There’s an often overlooked element of a good cat diet.

This pot of kitty grass is a mixture of oat seeds that grows in our windowsill.

Cats love to munch on these, especially if freshly misted. As we can see, the mowing operation is well underway.

We have two pots in constant operation, since these grasses have a tendency to wither up in a few weeks. That’s because these are “non-fruiting” varieties which do not coarsen and develop seed heads. They don’t last long, but this means they stay tender and flavorful.

Mr. Bond loves monitoring their progress. He often asks us to come look at them, so we can say encouraging things about how well his little garden is growing.

He especially likes reassurance when the pot has been freshly planted, and is not yet showing shoots. We just tell him there is no reason why this pot won’t turn out as good as all the others.

For cats who live indoors, this fulfills a need, naturally. Even outdoor cats will prefer their own fresh, tender, and handy source of this vital cat food supplement. All cats prefer tender grasses, which are often not available. And this way, we know what they are eating.

I’ve found my cats enjoy “flossing” with the strands, which is just another reason to plant them in a place that gives the cats room to maneuver, and in a form that won’t get tipped over easily.

A good kitty grass pot should have some heft, even empty, and not be top heavy. A southern or western window will work well, but these plants don’t have to have a lot of sunlight to perform as needed.

The right seeds are crucial. The grass needs to have the correct growing cycle for tenderness, so don’t use conventional grass seed. The first time Mr WereBear took over the kitty grass ritual, Mr. Bond was openly skeptical, and noted that we had picked up different seeds at our local hardware store. These seeds wound up growing to over six feet in length, and were too coarse for maximum appeal. But it did make Mr. Bond give an A for effort. Wow! Not so tasty, but very dramatic. You are the Man!

Use a potting soil designed for such use, to keep it from compacting in the pot and interfering with root growth, which is where the plants draw their nutrients from. A good root system can stand up to the chewing and tugging that is going to take place, so plant the seeds with a half inch of soil on top.

We can also “compost in place” to keep our potting soil healthy. When planting a new set, mix up the dried plant remains with the existing soil and our latest batch of coffee grounds or tea dregs. We don’t have to fertilize with stinky or possibly toxic elements when we can keep our soil continually working for us, without a lot of fuss or expense.

We have a board laid over the radiator by the windowsill, but if you have the room, flats are also a good way to grow kitty grass. This is a nice kit from Wheatgrasskits.com. You get five pounds of wheatgrass seed, five trays, soil, and instructions. A great way to get started!

Planting and nurturing the kitty grass is a fun activity the cat will enjoy supervising and observing with us. It can serve as a nice focal point for the cat to draw our attention to, and when we perform the minimal maintenance (planting, and occasional watering,) it requires, it shows the cat how much we care.

Because it is important to them.

As always, cats don’t mean to be trouble when they eat our houseplants and throw up on our carpet. They are just doing the best they can. So try out some kitty grass, and you’ll be amazed at how much it brightens up not just that windowsill, but the cat’s behavior as well.

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