{"id":6762,"date":"2026-11-11T00:35:30","date_gmt":"2026-11-10T22:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zairiflowers.co.il\/?post_type=zf_guide&p=6762"},"modified":"2026-11-11T00:35:30","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T22:35:30","slug":"cat-grass-vs-catnip","status":"publish","type":"zf_guide","link":"https:\/\/zairiflowers.co.il\/en\/blog\/cat-grass-vs-catnip\/","title":{"rendered":"Cat grass and catnip: the difference starts with the packaging"},"content":{"rendered":"

One packet says CATGRASS and another says Catnip. Both names relate to cats, but they are not alternative names for the same plant. Before you choose seeds, it is worth checking both what will grow from them and what the packet says about how they were treated.<\/p>\n

Cat grass: a general name, not the name of a single species<\/h2>\n

Cat grass is a commercial name that can refer to different grasses, such as wheat, oats, barley or rye. So you need to read the ingredients on the packaging to know what is inside. According to the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine<\/a>, this kind of grass is not a dietary necessity for a cat that gets a balanced diet. There is no reason to present it as a substitute for food or as a medical treatment.<\/p>\n

Catnip: a different plant<\/h2>\n

Catnip is Nepeta cataria, a plant in the mint family. It is known for cats' response to its scent, and it is not one of the cereal grasses called cat grass. The University of Wisconsin gardening guide<\/a> explains this botanical identity.<\/p>\n

Here too, it would be wrong to promise "safe in any amount". The ASPCA notes that catnip may cause vomiting and diarrhea<\/a>. If you have a question about suitability for a particular cat, especially one with a health condition, ask a veterinarian.<\/p>\n

What did we see on the cat grass package in the shop?<\/h2>\n

The package photo shows the name "Cat grass", the text CATGRASS and a sticker reading "Disinfected seeds". The photo does not identify the treatment substance or provide instructions confirming that it can be given to a cat. We are therefore checking this particular package with the supplier, and it is not currently available to buy on the website.<\/p>\n

The name on the packaging is not enough to determine whether the seeds, sprouts or plant that grows from them are suitable to eat. NPIC guidelines for seeds treated with pesticides<\/a> make clear that these seeds must not be used for food or animal feed. In the case shown in the photo, treatment details and the supplier's instructions are needed before deciding how the product may be used.<\/p>\n

What should you check when choosing a product for your cat?<\/h2>\n