catnip (nepeta cataria)

Advantages: legal recreational drug for cats
Disadvantages: plants may die from overuse by addicted cats

...have the possibility to grow catnip in you garden, do it! Your cat will be delighted - and you as the gardener will take delight in its little blue or sometimes white or light pink blossoms. But beware for your cat‘s sake to grow the right plant: Catnip (nepeta cataria) and „catmint" (nepeta fassenii) are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are two different perennial plants of the mint family. Catmint grows in soft mounds up to ...
...blue blossoms. The real Catnip however grows higher, at least 3 feet (up to 120 cm) high and looks more than balm-mint (melissa officinalis), having white or light pink blossoms. It has square stems in cross-section, opposite and fragrant gray-green to green leaves, small flowers in tight clusters at the ends of branches which produce four tiny, dark nutlets per flower. I mean it COULD grow that high - if my cats let them grow... Every year I try ... Read review

Advantages: Attractive, cats love the scent.
Disadvantages: Cats love the scent!

...How to grow it Catnip is a perennial herb, which is a member of the mint family. The perennial part means that it will grow back each year if the winter is not too severe. Start off by buying a packet of catnip seeds from your local garden centre and sow them outdoors in the early spring in a sunny spot. Make sure you get “ordinary” catnip, rather than one of the ornamental varieties as these just won’t get your pussy high. Once they germinate, ...
...does to cats Dried catnip is often used to stuff cat toys, and anyone who owns a cat will probably know the hilarious response that they have to this stuff. The active ingredient is nepetalactone, which appears to be a feline euphoric / aphrodisiac. It’s the actual smell than triggers a response, not ingestion. You can also buy catnip essential oil as a spray, and I treat my cats to a regular squirt on their scratching post to keep them off the ... Read review

Advantages: several medicinal uses
Disadvantages: none to my knowledge

CATNIP Nepeta Cataria Also known as: cat-mint Have you ever seen a cat high on this stuff? I have and it really was an interesting sight. My ex brother in law bought a bag home for the cats and made the mistake of leaving it on the side when he went out. By the time we all got back into the house there was catnip everywhere and the cat was tearing round like something gone crazy. They totally love this stuff. So if you do plan to grow it yourself ...
...mild herb suited to children. Catnip has several active components which are; iridoids, tannins and volatile oils. Which gently soothe and sedate the stomach and nerves. I have used this on the kids before long journeys. It works well for them and they rather like the fresh lightly minty taste of it. I generally serve it to them as an iced tea, which goes down rather well with them. You can generally find it on sale dried at health shops. Or you ... Read review

sparkipuss.com sell pure nepeta cataria, and it's certified organic which apparently means that it has much higher levels of the active ingredient Nepetelactone - this stuff drives my cats wild! My dudes love the stuff and they have a regular morning routine, where their catnip cushions get licked, kicked and thrown around - it's about the only exercise they get! I think regular access to catnip makes for happy cats :-)

Advantages: Stimulates and encourages play, followed by relaxation
Disadvantages: Effect wears off if used too often in a short period of time

...! It contains 20g of powder, which I find lasts for about 10 goes. The product This brand is a powder, unlike most other brands that I have tried, which look like dried herbs. My cats have no particular preference over the powder/dried herb variety, but the one advantage of the powder is that it makes less obvious mess. The latin name for catnip is nepeta cataria and it is apparently different from valerian (which I didn't know), which cats also like. According to my vet, catnip is completely safe for cats to use. The effect My cats go wild for this stuff. I only have to shake the container and they come running. They usually start by sniffing, licking and rolling in it, followed by a period of racing around like mad things. This is then usually followed by sleepiness. Apparently not all cats are affected by catnip, although my... Read review

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