The $10 Cat Grass Wake-Up Call: Why I Grow My Own (and You Should Too)
I was standing in the checkout line at Petco—again—with a little container of Bell Rock PetGreens in my hand. My cat loves it, it looked healthy and lush, and honestly, I didn’t think twice about tossing it in my cart… until I looked at the price.
$9.99. For grass.
That’s when it hit me:
I’m a cat sitter. I own eight cats. I know better.
I’m literally paying ten bucks for something I could grow in a windowsill.
And I know I’m not the only one. Those cute little green containers are tempting—placed right where you check out, all fresh and full of promise. They make you feel like a responsible, enriching cat parent.
But here’s the truth I now tell all my cat sitting clients:
Your cat doesn’t need grass.
Do Cats Actually Need Grass?
Nope. Cats are obligate carnivores. They need meat, not plants. There’s no nutritional requirement for grass in a cat’s diet.
That said, some cats enjoy grass. They chew it, bat it, or sometimes eat it and then throw it up. Scientists aren’t entirely sure why—they might be soothing their stomachs, passing hairballs, or just doing it out of instinct.
But here’s the thing: it’s optional.
Some cats love it. Some ignore it. And some treat it like a leafy green ticket to puke city.
So if your cat doesn’t show interest? Skip it. You’re not neglecting them.
If they do love it? Awesome—just don’t fall into the trap I did.
Why I Stopped Buying Cat Grass
Besides the price tag creeping toward $10, I had other issues:
The containers don’t last long—mine wilted or molded within a week or two.
Some batches smelled weird or felt slimy underneath.
My cats would knock them over constantly. So fun.
Eventually I thought, “This is ridiculous. There has to be a better way.” And there is.
How I Grow My Own Cat Grass (for Pennies)
You don’t need a kit. You don’t need a green thumb.
Here’s what I use:
A shallow dish or container
Organic wheat berries (barley, rye, or oat work too)
Potting soil
A sunny windowsill
A spray bottle for watering
That’s it.
I sprinkle a few tablespoons of seeds into the soil, water them lightly, and in about a week, I have lush, fresh grass my cats go nuts for. When it starts looking tired, I compost it and start over. Total cost per round? Maybe $0.50.
Final Thoughts
Cat grass can be fun enrichment for some cats—but it’s not essential, and it definitely shouldn’t drain your budget. If your cat enjoys it, skip the overpriced store-bought stuff and grow your own. It’s cheaper, fresher, and weirdly satisfying.
And if your cat couldn’t care less? You just saved yourself ten bucks.