Cats and Plants

********* A scientific study of grass and plant-eating behavior in cats ********* Companion Animal Behavior Program, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine

Why do cats eat grass or other types of plants? This survey, conducted by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, is the first to scientifically investigate this question. Your participation in this study is VERY important. Please answer as completely and as honestly as possible. ONLY TAKE THE SURVEY ONCE, otherwise our results will not be accurate. This survery should take approximately 15-20 minutes. When the study is completed, the results will be published and made available to the public. Thank you again for your participation!




1. 		 

Household Information
   
[Top] [Household Information] [Cat Information] [Plant Eating] [Diet] [Medical] [Behavior] [Contact] [Submit]
   
Please read the questions and follow the instructions CAREFULLY, otherwise we will be unable to use your answers.

 
   

1.1.  
NUMBER OF CATS: Total number of cats in your household:     

 
   

1.2.  
NUMBER OF DOGS: Total number of dogs in your household:     

 
   

1.3.  
CATS THAT EAT/CHEW PLANTS: To you knowledge, how many of your CATS have eaten or chewed plants at least once?     

 
   

1.4.  
DOGS THAT EAT/CHEW PLANTS: To your knowledge, how many of your DOGS have eaten or chewed plants at least once? If you do not own a dog, check "Not Applicable". If you own a dog that eats or chews plants, please fill out a dog survey after you have completed this one. The dog survey can be found at: dogs.ucdavis.edu     
   
 
  Not Applicable




2. 		 

Cat Information
   
[Top] [Household Information] [Cat Information] [Plant Eating] [Diet] [Medical] [Behavior] [Contact] [Submit]
   
**NOTE** For the remainder of the survey, please answer the following questions for the ONE CAT in your household that eats or chews plants MOST frequently. If you have only one cat in your household, answer the following questions for that cat. If your cat DOES NOT chew or eat plants, please press the "Submit" button above; you do not need to complete the survey.

 
   

2.1.  
BREED QUESTION: What breed is your cat (choose one)?
 
   
    Domestic Short-haired (DSH) - MIXED BREED cat with short-hair
   
    Domestic Medium-haired (DMH) - MIXED BREED cat with medium-length hair
   
    Domestic Long-haired (DLH) - MIXED BREED cat with long-hair
   
    Abyssinian
   
    American Bobtail
   
    American Curl
   
    American Shorthair
   
    American Wirehair
   
    Balinese
   
    Birman
   
    Bombay
   
    British Shorthair
   
    Burmese
   
    Chartreux
   
    Colorpoint Shorthair
   
    Cornish Rex
   
    Devon Rex
   
    Egyptian Mau
   
    European Burmese
   
    Exotic
   
    Havana Brown
   
    Himalayan
   
    Japanese Bobtail
   
    Javanese
   
    Korat
   
    LaPerm
   
    Maine Coon
   
    Manx
   
    Norwegian Forest Cat
   
    Ocicat
   
    Oriental
   
    Persian
   
    Ragamuffin
   
    Ragdoll
   
    Russian Blue
   
    Scottish Fold
   
    Selkirk Rex
   
    Siamese
   
    Siberian
   
    Singapura
   
    Somali
   
    Sphynx
   
    Tonkinese
   
    Turkish Angora
   
    Turkish Van
   
    I do not know
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

2.2.  
GENDER QUESTION: What is the sex of your cat?     

 
   

2.3.  
AGE QUESTION: How old is your cat (approximate age)?     

 
   

2.4.  
DURATION IN HOUSEHOLD: How long has this cat been in your household?     

 
   

2.5.  
HOUSING QUESTION: Is your cat (choose one):
 
   
    Indoor only (Not purposely let outside)
   
    Primarily indoor/Supervised outdoor (Spends some supervised time outdoors)
   
    Primarily indoor/Unsupervised outdoor (Spends some unsupervised time outdoors)
   
    Indoor/Outdoor (Spends about equal amounts of time indoors and unsupervised outdoors)
   
    Primarily outdoor (Usually outdoors but allowed to come inside)
   
    Outdoor only (Outdoor except for rare circumstances, for example, when sick)
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

2.6.  
REASON FOR ACQUISITION: Is your cat primarily a (choose one):
 
   
    Family member/Companion
   
    Show/Competition Cat
   
    Breeder - Breeding for show/competition
   
    Breeder - Breeding for companion/pet
   
    Barn Cat - Pest control/Hunter
   
    Neighborhood cat/Stray
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

2.7.  
CARETAKER QUESTION: Are you the primary caretaker of this cat?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

2.8.  
TIME SPENT WITH YOUR CAT: On average, how many hours per day do YOU spend with your cat (able to observe his/her behavior)?     



