The primary difference between cat grass and regular grass is that, despite its common name, cat grass is not actually a true grass in the same way that lawn grass is.
What is Cat Grass?
Fun fact: Cat grass is not really grass at all!
As highlighted in the provided reference, what humans typically refer to as “cat grass” is completely unrelated to the grass we grow outdoors for our lawns. Instead, it's the sprouts from cereal grass seeds, usually wheat, oat, rye or barley.
These sprouts are grown indoors or in small pots specifically for pets to chew on. They are young, tender shoots from these cereal grains.
- Common Types of Cat Grass Seeds:
- Wheat
- Oat
- Rye
- Barley
What is Regular Grass?
When people refer to "regular grass," they usually mean the varieties used for lawns, pastures, or ground cover, such as Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, or Ryegrass (though unrelated to the cereal grain). These are different species from the cereal grains used for cat grass. Regular lawn grass has different growth habits, textures, and nutritional profiles compared to young cereal sprouts.
Key Differences Summarized
Here's a quick comparison based on the fundamental definition:
| Feature | Cat Grass | Regular Grass (Lawn Grass) |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical Identity | Sprouts from cereal seeds (Wheat, Oat, Rye, Barley) | True grasses (Kentucky Bluegrass, Fescue, etc.) |
| Purpose | Grown specifically for pets to consume | Used for lawns, pastures, ground cover |
| Growth Stage | Young sprouts | Matures into full grass blades and roots |
In essence, while both may appear green and leafy, cat grass is functionally defined by being the edible sprouts of certain grains grown for pets, fundamentally distinct from the types of grasses that form lawns.
