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