Kernow Vet Group's home page
Emergency 01208872254
Churchend Vets - St. Austell 01726 72095
Ellis Vets - Liskeard 01579 342602
Harleigh Vets - Bodmin 01208 72323
Pelyn Vets - Lostwithiel 01208 872254
Pelyn Vets - St. Austell 01726 68177

Why Do Cats Eat Grass?

Science Magazine recently published some interesting findings on why cats eat grass…

According to Science Magazine, scientists think they may finally have an answer for why our feline friends have a tendency to gobble up grass, only to regurgitate it again shortly after.

More than 1,000 cat owners were surveyed, all of whom spent at least 3 hours a day observing their pet. As you may have suspected, eating plants and greenery was revealed to be a common occurrence, with only 11% of owners failing to notice their cat doing it.

It’s a common belief that cats eat grass precisely because it makes them throw up, but the study mentioned above revealed that only a quarter of greenery-gobbling cats were actually sick afterwards. Also, 91% of the owners surveyed revealed that their cats didn’t display any symptoms associated with being unwell before they went on to ingest plants.


So why exactly do they do it?

The prevalent theory is that cats, just like many other wild animals including chimps, ingest grass because it – at one time, at least – helps to get rid of intestinal parasites. It does this by increasing the muscle activity in their intestinal tract.

Although the parasite in question is no longer a threat to our feline friends, it seems to be the case that cats picked up this strategy from a distant ancestor and that’s it’s simply innate behaviour.

Read more by visiting the Science Magazine website.


Concerned about your cat?

If you’ve noticed that your cat is vomiting excessively, it may be worth bringing them in to see us. If you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Practice information

Harleigh Vets - Bodmin

Back
  • Mon
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Tue
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Wed
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Thu
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Fri
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Sat
    8.30am – 12.00pm
  • Sun
    Closed
Back

Find us here:

The Veterinary Surgery Harleigh Road Bodmin PL31 1AQ
get directions with Google Maps

Churchend Vets - St. Austell

Back
  • Mon
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Tue
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Wed
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Thu
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Fri
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Sat
    8.30am – 1.00pm
  • Sun
    Closed
Back

Find us here:

Trevarthian Rd St. Austell Cornwall PL25 4BH
get directions with Google Maps

Ellis Vets - Liskeard

Back
  • Mon
    8.30am – 6.00pm
  • Tue
    8.30am – 6.00pm
  • Wed
    8.30am – 6.00pm
  • Thu
    8.30am – 6.00pm
  • Fri
    8.30am – 6.00pm
  • Sat
    8.30am – 10.30am
  • Sun
    Closed
Back

Find us here:

4c Heathlands Road Liskeard Cornwall PL14 4DH
get directions with Google Maps

Pelyn Vets - Lostwithiel

Back
  • Mon
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Tue
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Wed
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Thu
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Fri
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Sat
    8.30am – 12.30pm
  • Sun
    Closed
Back

Find us here:

Edgecumbe Road Nomansland Lostwithiel PL22 0DZ
get directions with Google Maps

Pelyn Vets - St. Austell

Back
  • Mon
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Tue
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Wed
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Thu
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Fri
    8.30am – 6.30pm
  • Sat
    9.00am – 12.00pm
  • Sun
    Closed
Back

Find us here:

8 Kings Avenue St. Austell Cornwall PL25 4TT
get directions with Google Maps