Catnip won the job and a new friendship for Jeanne.
My friend Jeanne told me how she won the acceptance of an aloof cat once when applying for a post. It was a nursing position for a handicapped woman and applicant after applicant was turned down because the lady’s cat did not care for them. Jeanne tucked a little catnip into the cuff of her pants before going on the interview. The cat warmed right up to her and the lady warmed right up to Jeanne. Jeanne took good care of both of them until the lady passed away. Her family gave the cat to Jeanne as a present because it became so attached to her.
I entice my cats to their scratching post and away from my furniture.
In order to get my cat Cookie and Tiger to scratch on their new scratch pads when I bring them home I will sprinkle them lightly with catnip. They nibble at it then roll in it before deciding to use it as their scratching post.
As you can see Tiger has spotted his, but hers sits in front of her untouched.
Now she has noticed.
My cats are very much engrossed in the catnip. Usually the flash of the camera would send them scurrying.
They love the aroma!
Tiger is rubbing his cheek in the catnip. He wants to carry this scent with him.
Now he is rolling in it. I wish I could have photographed all the strange positions he got into. She is still bruising hers.
You can tell he was rolling in it. He has a piece in his fur. I wonder what he is saying to his mom. They were both purring quite loudly. Then they were both rolling happily on the floor; doing their catnip rock and roll.
All pictures taken by me.
Catnip Takes Root Quite Easily
In fact it takes root so easily that I brought home a few roots the other day and it took right off. It is growing quite well in a plant in my small greenhouse. I took one stem that did not take and gave it to my two cats and snapped away at them with my camera while they were quite oblivious to me. They sniffed, nibbled, rolled, sniffed, nibbled and rolled some more.
“A chemical compound called nepetalactone, the primary constituent in the essential oil of catnip, induces a harmless physiological reaction in some cats.”
Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs writes although “colonies of people did not root the catnip usually did. The Europeans brought catnip to North America when the first settled.” Catnip has long been used for its health benefits. I drink a calmative tea at night containing catnip to improve my sleep. Catnip belongs to the mint family and improves digestion.
Help Your Cat Improve Its Sense of Smell
Bill Fleming and Judy Petersen, two animal behaviorists who co-authored “The Tiger on Your Couch” advise rubbing catnip on cat toys to entice your cat to improve their sense of smell. They provide instructions for making a scratching post for your cat. Don’t forget to sprinkle on the catnip. Fleming and Petersen did warn, however that there are a few cats who do not react and some who react adversely. For those they recommended planting thyme, sage, parsley, lawn grass, chickweed, colts foot grass, wheat, and/or oats.
Catniptoys.com recommends trying honeysuckle or valerian, if catnip does not work for your cat. The chemical reaction is inherited by approximately 80% of all cats, but cats found in Southeast Asia, where catnip does not grow seem to be oblivious to the lure of catnip. Kittens are usually unaffected too, as they have not yet entered into their sexual awakening.
Instructions for Making a Scratching Post
Attach a four by four to a sturdy base; measuring the four by four so it is long enough to provide the cat with ample length to stretch fully. Be sure to securely attach it to the base being certain no nails, screws, tacks or staple protrude to catch the cat’s claws. Select carpet to cover your four by four that is sturdy but not too thick. Praise kitty for using his/her scratch post and if you decide to move it do so only a little at a time letting kitty know where you have relocated it.
To keep kitty out of your own plants dab lemon juice or Tabasco on them. Plants that can be dangerous for kitty are:
- Caladium
- Dumb cane or dieffenbachia
- Poinsettia
- Ivy
- Mistletoe
- Oleander
- Common laurel
- Cherry laurel
- Azalea
- Winter cherry
Reasons To Give Your Cat Catnip
- To encourage exercise.
- To reduce stress.
- To encourage your cat to use a scratch post and save your furniture.
- It’s fun to watch.
Other Facts You Should Know About Catnip
Store your catnip in a cool dark place. It can grow stale. Do not bring home catnip found near a rail road track, sewer, or highway because of unknown toxins. Do not put the catnip in their food and only give them a little at a time.
Cats often only nibble on the catnip to bruise it and bring out the aroma. This improves their sense of smell. Cats can become aggressive towards other cats who infringe on their territorial rights with their catnip toys, so if you have more than one cat supervise to see what their initial reaction will be.
Liked it
User Comments
Teves
On November 1, 2009 at 4:20 am
I love cats….
giftarist
On November 1, 2009 at 4:40 am
Great informative article.. Well done!
CHAN LEE PENG
On November 1, 2009 at 6:03 am
They’re cute. Both of them are your favorable pets?
Enjoy reading here too, thanks, sister!
