Source: Science
Scientists may have solved one of the strangest feline mysteries: why cats eat grass. A new study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior suggests cats deliberately choose jagged, spiky grasses that can snag and entangle fur inside their digestive tracts, potentially helping dislodge hairballs. Plant biologist Nicole Hughes and her team examined six cat hairballs under a scanning electron microscope, finding plant fragments with sharp trichomes—spikelike projections two to 20 times wider than cat hairs.
These structures acted like “drain snakes,” grabbing hair effectively, unlike parasites such as worms, which are far too large to be trapped. Genetic testing showed cats favored rough grasses and common houseplants such as spiderwort. While some experts still argue grass eating is an evolutionary holdover for parasite control, the findings highlight a possible adaptive purpose for the behavior. Hughes continues testing with her cats, exploring whether spiky plants might aid not only vomiting but also digestion.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.science.org/content/article/gold-covered-hairballs-may-reveal-why-cats-eat-grass