Barley
Hordeum vulgare · Poaceae
How it looks
An annual grass reaching 30–120 cm. The leaves are narrow and hairless, and the dried seed heads are also used in arrangements. For pets it is grown from seed and used as young shoots.
No toxicity data available
Barley is not listed in the ASPCA's toxic plants list for cats, and NC State Extension has no toxicity data for it either. With no confirmed evidence either way, we cannot call it safe — exercise caution if your cat has access to it.
Guide for parents
Barley has no official toxicity data, so it is hard to say for certain whether it is safe.
The same species is sold both as a human health food and as cat grass. Since "cat grass" is a catch-all for oat, wheat, and barley shoots, the packaging is the only way to know which one you bought.
That people eat the crop is not evidence about cats. The absence of a pet-specific toxicity assessment still stands.
Young shoots are soft and easy to chew, but a large amount at once can bring on vomiting. If you do offer it, keep each amount small and clear away any shoots that soften or mold. If vomiting repeats or appetite drops, contact your vet.
Details
- Scientific name
- Hordeum vulgare
- Common name
- Barley
- Family
- Poaceae
- Source
- No confirmed source — not listed by ASPCA or NC State Extension
Also known as
Related plants
Same plant family· Poaceae
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