Having it raw is the best way to consume. Once you tell him what you cat has been eating, he’ll request X-rays and an ultrasound. The plants are safe for cats - in moderation, of course. Generally, cats are good at regulating when and how much cat grass they eat, and it … If you've got lemongrass and you'd rather your cat didn't chew on it, try regularly spraying the plant with diluted lemon juice, which most felines abhor. It's easy to grow in a pot or in the garden and is a great addition to your edible garden for your cat or dog. Whether potted indoors or planted in an outdoor garden, a nibble-friendly patch of lemongrass is a safe cat treat. Indoors or outdoors, it's fairly easy to cultivate, although you may want to limit your cat's exposure to it during plants' early growth stages. This essential oil can kill a variety of fungi, so it’s a good choice for stopping ringworm. Keep plants out of reach of pets. Yes. It's woody more than grassy, so an alternate would be something more like a cinnamon stick or bamboo. If your cat regularly consumes essential oil of lemongrass, contact a veterinarian. Once the appropriate treatment has been given for one of these conditions, it should resume eating a more normal diet. Catnip (nepeta cataria) – As seen in the photo below, some kitties will go absolutely crazy for this stuff. It seems to be very useful as a natural pest repellent in homes to ward off insects. Usually, the grass is eaten by the cat will spit back very quickly and vomiting are covered or enclosed by the cat's saliva foaming and sticky. If your cats are important members of the family, just like Frosty and Bella are … It doesn’t have the necessary liver enzymes to break down the compounds in this essential oil. Lemongrass freezes beautifully. Can Dogs Eat Lemongrass ? What is Lemongrass? What else should I look out for? Cymbopogon winterianus is a close cousin to Ceylon citronella, which is used to repel insects. Whether potted indoors or planted in an outdoor garden, a nibble-friendly patch of lemongrass is a safe cat treat. However, unlike other herbs given in small quantities as a treat, you can make it one of the leafy greens that bunnies eat, i.e., a cup full of 5-6 leafy greens with lemongrass being one of them is enough for a two-pound weighing bunny. Also known as cat grass, this grass can offer nutritional benefits to your cat if they eat it–rather than just play with it. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!. To avoid trouble, keep essential oil of lemongrass away from cats. This doesn’t mean that the cat should ingest it or be meddle with it, which could pose a threat to its health. © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. If the animal has access to the outside, to the street, it will know what grass to eat and what is best to avoid. I realized after that he vomits each time he comes home after playing but he feels better after that but last week I let him go outside again cause I stopped him from playing in the garden, then he ate some and he was poisoned with non stop diarrhea and vomiting like 6 times I took him to the vet and stopped him from going outside. It should not also come in contact with the cat’s skin in any way. Washington Post: Spice Up Cat's Fondness for Lemongrass with Other Plants, Odor Destroyer: Gardens for People and Gardens for Cats, MyHealthyCat.com: Plants Poisonous to Cats. However, it absolutely must be diluted first (coconut oil makes an excellent carrier oil), as unadulterated lemongrass oil can be toxic to felines. After your cat has eaten lemongrass, especially in larger amounts, you’ll notice the following symptoms: Concentrated lemongrass essence, in the form of an essential oil, may prove harmful for your cat. I was under the impression that lemon grass is good for cats so I put some in my garden and everyday I let my cat play in there and eat some. Should be worried about lemongrass poisoning? But, we have seen our cats eating them. One explanation for cats eating grass is that it helps to bring up hairballs and offers relief from an upset tummy. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM. The herb is what stimulates the perspiration and cools the … While your cat is restricted to the indoors of your house, make sure any other opportunities to eat lemongrass can’t take place. Your vet will provide treatments that help your cat return to health. I use, maybe 2 tablespoons of this solution total. Lemongrass has a catnip-like effect on most cats. So, now instead of discouraging your cat from their potentially healthy habit of eating grass, create your own cat grass garden with herbs that your cat can safely eat! This makes it harder to remove phenols and monoterpenes, and other substances found in essential oils. There are so many cats that eat grass rough in small amounts on a regular basis, which is nothing but aims to stimulate them to bring up food that has been digested. While still under anesthesia, the vet will also repair any damage caused by the lemongrass your cat ate. There is a risk that lemongrass oils (especially essential oils) can make a cat ill and this could become a problem if a cat decides to eat too much of the lemongrass plant. A cat may eat too much of it and throw up, but poisoning is unlikely. In its natural form—i.e., as a plant—lemongrass poses little if any danger to felines. Lemongrass, also called oil grass, comes from the Poaceae family. After I did my research and found that lemongrass is a safer oil for kitty’s, we tested it using the “sniff test.” You have to be a bit more careful for your felines with essential oils, as they lack the enzyme glucuronyl transferase in the liver. Cats in the wild eat every part of their prey, including indigestible parts like bones and feathers. It has a faintly lemony taste, but I don't think it is particularly acidic. The recipe included 1 cup of water, 1/5 cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 15 drops of lemongrass essential oil. If your cat didn’t have an overwhelming need to eat lemongrass or other dangerous substances before, but it does now, take it to the vet for a full examination. Essential oils are highly concentrated and lemongrass in particular, is toxic to cats if ingested. When your cat or dog is permitted to m unch on Lemongrass, it has the effect of relieving inflammation, pains and aches. Eating grass is like fiber with no significant nutritional value for cats, but helps to expel undigested matter. If … Does this mean your cat likes to throw up? Give your cat watchful freedom to chew on these grasses rather than lemongrass. As a medical herb, the lemon grass is gently diuretic and a tonic. Without harming your cat, you can diffuse lemongrass in your home in moderation. Through these tests, the vet will see if he can detect any toxins in your cat’s blood. Its toxicity arises from both the cyanogenic glycosides and essential oil which will cause stomach upsets in your feline friend. This plant is used widely in Thai foods, and while it isn’t toxic to humans, it can harm dogs, cats and other wildlife. Why Lemongrass in Cats? While you may love the scent of lemongrass in the air, you may have to shop for something else. Lemongrass plants that live for more than one season benefit from an annual haircut to tidy up plants and remove dead foliage. Lemongrass (cymbopagon) – Kitties love the smell of lemongrass, so if you’re growing some for yourself, grow some extra for them to gnaw on. You can use your cat's natural attraction to these plants to your advantage. This is important because cats eat their prey … She also didn’t each too much food this morning. Avoid growing the following herbs in your cat garden, as they can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your pets: Lemongrass; Mint; Oregano; Tarragon; Be sure to consult with your veterinarian before trying herbs safe for cats. For its pleasant smell and insect repellent nature, lemongrass essential oil is often used in shampoo and soap-making for both humans and pets. *Wag! The most important thing is that your cat does not eat grass that has pesticides or other chemical products.