3. 		 

Plant Eating Behavior
   
[Top] [Household Information] [Cat Information] [Plant Eating] [Diet] [Medical] [Behavior] [Contact] [Submit]
   
**NOTE** Please continue to answer the following questions for the ONE cat in your household that eats or chews plants MOST frequently (same cat as in section 2). If you have only one cat in your household, answer the following questions for that cat.

 
   

3.1.  
PLANT EATING/CHEWING QUESTION: Do you think your cat eats or chews plants?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

3.2.  
DIRECT OBSERVATION OF PLANT EATING/CHEWING: Have you SEEN your cat eating or chewing plants at least once?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

3.3.  
OTHER EVIDENCE OF PLANT EATING/CHEWING: Other than witnessing your cat, do you have other evidence that he/she eats or chews plants?
 
   
  Yes   No
   

 
   

3.4.  
TYPES OF EVIDENCE: If you answered "Yes" to question 3.3 above, what type(s) of evidence do you have? (Choose all that apply) If you answered "No", please check "Not applicable".
 
   
    Found plant material in his/her feces
   
    Found plant material in his/her vomit
   
    Found plant material in his/her mouth or teeth
   
    Other people have told me
   
    Found chewed plant material in your home or yard
   
    Had medical problems from eating/chewing plants (For example - blocked intestine, poisoning, etc.)
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  
   
    Not applicable


 
   

3.5.  
TOTAL NUMBER OF TIMES PLANT EATING/CHEWING HAS BEEN OBSERVED: Approximately how many times have you SEEN your cat eat or chew plants throughout his/her life?     

 
   

3.6.  
AGE OF YOUR CAT WHEN PLANT EATING/CHEWING STARTED: At what age did you first notice your cat eating or chewing plants?     

 
   

3.7.  
FREQUENCY OF PLANT EATING/CHEWING: About how frequently does your cat eat or chew plants?     

 
   

3.8.  
EATING VS. CHEWING PLANTS: Under MOST circumstances, does your cat (choose one):
 
   
    Chew and swallow plant material (eats it) at least sometimes
   
    Chew but doesn't seem to swallow plant material (chews it only)
   
    Lick but doesn't chew plant material
   
    Eat or chew plant material while eating other objects (For example - treats, dirt, material, etc.)
   
    Eat or chew plant material incidentally while playing (For example - while playing with objects in the yard)
   
    Eat or chew plant material incidentally while grooming
   
    I do not know
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

3.9.  
ACCESS TO PLANTS: Where does your cat have ACCESS to plants? (Choose all that apply)
 
   
    Inside your home (For example - houseplants, floral arrangements, etc.)
   
    Inside your home - plants accidentally tracked inside (For example - leaves, grass, etc.)
   
    Inside your home - groceries (vegetables, fruits or other plants)
   
    On your deck or patio
   
    In your yard - supervised (you are outside watching your cat)
   
    In your yard - unsupervised
   
    Outdoors/Neighborhood - supervised (For example - on leashed walks or outings)
   
    Outdoors/Neighborhood - unsupervised
   
    Intentionally offered to him/her as a dietary supplement
   
    Intentionally offered to him/her as a toy for enrichment
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

3.10.  
LOCATION(S) WHERE PLANT EATING/CHEWING HAS BEEN OBSERVED: Where have you SEEN your cat eat or chew plants? (Choose all that apply)
 
   
    Inside your home (For example - houseplants, floral arrangements, etc.)
   
    Inside your home - plants accidentally tracked inside (For example - leaves, grass, etc.)
   
    Inside your home - groceries (vegetables, fruits or other plants)
   
    On your deck or patio
   
    In your yard - supervised (you are outside watching your cat)
   
    In your yard - unsupervised (spying; cat unaware that you are watching)
   
    Outside/Neighborhood - supervised (For example - on leashed walks or outings)
   
    Outside/Neighborhood - unsupervised
   
    Intentionally offered to him/her as a dietary supplement
   
    Intentionally offered to him/her as a toy for enrichment
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

3.11.  
TYPES OF PLANTS YOU HAVE OBSERVED YOUR CAT EATING/CHEWING: What types of plants have you SEEN your cat eat or chew? (Choose all that apply)
 
   
    Grass - long blades (For example - weeds)
   
    Grass - short blades (For example - lawn grass)
   
    Grass - clippings
   
    Grass - sold commercially (Cat Grass Plus, OzzyAtt Cat Grass Kit, etc.)
   
