That means even people like me without a green thumb can probably manage it. You can clip the leaves and hang them to dry in a dark space to have your own stash of catnip on hand. Store it in a baggie in the fridge so it stays potent longer. The active ingredient in catnip is an essential oil called nepetalactone say that 10 times fast! So, what exactly does catnip do to cats?
Your cat might get nutty for about ten or fifteen minutes and then wander away for a nap. Once a cat has partaken of the catnip, it takes a couple of hours before they can be affected by it again. Catnip can make cats meow, purr, growl, roll on the ground, zip about, and even drool. Sniffing catnip has more of a stimulant effect, whereas eating it is more likely to make a cat all sorts of relaxed and sleepy. Some cats can react to catnip with mild aggression, such as low growling or swatting.
If you have more than one cat in the house, you should consider giving it to only one cat at a time to avoid potential fights and definitely keep an eye on them during their trip. Interestingly enough, not all cats are affected by catnip. Kittens under two or three months old are also not likely to react to catnip, and older cats can be less prone to having a reaction—although my Zoe flies in the face of that one!
However, if they eat a lot of the fresh or dried catnip leaves, they can get an upset tummy along with vomiting or diarrhea. Zoe once jumped up on the bed only to roll right off the other side—and she did not land on her feet! In any case, catnip should be offered in moderation as an occasional, fun treat for your cat. Another reason not to go overboard on catnip is that it tends to lose its effect with too much use. While catnip is safe for cats, there are plenty of plants that can cause problems, ranging from a minor stomachache to sudden kidney failure.
See the list of 25 plants that are toxic to cats. Buy loose catnip. Catnip is more or less potent in different forms, depending on the level of nepetalactone present. When you buy loose catnip, look for kinds that have fewer stems than leaves and blossoms. The latter contain more of the chemical and have a stronger effect.
If you buy loose catnip, be sure to store it in a sealed container. Put the container in a high cupboard away from your cats. Purchase a catnip spray. For a lighter concentration of catnip, purchase a spray, which will have lower levels of nepetalactone a cat attracting chemical compound. Catnip spray can be used to steer your cat towards certain toys or furniture in an effort to keep it away from others e. Look for a spray that contains all-natural ingredients, and no chemicals or preservatives.
Grow fresh catnip. Buy a catnip plant to have a constant, fresh supply of the herb, or grow catnip indoors. If you have a garden, grow catnip plants outdoors. Make sure plants get plenty of sunlight and moisture.
Cut off leaves as needed to give to your cat to chew, paw at, rub against, or eat. Freeze catnip. To preserve the effectiveness of catnip, store it in the freezer. Freezing will prevent the herb's essential oil from drying up, which would reduce the effectiveness of the herb. Place catnip in a freezer bag or plastic container and seal it firmly before freezing it.
Remove catnip from the freezer and thaw when needed. Method 2. Buy refillable toys. Instead of buying toys that are already filled or scented with catnip, purchase refillable toys at a pet store or online. Pre-filled toys may contain low-quality catnip that will lose its effectiveness quickly.
You can fill refillable toys with good quality, organic catnip and continually replace it to make sure that the herb is always potent enough to have an effect on your cat. Make a simple sock toy. Make a simple catnip toy using a clean, stray sock. Add a pinch or two of catnip to the sock and seal it tightly with a knot. Replace catnip every week or so to ensure that it is potent. Roll up a simple paper ball. Cats often amuse themselves by playing with everyday household items, so stick to the basics when giving catnip toys to your cat.
Put a pinch of catnip in fresh, dried, pellet, or flake form into a small paper bag. Crush it into a tight ball for your cat to play with. Method 3. Observe your cat's reaction. Your cat's reaction to catnip should happen very quickly after it smells it one or two sniffs of catnip is sometimes enough to evoke a "high" in your pet.
You could also try a different plant. Many cats enjoy toys stuffed with catnip. A sealed, airtight container containing loose catnip is a great place to keep toys between play sessions. To quickly refresh an older toy, you can use a catnip spray—but keep in mind that not all sprays are equally effective. Look for a spray with high amounts of nepetalactone oil, advises Powell. This treat can come in handy for training , too.
If you want to encourage your cat to use a new scratching post, bed or carrier, try rubbing some catnip on it, says Powell. The smell may cause your pet to associate the new object with something positive. When using catnip as a training aid, keep in mind that it most likely won't work on its own. Catnip is nontoxic to cats. I have two cats. One cat seems to really enjoy catnip and the other doesn't seem to be affected by it.
Why is this? Catnip Nepeta cataria is a plant in the mint family that grows wild as a weed Some scents cause strong positive reactions in humans. Hot apple pie. Quality perfumes. But none approach the power of catnip to influence our feline pets. That's because human brains are Catnip is an herb that is related to mint.
It has a chemical in it nepetalactone that causes cats to become 'high' when they sniff it. The cat's experience has been described as similar to
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