Cats eating grass and vomiting shortly afterward is one of the most common questions veterinarians hear, and in most healthy cats it's nothing to worry about, according to veterinarian Dr. Paola Cuevas in her weekly Ask Dr. Paola advice column.
One reader, Duncan, wrote in about his 9-year-old cat Bhelpuri, who munches on kitty grass during daily supervised garden time and then throws it up minutes later "more often than not." Bhelpuri is otherwise healthy, which led Duncan to ask whether the habit is actually good for her or something he should discourage.
Why do cats eat grass and then vomit?
Dr. Cuevas says the behavior Duncan describes is genuinely common in cats, many of whom seem to enjoy chewing on grass even though it often comes back up soon after. There's no definitive evidence that cats eat grass specifically to make themselves vomit — it may simply be a texture or taste they enjoy, similar to a person craving a particular crunchy snack. The blades can also irritate the stomach lining or tickle the back of the throat, which may trigger vomiting on its own.
For a cat like Bhelpuri who maintains a healthy weight, eats normally, and shows no other digestive symptoms, Dr. Cuevas says there's little cause for concern. Because she vomits so consistently after eating grass, though, it may help to limit how much is available during garden time rather than cutting it out completely — offering a small patch of safe, untreated cat grass and discouraging large binges. A veterinary visit becomes more important if the vomiting increases in frequency, happens even without grass, or comes with changes in appetite, weight, energy, or stool quality.
When grass-eating becomes a concern
The key distinction, Dr. Cuevas notes, is whether grass-eating is an isolated quirk in an otherwise healthy cat or one symptom among several. Occasional vomiting tied only to grass consumption in a cat that is eating, playing, and using the litter box normally is rarely a red flag. Frequent vomiting unrelated to grass, weight loss, lethargy, or diarrhea, on the other hand, warrants a proper veterinary exam to rule out other causes.
Also this week: feral cat ear mites and safe pet travel abroad
The same column tackled two other reader questions. Sybil asked about treating suspected ear mites in Ninji, a feral cat too fearful to be touched, who has scratched both ears raw. Dr. Cuevas cautioned that over-the-counter sprays marketed for general skin and ear issues aren't a proven treatment for ear mites, which are parasites living deep in the ear canal and require targeted medication. Because symptoms like scratching and hair loss can also point to bacterial or yeast infections, allergies, or ear polyps, she recommended contacting a shelter veterinarian or teletriage service, since vets can often prescribe spot-on treatments applied to the back of the neck after humane trapping.
A third reader, Dana, was preparing to send her rescued Persian cat and kittens from Oman to a rescue in Canada, worried about cargo temperatures that can reach 50°C (122°F) locally. Dr. Cuevas explained that reputable airlines keep animals in a temperature-controlled, pressurized cabin section rather than exposed cargo, with the greatest risk coming from ground handling and transfers rather than the flight itself. She advised working with the airline and rescue to schedule travel during cooler months and times of day, minimize layovers, and confirm the carrier's live-animal temperature policies before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for cats to vomit after eating grass?
Yes. Many healthy cats chew grass and vomit soon after; it's considered a normal behavior rather than a sign of illness, as long as the cat is otherwise eating well and acting normally.
Should I stop giving my cat access to grass?
Not necessarily. Vets often recommend simply limiting the amount available, such as offering a small patch of safe, untreated cat grass, rather than removing it entirely.
Readers with their own questions can submit them through Catster's weekly column, which covers everything from everyday behavior quirks to more complex pet health and welfare decisions, with new columns published regularly in the site's pet advice archive.
