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Wheatgrass for cats?

Species: Cat
Breed: N/A
Age: 8-11 years
Dear Dr. Marie,

I have a question for Fei Meow again. As Fei Meow is very happy to eat wheat grass, I am trying my little effort to see if it is ok for him on l/d diet.

On July 2012, ALT from blood test is higher than normal 143 U/L. Having l/d diet helped to keep it normal. We repeatedly tested with the effect to change to l/d diet to weight reducing diet which made ALT 188 U/L again in Dec 2012. So, in 2013, he kept l/d diet and made stable record of normal ALT. See the bottom for the perfect blood test report.

The vet here suggested me not to take the risk for feeding wheat grass even small quantity. So I would like to hear about your opinion if I can feed him little (few pieces) per week. Will it also be ok to feed him little fish (as small as 1cm cube per month).

Breed: (I dont know. common type. photo here)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/eh0tl9fjgoy41gp/P8260018.JPG

Last blood test report:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l0bulrm7tzm81k0/20130831_BloodTestP1.pdf

Thank you very much. We look forward to your advice. Thank you!

Doris


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Hi Doris,

I don't have much experience with giving wheat grass to cats so I did some research for you. Giving wheatgrass is *probably* not likely to cause harm but I could not find any conclusive evidence that it would help at all. I'm not sure if the reason to give Fei Meow wheatgrass was for medicinal reasons or just because it is something that he enjoys. If he enjoys it, then again, it is *probably* ok. I say, "probably" because there haven't been any studies done to show if it is harmful to the liver.

With that being said, there are a lot of things we don't know about how cats handle supplements and this is probably why your vet has said to stay away from it. If this were my case and the cat really enjoyed eating wheatgrass then I would probably allow it and after he had been having it for a month or so, do some more bloodwork to see if the liver enzymes are still in the normal range.

However, if your vet has recommended against feeding it, there may be good reason. If you are not sure what to do I would follow the advice of your vet.

A small amount of fish per month really should be fine.

Hope that helps!

Dr. Marie.


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Disclaimer: Although Dr. Marie is a qualified veterinarian, the information found on this site is not meant to replace the advice of your own veterinarian. AskAVetQuestion.com and Dr. Marie do not accept any responsibility for any loss, damage, injury, death, or disease which may arise from reliance on information contained on this site. Do not use information found on this site for diagnosing or treating your pet. Anything you read here is for information only.

Customer reply:

Hi Dr. Marie,

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Giving wheat grass for Fei Meow is purely it is his favorite. I think I will try giving small dose of wheat grass (5 pieces) per month.

Thanks for the permission for small amount of fish. I have given little salmon and thus the quota for this month is gone. :) He did enjoy little, remaining some very little. I guess he means enough. :P

Thank you.

Best Regards,
Doris


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Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

Is an online vet visit just as good as a trip to your veterinarian? No! But, many times, asking an online veterinarian a question can help save you money. While Dr. Marie can't officially diagnose your pet or prescribe medications, she can often advise you on whether a vet visit is necessary. You can also ask Dr. Marie for a second opinion on your pet's condition.