    Catnip - Fresh
   
    Catnip - Dried
   
    Green leaves
   
    Brown/dried leaves
   
    Flowers or petals
   
    Berries, fruit or vegetables
   
    Green plant stems
   
    Brown/dried plant stems
   
    Sticks, twigs or bark
   
    Roots
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  
   
    Not Applicable


 
   

3.12.  
TYPES OF PLANTS YOU SUSPECT YOUR CAT OF EATING/CHEWING: Excluding those plants that you have witnessed your cat eating or chewing, what OTHER types of plants do you SUSPECT your cat eats or chews based on indirect evidence (for example, seeing plant material in his/her feces, finding chewed plants, etc.)? (Choose all that apply)
 
   
    Grass - long blades (For example - weeds)
   
    Grass - short blades (For example - lawn grass)
   
    Grass - clippings
   
    Grass - sold commercially (For example - Cat Grass Plus, OzzyAtt Cat Grass Kit, etc.)
   
    Catnip - fresh
   
    Catnip - dried
   
    Green leaves
   
    Brown/dried leaves
   
    Flowers or petals
   
    Berries, fruit or vegetables
   
    Green plant stems
   
    Brown/dried plant stems
   
    Sticks, twigs or bark
   
    Roots
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  
   
    Not Applicable


 
   

3.13.  
TYPES OF PLANTS MOST FREQUENTLY EATEN/CHEWED: Based on either direct observation or other evidence, what type of plant does your cat MOST FREQUENTLY eat or chew? (Choose ONE answer)
 
   
    Grass - long blades (For example - weeds)
   
    Grass - short blades (For example - lawn grass)
   
    Grass - clippings
   
    Grass - sold commercially (For example - Cat Grass Plus, OzzyAtt Cat Grass Kit, etc.)
   
    Catnip - fresh
   
    Catnip - dried
   
    Green leaves
   
    Brown/dried leaves
   
    Flowers or petals
   
    Berries, fruit or vegetables
   
    Green plant stems
   
    Brown/dried plant stems
   
    Sticks, twigs or bark
   
    Roots
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  
   
    Not Applicable


 
   

3.14.  
NAME OF PLANT EATEN OR CHEWED MOST FREQUENTLY: If you know the SPECIFIC type and part of the plant your cat most frequently eats or chews, please write it below. (For example - Oat grass, commercially produced, eats tips only; Chinese peas - eats pea pods only.). If you do not know the specific type of plant, please check "I do not know".
 
   
 
   
 
  I do not know


 
   

3.15.  
BEHAVIOR(S) INVOLVED IN EATING/CHEWING PLANTS: Does your cat exhibit any particular patterns to his/her plant eating/chewing behavior? (Choose all that apply)
 
   
    I have not observed him/her - I do not know
   
    No particular pattern observed
   
    Eats/chews plants when apparently feeling "ill" (For example - inactive, not eating, hiding, etc.)
   
    Eats/chews plants in specific locations (For example - friend's home, specific corner of yard, etc.)
   
    Eats/chew splants if other pets are also eating plants
   
    Would eat/chew plants all the time if I let him/her
   
    Eats/chews plants following specific events (For example - after being brushed, after coming home from the vet, etc.)
   
    Eats/chews plants at certain times of the day (For example - morning, evening, etc.)
   
    Eats/chews plants at certain times of the year (For example - spring, fall, etc.)
   
    Eats/chews plants when "bored"
   
    Eats/chews plants after certain weather conditions (For example - after it has rained)
   
    Eats/chews plants that other animals have urinated on
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  
   
    None of the above


 
   

3.16.  
CAT'S BEHAVIOR BEFORE EATING/CHEWEING PLANTS: With respect to the type of plant your cat MOST COMMONLY eats or chews (Question 3.13) - Select the behavior your cat MOST COMMONLY engages in during the hour BEFORE your cat eats THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF PLANT. (Choose one)
 
   
    Unable to observe - I do not know
   
    Goes about his/her normal life; acts normally which may include sleeping, eating, drinking, grooming, etc.
   
    Vomits AND shows signs of feeling "ill" (For example - depression, loss of appetite, inactivity, etc.)
   
    Does NOT vomit, but shows signs of feeling "ill" (For example - depression, loss of appetite, inactivity, etc.)
   
    Vomits, but does NOT appear "ill"
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

3.17.  
CAT'S BEHAVIOR AFTER EATING/CHEWEING PLANTS: With respect to the type of plant your cat MOST COMMONLY eats or chews (Question 3.13) - Select the behavior your cat MOST COMMONLY engages in during the hour AFTER your cat eats THIS SPECIFIC TYPE OF PLANT. (Choose one)
 
   
    Unable to observe - I do not know
   
    Goes about his/her normal life; acts normally which may include sleeping, eating, drinking, grooming, etc.
   
