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Cats/why does my cat go outside to eat bushes?
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Question
i let my cat outside and he went straight for a bush and started eating it. why?
Hi Jaizlyn,
Some people used to think that cats received nutrients from the vegetation, but it's been proven that cats can't derive much nutrition from raw plant matter. Others used to believe cats would eat vegetation if their stomach was upset, either to help calm it, or to induce vomiting. This also has been disproven for the most part. The generally agreed upon answer is that cats like the texture and taste of certain plants. Many cats WILL vomit after eating too much vegetation, but this is because their stomach is not created to digest plant matter.
I would recommend that you try to see whether the plant your cat is nibbling on is toxic or not. Cats don't know the difference, and while some may only cause vomiting, some can be fatal. Here is a list of some toxic and some non-toxic plants.
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
Best wishes!
Jessica
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Answers by Expert:
Jessica
Expertise
The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience
I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience
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