On the questions of our readers answers the president of St. Petersburg cat-fans club " Felis" M. Rudnitskaya.
Is it obligatory to grow oats and clover, etc. for cats?
Yes, it's necessary to grow oats. Up to the moment when sprouts are 2 - 2,5 inches high. Such young oats contains vitamins of B-group, B1 in particular. And cats like to eat it. It is important not only as a source of vitamin supplement but it also promotes digestion. If a cat doesn't eat oats - some cats don't know how to eat oats, one should take into account that cats are predators and don't chew - then the owner should cut a tuft, hack pieces and add into the food. This is the way one can give oats to his cat. As for clover, it is not necessary for cats at all. It is quite good to get some seeds of wheat or rye. Put them in a piece of moist cloth. Wait for shoots and roots to appear. Mill or cat sprouted seeds into little particles. Give 1/4 teaspoon once a day without thermal treatment. This milled seeds contains much vitamin E. This is not instead of oats but as an addition to it.
Translated by Tatiana Karpova (Moscow)
(MSU, Biology faculture, Dep. zoology and ecology).