Wheatgrass is definitely a superfood. It belongs to the family Gramineae and possesses high chlorophyll content and essential vitamins, minerals, vital enzymes, amino acids, dietary fibres, etc.¹ Many scientific studies have demonstrated the multiple health benefits of the nutrient-dense wheatgrass not only in humans but also in pets.

These properties led to wheatgrass being included in our balancing supplements for both dogs and cats. It’s one of the reasons the balancers are high in antioxidants.

By the way, some people think that since wheatgrass is from the wheat plant, it contains gluten. However, gluten is not present in the leaves but only in the seed kernels of the wheat plant.

And, did you know this? Wheatgrass should be harvested at the jointing stage because at this stage the plant reaches its peak nutritional value; after jointing, concentrations of chlorophyll, protein, and vitamins decline sharply.²

Can Dogs and Cats Have Wheatgrass?

Yes, wheatgrass is safe for dogs and cats. They can graze on wheatgrass planted in your backyard; just make sure that the grass has not been applied with fertilisers and insecticides. You can also mix some of these healthy greens into your pet’s daily ration.

However, if you want something easy, wheatgrass is already incorporated into our balancing supplements. This makes it easier and more convenient for you to make sure that your dog or cat has their daily share of this nutrient-dense superfood.

What Makes Wheatgrass A Superfood For Dogs and Cats?

While wheatgrass has only a few calories it’s rich in chlorophyll, vitamins (A, C, and E), bioflavonoids, iron, minerals (calcium, and magnesium), and 17 amino acids, eight of which are essential. It’s also a superior source of antioxidants.These nutrients are responsible for the therapeutic benefits of wheatgrass that include:

• Prevention of diseases
• Reducing oxidative stress
• Boosting metabolism and energy storage in the body

Wheatgrass is good for digestive health

With its high fibre and magnesium content, wheatgrass promotes good digestion and bowel health. It’s rich in enzymes that aid in the digestive process, helping the body during digestion and absorption of nutrients. It can prevent constipation, as well as help relieve signs of irritable bowel syndrome, and other issues affecting the digestive tract.

Wheatgrass helps your dog or cat maintain a healthy weight

If your pet is obese or overweight, adding wheatgrass to the daily ration could also help get rid of the extra kilos. Wheatgrass is low in calories and has zero fat. It can also help boost metabolism. Being nutrient-dense and fibre-rich, it makes your dog feel fuller faster and longer, which can help in reducing cravings.

Wheatgrass can help improve cognitive function

The neuroprotective effects of wheatgrass could also help improve your dog’s overall mental function and allow for better cognition. Regular wheatgrass supplementation can help protect dogs from cognitive dysfunction and alleviate symptoms in senior dogs that are already suffering from this age-related issue.

Magnesium, which is the primary component of chlorophyll, promotes memory function which may help patients with cognitive decline.

Wheatgrass contains substantial amounts of folate that is important for the function of neurotransmitters and mental health. Folate has also been shown in studies to lower amounts of beta-amyloid plaques which have been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and may have the same effects in dogs with cognitive dysfunction.

Wheatgrass has some cancer-preventing properties

The alkaline properties of wheatgrass combined with its high antioxidant content may play a role in preventing cancer, reducing the harmful effects of chemotherapy, as well as balancing the body’s pH levels.

One of the effects of radiation therapy is inflammation. It has a positive effect on immunological parameters including alleviation of inflammatory disease symptoms.

Wheatgrass has anti-Inflammatory and antioxidant properties

Wheatgrass is rich in anti-inflammatory components that include flavonoids, superoxide dismutase (an antioxidant enzyme), vitamins A and E, and chlorophyll.

The anti-inflammatory properties of wheatgrass have been shown to alleviate symptoms of atopic dermatitis in mice⁶, as well as arthritis⁷ and inflammatory bowel disease (colitis) in human patients.⁸ The anti-inflammatory activity is attributed to the biologically active compounds and minerals in wheatgrass.

With its potent antioxidant properties, wheatgrass helps the animal’s body combat oxidative stress which plays a major role in the development of important health issues as well as aging.

Chlorophyll in wheatgrass

People sometimes refer to wheatgrass as “green blood” because of its high chlorophyll content (70%). It’s actually the chlorophyll content that gives wheatgrass products that characteristic green colour.

Chlorophyll is often referred to as “The blood of plant life” and has almost the same chemical structure as haemoglobin. Chlorophyll cleanses the blood by improving the supply of oxygen to the circulatory system. ⁹

Chlorophyll in wheatgrass can help alleviate various inflammation-related diseases, such as allergic rhinitis³, acne vulgaris, dengue⁴, and cholangiocarcinoma⁵. It can also increase the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity. Chlorophyll has also been shown to have inhibitory effects on several kinds of carcinogens which can help protect dogs from cancer.

If your dog has bad breath, chlorophyll in wheatgrass can improve digestion, improving dental issues from the inside out. Aside from the chlorophyll, chomping on wheatgrass can be a natural way to brush and floss the teeth and gums.This could be because wheatgrass has been shown to possess antibacterial activity against various pathogens.

Wheatgrass promotes detoxification

Chlorophyll and other nutrients in wheatgrass help the body eliminate toxins and impurities. These nutrients also support the function and integrity of the liver and kidneys, which are organs whose main function is detoxification.

Wheatgrass is rich in B-complex vitamins

The B-complex vitamins are water-soluble. They play crucial roles in immune system function, metabolic processes, generating energy for the body cells and tissues, regulation of endocrine gland functions, cardiac health, boosts mental function, blood sugar regulation, and a long list of other important physiological processes in the body.

B-Complex Vitamins In Wheatgrass

^{Source: Nutritional value and impact of wheatgrass juice (Green Blood Therapy) on increasing fertility in male albino rats}

Don’t have any wheatgrass in the backyard? Just add it as part of the diet, with The Allrounder balancing supplements for dogs and cats.

References:

1. Khan, MS et al. Chromatographic analysis of wheatgrass extract 2015. J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2015 Oct-Dec; 7(4): 267–271

2. Meyerowitz and Steve (1999) "Nutrition in Grass"-Wheatgrass Nature's Finest Medicine: The Complete Guide to Using Grass Foods & Juices to Revitalize Your Healthpp186-187. Healthy Living Publications.

3. Fujiwara, T et al. Efficacy of chlorophyll c2 for seasonal allergic rhinitis: single-center double-blind randomized control trial. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016 Dec; 273(12):4289-4294.

4. Azizullah A et al. Chlorophyll derivatives can be an efficient weapon in the fight against dengue. Parasitol Res. 2014 Dec; 113(12):4321-6.

5. Wu, ZM et al. Preparation of a chlorophyll derivative and investigation of its photodynamic activities against cholangiocarcinoma. Biomed Pharmacother. 2017 Aug; 92():285-292.

6. Lee JH, Ki HH, Kim DK, Lee YM. Triticum aestivum sprout extract attenuates 2,4‑dinitrochlorobenzene‑induced atopic dermatitis‑like skin lesions in mice and the expression of chemokines in human keratinocytes. Mol Med Rep. 2018 Sep; 18(3):3461-3468.

7. Bálint G et al. Effect of Avemar--a fermented wheat germ extract--on rheumatoid arthritis. Preliminary data. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2006 May-Jun; 24(3):325-8.

8. Ben-Arye E et al. Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Apr; 37(4):444-9

9. Dey, S. Effect of wheat grass juice in supportive care of terminally ill cancer patients— A tertiary cancer centre experience from India. June 2006. Journal of Clinical Oncology 24(18_suppl):8634-8634