    Vomits AND shows signs of feeling "ill" (For example - depression, loss of appetite, inactivity, etc.)
   
    Does NOT vomit, but shows signs of feeling "ill" (For example - depression, loss of appetite, inactivity, etc.)
   
    Vomits, but does NOT appear "ill"
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

3.18.  
FREQUENCY OF VOMITING BEFORE EATING/CHEWING PLANTS: How frequently does your cat vomit BEFORE eating or chewing plants? (Choose one answer)
 
   
    Never vomits before eating or chewing plants (0% of the time)
   
    Rarely vomits before eating or chewing plants (Less than 10% of the time)
   
    Occasionally vomits before eating or chewing plants (10-25% of the time)
   
    Sometimes vomits before eating or chewing plants (205-50% of the time)
   
    Often vomits before eating or chewing plants (50-75% of the time)
   
    Frequently vomits before eating or chewing plants (75-90% of the time)
   
    Typically vomits before eating or chewing plants (Greater than 90% of the time)
   
    Always vomits before eating or chewing plants (100% of the time)

 
   

3.19.  
FREQUENCY OF VOMITING AFTER EATING/CHEWING PLANTS: How frequently does your cat vomit AFTER eating or chewing plants? (Choose one answer)
 
   
    Never vomits after eating or chewing plants (0% of the time)
   
    Rarely vomits after eating or chewing plants (Less than 10% of the time)
   
    Occasionally vomits after eating or chewing plants (10-25% of the time)
   
    Sometimes vomits after eating or chewing plants (25-50% of the time)
   
    Often vomits after eating or chewing plants (50-75% of the time)
   
    Frequently vomits after eating or chewing plants (75-90% of the time)
   
    Typically vomits after eating or chewing plants (Greater than 90% of the time)
   
    Always vomits after eating or chewing plants (100% of the time)

 
   

3.20.  
TIME INTERVAL BETWEEN VOMITING AND EATING/CHEWING PLANTS: If your cat vomits BEFORE eating or chewing plants - On average, how many hours after vomiting does your cat eat or chew plants?     
   
 
  Not Applicable


 
   

3.21.  
TIME INTERVAL BETWEEN EATING/CHEWING PLANTS AND VOMITING: If your cat vomits AFTER eating or chewing plants - On average, how many hours after eating or chewing plants does your cat vomit?     
   
 
  Not Applicable


 
   

3.22.  
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN VOMITING AND EATING/CHEWING CERTAIN TYPES OF PLANTS: Does your cat regularly vomit after eating certain types of plants? (Choose all that apply)
 
   
    Grass (long blades, short blades, clippings, commercially grown)
   
    Catnip (fresh or dried)
   
    Leaves (green or dried)
   
    Flowers or petals
   
    Berries, fruits or vegetables
   
    Plant stems (green or dried)
   
    Sticks, twigs or bark
   
    Roots
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  
   
    Not Applicable


 
   

3.23.  
PLANTS IN FECES: Have you ever seen grass or other plant material in your cat's FRESH feces/droppings?
 
   
  Yes   No
   



4. 		 

Diet
   
[Top] [Household Information] [Cat Information] [Plant Eating] [Diet] [Medical] [Behavior] [Contact] [Submit]
   

 
   

4.1.  
DIET QUESTION: Select all types of food your feed your cat more than once per week. (Choose all that apply)
 
   
    Moist food/canned or foil packaged
   
    Dry food/kibble
   
    Semi-moist food (For example - Purina Happy Cat moist, etc.)
   
    Home-cooked diet
   
    Raw food diet (For example - chicken back/necks, frozen commercial raw food diet, etc.)
   
    Commercial treats - Dry (For example - Pounce Hairball Crunchy Treat, etc.)
   
    Commercial treats - Semi-moist (For example - Pounce moist treats, Friskies cat treats, etc.)
   
    Commercial treats - Dried shrimp or fish flakes
   
    Treats - "People food"/Left-overs

 
   

4.2.  
PRIMARY DIET QUESTION: Your cat's diet consists primarily (>50%) of (Choose one answer):
 
   
    Moist food/canned or foil packaged
   
    Dry food/kibble
   
    Semi-moist food (For example - Purina Happy Cat moist, etc.)
   
    Home-cooked diet
   
    Raw food diet (For example - chicken back/necks, frozen commercial raw food diet, etc.)
   
    Commercial treats - Dry (For example - Pounce Hairball Crunchy Treat, etc.)(
   
    Commercial treats - Semi-moist (For example - Pounce moist treats, Friskies cat treats, etc.)
   
    Commercial treats - Dried shrimp or fish flakes
   
    Treats - "People food"/Left-overs
   
   
Other, Please Specify:  

 
   

4.3.