Goodselfme
On November 1, 2009 at 7:03 am
Good for cat owners and non cat owners alike. One other plant that is harmful to cats is Lily of the valley. My kitties used to love catnip. I might get some for my boy of 13. It will make him young again.Tx for a most enjoyable read.
Christine Ramsay
On November 1, 2009 at 8:42 am
Catnip certainly seems to have a lot of interesting properties. A really good and helpful article.
Christine
Judy Sheldon
On November 1, 2009 at 10:44 am
Teves, I like your new avatar. Thanks for reading. I love cats too.
Thanks for your support, always.
Giftarist, it’s fascinating topic. Thank you for your support.
Chan, this is mother and son. If you look back at the picture posted on this site of Cookie and her kittens, you will see Tiger. He is the only one we kept. We love our cats.
Christine, I saved the human aspect for another article. Catnip is good for us too.
Take care & God bless.
Moses Ingram
On November 1, 2009 at 11:08 am
I love cats and have two at the moment. One doesn’t need catnip to go crazy lol ! It doesn’t seem to affect the other at all. Thanks for another great article.
Jenny Heart
On November 1, 2009 at 11:19 am
Great article! Catnips does wonders for cats. Great pictures!
Judy Sheldon
On November 1, 2009 at 11:38 am
Moses, so you have an energetic cat/kitten? My youngest is just growing out of that phase. He has to tackle everything that moves, including me!
Jenny, thanks for the comment. It does wonders for us too.
Take care & God bless.
crazypepo111
On November 1, 2009 at 11:49 am
i have a cat its SO CUTE! but cats always like cat nip
Judy Sheldon
On November 1, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Crazypepo111, the resources say 80% of the time they do. I have only seen one cat who didn’t out of several I’ve owned.
Thanks for the visit.
Ruby Hawk
On November 1, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Do you know babies love catnip tea as much as cats love catnip? I like the tea also. I used to grow it when I had a garden.
Jane Benitez
On November 1, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Judyl, Fantastic article and loved seeing Cookie & Tiger enjoying their catnip – really sweet.
Judy Sheldon
On November 1, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Ruby, I did know that, and so do I. lol I have some in my microwave brewing now. Thank you for your support.
Jane, thanks for your visit. My cats enjoy catnip and I enjoy watching.
Purnomosidhi
On November 1, 2009 at 10:44 pm
I love cat.. Useful info for me
Melody Arcamo Lagrimas
On November 2, 2009 at 1:45 am
Great and helpful info.
Hettie
On November 2, 2009 at 2:36 am
A friend of mine would say happy cats is a happy house hold. I have another friend who grows catnip in her garden. Hettie
Netty net
On November 2, 2009 at 6:48 am
I also a cat lover. My cat doesn’t care for catnip but thanks for article
BC Doan
On November 2, 2009 at 8:04 am
What a wonderful article, Judy! You took some beautiful pictures of Tiger and Cookie.
Judy Sheldon
On November 2, 2009 at 8:06 am
Hettie, I guess that makes sense. We are certainly happier when our cats are. They make us laugh at times.
Netty Net, you may want to try a different herb if your cat is old enough to appreciate catnip?
Thanks for visiting and God bless.
nobert soloria bermosa
On November 2, 2009 at 9:28 am
that was cool…nice as always my friend
Samantha James
On November 2, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Such useful information! Thanks for everything! Also, I like the story in the beginning about your friend putting cat nip in the cuff of her jeans. Such a great idea….
Judy Sheldon
On November 2, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Purnomosidhi & Melody, I am glad this will help you with your kitty pals.
Icy, how often do I get to take pictures of their antics? I felt privileged. lol
Nobert, thanks for your support.
Samantha James, I admire my friend for her resourcefulness.
Thanks everyone for your visit. Take care & God bless.
Deanna Lynn Sletten
On November 3, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Wonderful article, Judy. I have two cats and one goes insane for catnip, the other doesn’t even like smelling it. As always, you did a great job on this article.
Judy Sheldon
On November 3, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Deanna, it’s so nice to see you here. Thanks for the visit. Take care & God bless!
CA Johnson
On November 4, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I think this is great informationf for people who have cats. I think your cats are so cute. You did such a great job with this article, Judy.
Judy Sheldon
On November 4, 2009 at 9:56 pm
CA, thanks so much. My fur buddies were helpful too.
Dina
On January 24, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Hi. I live in South East Asia, and there’s a plant that grow wild here in the region that has roots with “catnip-like-effect”. Its Latin name is Acalypha indica L. Every single cat that I’ve given its roots grew crazy!!! It’s also called Indian Copperleaf.
Judy Sheldon
On January 25, 2010 at 12:39 am
Dina, that is fascinating. Thanks for your comment. I would love to know more about the plant. There are many species of catnip.
Post Comment