizers. If your cat is outside most
 of the time, she could ingest toxic, pesticide-tainted grass - another good
 reason to keep your cat indoors
 http://www.care2.com/greenliving/bringing-an-outdoor-cat-inside.html .
 
 Growing your Own
 
 If your cat seems to enjoy the taste and texture of grass, give her a small
 grazing area of her own in your home. So-called feline herbs or
 greens-usually wheat
 http://www.care2.com/greenliving/wheat-grass-decorative-kitty-treat.html
 or oat grass - come pre-packaged at pet supply stores, as seeds or in
 pre-spouted form. Cats generally prefer this to regular grass and you can be
 sure it hasn't been treated. Fresh catnip is also easy to grow, and
 obviously gets cats' approval and attention. Set Kitty's private planter in
 a favorite spot that's easily accessible. You'll know she's enjoying fresh,
 safe greens. You'll also know when she's consumed them, thanks to the sound
 of feline retching that follows.
 
  
 
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 Felvtalk@felineleukemia.org
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Re: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?

2011-07-09 Thread molveywda
My cats will eat bugs after they are done chasing and torturing them.  I 
assumed it was because their instinct tells them to devour their prey.  It's 
disgusting.  I have to turn away.

sent from my ATT Smartphone by HTC

- Reply message -
From: dlgegg dlg...@windstream.net
Date: Sat, Jul 9, 2011 3:33 pm
Subject: [Felvtalk] Why do cats eat grass?
To: felvtalk@felineleukemia.org

On the lighter side, I have seen them eat grasshppers and crickets.  That I 
don't see much reason for.  They get their protein from their food and it 
doesn't have scratchy legs to deal with.


 Natalie at...@optonline.net wrote: 
   
 
 Why Do Cats Eat Grass? 
 
 
 By Kathy Blumenstock, Animal Planet
 
 How often have you seen your cat happily chewing on blades of fresh green
 grass, and wondered why? You dish up the choicest cat food and offer gourmet
 treats, yet given the chance, Kitty chows down on the lawn as if she's a
 snacking racehorse. But there's little need to fret over the appeal of the
 feline salad bar, even when she throws it all up.
 
 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!
 
 Healthy Habit or Dangerous Delicacy?
 
 While eating grass may seem unappealing to you, many cats love it and it's
 not generally harmful to them. They rarely eat more than occasional small
 amounts, but if yours eats it daily or in large amounts, that could indicate
 intestinal distress that should be addressed by your vet. If your cat is an
 indoor-outdoor pet, supervise her grazing when you take her outside. Keep
 her away from grass or plants that have been chemically treated and always
 use pet-friendly lawn treatment or fertilizers. If your cat is outside most
 of the time, she could ingest toxic, pesticide-tainted grass - another good
 reason to keep your cat indoors
 http://www.care2.com/greenliving/bringing-an-outdoor-cat-inside.html .
 

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