| Did you know that catnip can be used to improve | | | | frightened cat become more confident. You may |
| your cat's behavior? That is, if your cat is in the | | | | be bringing home a new cat which you have just |
| two thirds of the feline population which possess | | | | bought that is timid or perhaps have rescued a |
| the inherited gene responsible for producing the | | | | scared one from a cat rescue shelter. Catnip will |
| classic feline reaction to catnip. | | | | almost always help them to react in a more |
| The 'catnip effect' is caused by a volatile oil in the | | | | positive and friendly way. It will be easier to get |
| stems and leaves containing the chemical | | | | them to play with you which is a great start to |
| Nepetalactone.This chemical appears to minimize a | | | | making them feel at home with you and less |
| cat's inhibition. It creates a feeling of euphoria that | | | | anxious. |
| can last about fifteen minutes. However, catnip is | | | | 3.Catnip can make even the laziest of cats jump |
| very safe for cats, with no side effects, and is | | | | and play, so if you are trying to encourage a cat |
| not addictive at all. Overuse of catnip, though, can | | | | to play more and be more active, (perhaps after |
| cause a cat to eventually become immune to the | | | | an illness) try some toys containing catnip. Cat |
| effects. | | | | toys containing fresh catnip are more effective |
| The "catnip effect" | | | | than ones which have been around for a while. |
| When a responsive cat comes into contact with | | | | The fresher the catnip, the more the reaction. |
| catnip, she will sniff it, lick it, roll in it, bite it and rub | | | | 4. If you have more than one cat in your home |
| her head and chin against it repeatedly, purring, | | | | be careful not to introduce catnip to them all at |
| growling or meowing, and even leaping about. | | | | the same time. Some males may have a |
| Many of these movements imitate those seen | | | | tendency to cross the line from friendly play to |
| when a cat is in heat, leading to one theory that | | | | dominant aggression while they are under the |
| catnip is a female feline aphrodisiac. However, the | | | | influence of catnip. By keeping them separated, |
| fact that male and female cats react in the same | | | | you can assess the effects of catnip on each one |
| way to catnip casts doubt on this. | | | | and avoid any possible confrontations. If they |
| Using catnip to improve behaviour problems | | | | react in a friendly manner, then they can all play |
| 1.Catnip is excellent at relieving stress and tension. | | | | with catnip together. |
| This makes it a very useful tool in dealing with | | | | To conclude, remember not to overuse catnip or |
| stressful situations you may have to place your | | | | the effects will eventually diminish as your kitty |
| cat in. Examples of this would be taking your cat | | | | becomes immune. Catnip is easy to grow, so use |
| in the car with you, moving house, or perhaps | | | | fresh catnip in catnip toys as much as possible. |
| having company in the house that frightens your | | | | Although, even after a catnip toy has lost the |
| kitty ( like small children when your pet is unused | | | | catnip odour cats will still play with them, but |
| to them) Catnip will help in any situation where | | | | more from habit. Catnip is a herb which is |
| your cat is uneasy. | | | | harmless and non-addictive to cats, both wild and |
| 2.Catnip can be used to help a very timid or | | | | domesticated. |