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Most of us believe grass seeds are pretty inoffensive. What kind of problem could grass seeds cause? They grow grass and make the yard or land pretty during the spring and summer. Of course, grass seeds may cling to your clothing after a hike! But what happens if a cat eats grass seeds? Can grass seeds make a cat sick?
Has your cat eaten grass seeds? Are you worried that grass seeds could make your cat sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your cat eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about grass seed and whether it can make a cat sick. Let’s get started!
What is Grass Seed?
Grass seeds are the seeds that grow grass. Like other plants, grass pollinates to form seeds. Pollination may be done by passing hikers, animals, birds, bugs, and more. These methods carry pollen from the male florets of the grass to female pistils. The pollen gets caught on the pistil, which then closes around the pollen and starts to form a seed. Who knew grass was so interesting?
When grass isn’t mowed, it starts to create tall blades with seeds hanging off (called grass heads). The seeds have small barbs that attach to anything passing by. This may be your jeans when walking through the yard, your cat’s fur, and more.
Some cats may be tempted to eat these grass heads. Or your fur baby may have grass seeds caught in her hair, and she grooms herself, accidentally eating the grass seed. But what happens if a cat eats grass seed?
Grass Seed & Cats
While grass seed seems pretty harmless, it can be extremely bad for cats. The problem is that grass seeds are sharp and have pointed ends. The seeds can be stuck in your feline friend’s fur, and removing them is difficult. What’s more, the seeds may travel to the skin and embed themselves or even move into your cat’s ears. Seeds may also become lodged in a cat’s nose or throat. It’s also common for cats to have grass seeds stuck between their toes.
Grass seeds carry bacteria that can cause an infection. And grass seeds trapped in the skin may need to be removed with surgery.
When a cat swallows grass seed, the seeds may cause internal damage. What’s more, the seeds cause damage as they pass through the cat’s digestive system.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Grass Seed Ingestion in Cats
You may notice these symptoms if your cat has eaten grass seeds:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
If you notice these symptoms in your cat, call the vet immediately. This could be an emergency.
Treatment for Grass Seed Ingestion in Cats
The vet may take x-rays of your cat’s digestive system. The images may show swelling and irritation of the digestive system, indicating where the grass seeds have become lodged. If the vet finds the grass seed, it may be necessary to perform surgery to remove the seeds. During the surgery, the vet will repair any damage the seeds have caused.
In addition, the vet will treat any other symptoms. It may be necessary to put your fur baby on a round of antibiotics if the grass seeds have caused an infection.
The prognosis is best for cats that receive prompt medical care after ingesting grass seeds. If your cat likes to eat grass seed, it may be necessary to keep her indoors. Grass seed can be dangerous for cats, so keeping her inside ensures her health and happiness!
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Julie
Julie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she studied Animal science. Though contrary to the opinion of her parents she was meant to study pharmacy, but she was in love with animals especially cats. Julie currently works in an animal research institute (NGO) in California and loves spending quality time with her little cat. She has the passion for making research about animals, how they survive, their way of life among others and publishes it. Julie is also happily married with two kids.
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