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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / November 2007Questions about catnip
I have a few questions about catnip. My cat absolutely loves catnip and I've read that not only does it relax them, but it also increases appetite on occasion. Since she sometimes eats like a bird, I feel catnip on a regular basis is beneficial to her physical and mental health. Here are a few questions: 1) Should I continue to clean the catnip before I give it to her? Cosmic Catnip contains twigs and seeds and I try to remove them before I place a pinch of catnip on a paper towel or her scratching post. I worry that she could swallow one of those twigs. Since they're thin, she probably ends up chewing them, but I still think it's safer to remove them. 2) How often should catnip be given? Some sites say about every other day. 3) Has anyone tried the catnip pellets sold by Drs. Foster and Smith? http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1360&Nty=1&Ntx=mod e+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&pc=1&N=2002&Ntt=catnip&Np=1 They definitely leave an area cleaner, and they're easier to place in furry toys. Once again, I'm worried that a cat could end up swallowing or trying to cough up one of them. 4) Is a pinch just the right amount? It's about equal to a teaspoon. On Nov 9, 3:27 pm, fem...@nospam.com wrote: > I have a few questions about catnip. My cat absolutely loves > catnip and I've read that not only does it relax them, but it [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > 4) Is a pinch just the right amount? It's about equal to a teaspoon. I let my cats have whole plants. 1 likes it, the other does not care. I dont think it is dangerous Response from femcat@nospam.com: > 1) Should I continue to clean the catnip before I give it to her? Definitely up to you. I have seen the more "natural" kinds leave a lot of "debris" such as twigs, seeds, et cetera. No biggie. > I still think it's safer to remove them. I totally agree, but unless you've read hundreds of cases of cats being harmed by cluttered catnip I wouldn't sweat it. > 2) How often should catnip be given? Some sites say about every > other day. I have done so much research on this subject it's pathetic. To sum up just a couple URL's on the matter: 1. What you are currently giving is a perfect amount -- just enough to get her acting silly. 2. Like any good thing don't overuse it -- so again I think you are doing perfectly allowing kitty a dose every other day. http://www.ugly-cat.com/2007/04/catnip-and-your-cat_30.html http://wildcatsthree.blogspot.com/2007/10/catnip-and-your-ca.html Personally, I use catnip extract or fresh catnip. Gabby is still too young for the full effect though I think because sometimes he goes silly acting all over the place and sometimes he ignores it completely. I do believe it has helped his mood considerably though. *shrugs* > 3) Has anyone tried the catnip pellets sold by Drs. Foster and > Smith? > > http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1360& > Nty=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&pc=1&N=2002&Ntt=catnip&Np=1 Not I. For whatever it's worth remember that fresh catnip has considerably more impact than dried catnip -- I imagine the same goes for a pellet. > They definitely leave an area cleaner, and they're easier to place > in furry toys. Once again, I'm worried that a cat could end up > swallowing or trying to cough up one of them. I wonder how hard they are? If not harder than standard kibble then maybe no biggie? Unless your kitty has never had dry food? > 4) Is a pinch just the right amount? It's about equal to a > teaspoon. See above. Good luck! Hope that helped at least a little.  Signature-Lost Remove the extra words to reply by e-mail. Don't e-mail me. I am kidding. No I am not. > I have a few questions about catnip. My cat absolutely loves > catnip and I've read that not only does it relax them, but it > also increases appetite on occasion. Since she sometimes > eats like a bird, I feel catnip on a regular basis is beneficial > to her physical and mental health. snip Did you know you can grow it easily if you have a balcony or garden? I dry the leaves (in the shed or the oven) and store them in jars for the winter. The plant will grow back every year, so investing in a packet of seeds will keep you in catnip for free for years. (I don't dry the stems or flowers, just the leaves.) Bobble >I have a few questions about catnip. My cat absolutely loves > catnip and I've read that not only does it relax them, but it [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Since they're thin, she probably ends up chewing them, but I still > think it's safer to remove them. Yes remove them safer than sorry. I only use the leaves > 2) How often should catnip be given? Some sites say about every other > day. Give it too them as much as you can stand. I do it when I see them starting to get into things that they should not. I takes their minds other ways > 3) Has anyone tried the catnip pellets sold by Drs. Foster and Smith? > > http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1360&Nty=1&Ntx=mod e+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&pc=1&N=2002&Ntt=catnip&Np=1 My cats like the leaves more. The pellets they seem to vomit up. > They definitely leave an area cleaner, and they're easier to place in > furry toys. > Once again, I'm worried that a cat could end up swallowing or trying to > cough up one of them. > > 4) Is a pinch just the right amount? It's about equal to a teaspoon. I take the catnip and give a good dose on each scratch board they have. I take their toys and put them in the tub and give it a good shake till they are all covered I use valerian catnip once in awhile basically crack for cats. I grow my own I take the leaves only and dry them out. Chop them up and only give them a pinch for they will literally climb the walls. Valerian is the strongest catnip available most companies mix a little in their mix. My cats liked the fresh plants, however, my Elvis ( God rest his little soul) almost choked to death on the stems one day so that was the end of fresh catnip plants.... Carol >I have a few questions about catnip. My cat absolutely loves > catnip and I've read that not only does it relax them, but it [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > 4) Is a pinch just the right amount? It's about equal to a teaspoon.
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