How to Grow Cat Grass

Cat grass is something my cats LOVE. It's a special treat for them - we try to keep it around most of the time. It keeps them entertained and happy. :D

Plus, it's super cheap and easy to grow! It'll take about a week to get it to a good height, but after that, it's a grass eating free-for-all.

More cat pictures on the last step - Big Dee and Luna spent forever grazing when I set it out, and I took waaaaaay too many photos :D

Step 1: What You Need:

• a small pot to grow in
• organic potting soil
• cat grass seeds
• plastic wrap
• water

I say organic potting soil because your kitties are going to be eating this and probably digging around in it when you're not looking. Avoid potting soils with lots of fertilizer in them - the cat grass doesn't need it anyway since it won't last long. :)

Cat grass can be many different types of seed, but it's typically oats or wheat. You should be able to find it in your local pet store pretty easily! And the good news is the seed lasts forever. The seed I'm using for this is some that was given to me 5-6 years ago by a friend for babysitting her cat. :D

Step 2: Planting

Fill your pot with soil, stopping 1-2 inches from the top. Scatter a handful of cat grass seed over the top of this - I like to do one thin, even layer.

Then add a couple of handfuls of soil over the top so the seeds are covered with about 1/4 inch of soil.

Step 3: Water and Cover

Water the seeds with 1/2 cup of water or so - you want the soil to be nice and moist.

Once that's done, cover the pot with plastic wrap (not too tightly - you still want a little airflow!) and set in a warm and dark location - I keep mine on top of the fridge!

Step 4: The Waiting Game

The second or third day you should see little sprouts coming up from the soil. Check that the soil is still moist every other day or so.

As soon as the grass gets to the size in the second photo, take off the plastic wrap and keep in a nice sunny place. I set mine on the back porch so the kitties would not be temped to eat it yet!

When your grass is 4-6 inches, feel free to let them have a go at it! It normally takes about a week to get to this size.

If you don't wait until the grass is high enough, chances are your cat with destroy is really quickly. :D

Step 5: Bonus Cat Photos

As the resident cat lady I feel it is my duty.

Big Dee likes to put her whole face in the grass. Luna always looks like a crazed murderer when she eats it.

Comments

[Cigarelo101]

Ohh, I like this but I got a 🐕

[lucyrenee2012]

My dogs love it too!

[sarahb1012]

Thank you for the clear instructions! I found this after a search because I have encountered a problem after planting cat grass before I saw this and I’d like to know if you have helpful suggestions. I apologize for the wordiness…
My cat LOVES cat grass so much. The first planting was a great success. After a while, I needed to plant more so I did the same thing over again. The growth was not as thick but my question is what to do to keep the cat from digging up the soil? Twice my cat has pulled soil out of the pot & spread it all over the floor around. Many suggestions to keep a cat from digging up soil from a potted plant involve keeping the cat away from the plant, but that’s not helpful because this plant is FOR the cat. Was the Saran Wrap you mentioned intended to protect the soil? Would bird netting or chicken wire be good to use? I know my cat is unique, but please tell me if you have any experience with a cat digging up a plant. Thank you!

[jessyratfink]

Chicken wire or some sort of netting placed over the opening of the container is definitely a good solution! That's probably the only way you can allow the grass to grow freely but stop the cat from digging.

The only other way I've kept cats out of soil is to insert plastic forks into the soil with the tines up, but I'd say that's a lot less helpful than wire or netting! Plus some cats will just pull the forks out of the soil and dig anyway haha

The saran wrap is really just to turn the pot into a mini greenhouse and speed up the growing. :)

[CathleenK2]

Thanks! These are the best instructions I've seen yet. I'll be heading out for some potting soil in the morning and Hollywollydoodle will be happy in 10 days or so. She loves wheatgrass!

[ostapiejdaniel491]

Is cat grass good for tortoises?

[jessyratfink]

I'm sure it is! Could always grow it as part of their habitat and see if they enjoy it :)

[alexandraosche84]

So I planned my drs indoors and may have forgot about them being in the dark room for a few days liberty. Here's s pic of what was what my grass looked like. It's yellow n crazy long is this going to be on to feed my cat still l or did i mess up and need to start over again? It's between 8-12 inches long and I know it's been no more than a week since I planned it with these seeds indoors.

[jessyratfink]

Oh wow! I've never seen it turn out like that. I'd let your cat smell it to see if they're interested in it. Chances are the color is from too much water and heat and not enough light - not dangerous, but might not be appealing to them. :)

[Miksroc269]

How do I get it to be as full as your pictures? I have no problem getting it to grow but it is not as full and thick?

[jessyratfink]

Make sure you have a layer of seeds that nearly covers the soil and don't cover them with too much soil, that's really all I do!

If you're already doing that and it doesn't seem like the seeds are sprouting, I recommend trying it in a warmer spot first. If that doesn't work, try new seeds!

[wellskirsten2006]

I bought some pretty pricey pre grown organic cat grass for my indoor cats. A change from treats! My Pierre was hooked but mommy can't afford riding lawnmower appetite soooo... I went homegrown. I' mnow on soil again, found a whole new set of ideas & trying again! Cause I love him that much!♥️♥️ One of the 1st articles I read when I got mysupplies & gave it the first several tries actually said "SO EASY a 2 YEAR OLD CAN DO IT" Well im 50. Lol. So if you have a 2 year old handy... Let 'em help if your having cat grass issues! 😊. Im using the instructions I found here to the letter. Let y'all know how it goes!

[shahnaz.aziz991]

I bought catit grass did everything as per instruction. No luck on my grass. I just see sprouts but I don't see grass growing.Its been almost more then 12 days. Is their any way to fix it or should i throw it. I'm confused.

[eliseetz]

Hi jessyratfink, I have a quick question for you… Can these seedss just be bought at a health food store? can we buy oat groats or wheat berries and do the same thing? Because something tells me that special “cat grass seeds” might be more expensive at the pet store?

[possumpunk]

I bought cat grass seeds for $1.89, the same price as the basil and onions and peas I bought at Walmart.

[zenyrgarden]

This is so much fun! :) Gotta find some cat grass seeds first though.

[shadenthings]

Pet grass seed is important, we tried wheat seed , it was to harsh for our cat .
we then tried certified organic oats seed which was a lot better until we ran out of seed and couldn't find any that time year but we came across Lucy's Cat grass, Buck Oats
is more expensive than the organic oats and wheat they offer , My cats cats now turn up their noses at any thing else , but my darlings are worth it

[LilyP19]

Ebay has sellers who sell oat seed just for cat grass.Not too expensive,either

[DL Sutter]

I bought Wheat Grass already grown, in the produce area...Bill won't even look at it until it turns brown, and then he flings dirt and all everywhere! I know he likes greens because my plants get chewed. Will try oat grass.

[Nidy__]

if a couple little cotton-like balls (mold maybe?) start appearing before the sprouts have reached the height on the second pic, should I take off the wrap - maybe I overwatered ?