Here is an article written by one of our dedicated SHAID writer and volunteer, Sandy. Her articles are weekly published in the local newspapers, The Bulletin and the Log. Thank you to Sandy and the newpapers people for their generosity and continued support. Cl. - CATNIP - Also known as catmint, nepeta cataria, is an herb that can bring out new aspects of your feline’s personality. It can stimulate pleasure and play. Many cats go bonkers from a small whiff of the pungent leaves. Nepeta cataria is a kind of mint. It is easy to grow and has the typical mint family square stem, coarse-toothed leaves and has small purple flowers. It usually grows to about three feet tall, but I have grown it in my Lunenburg garden to a height of six feet. My cats actually eat the leaves and so I am careful to fertilize it with organic compost only – no chemicals. The plant is hardy to Zone 3. You can buy plants from a nursery or grow it easily from seed. It is best to grow it in a spot where it won’t be “prematurely harvested” by your cats or neighbourhood ones. I once planted one in my front garden and when I got up in the morning, the catnip plant and the flowers around it were flattened. Obviously I provided the favours for a great cat party. Once cats smell the herb, they will often start rubbing themselves against the plant or leaves/stems. They will roll on the ground, pawing and licking it. Many, like mine, will chew and sometimes swallow it. After interacting with the plant, common behaviours include drooling, sleepiness, anxiety, extreme playfulness/running around and purring. Some may become aggressive and start growling or hissing. The initial response period is usually between five and fifteen minutes and the kitty will be sensitive to some more nip after about two hours. Some cats however, don’t care about it at all and kittens aren’t generally affected by it until six to nine months of age. The active ingredient in catnip is called nepetalactone. It enters your cat’s body through the nose and binds to his olfactory receptors. Nepetalactone triggers the part of the feline brain that also responds to pheromones – happy hormones. Some cats do not have the gene that makes them sensitive to it and so, no matter their age, will never react to it. Catnip is thought of as a feline drug and some cat owners wonder if it is safe to give it to their cat or whether they could give too much. Small doses do no harm and can be good for your cat’s emotional health as it can help him relieve stress and nervous energy. If catnip causes your cat to become aggressive, do not keep giving it to him. He could hurt a family member or other household pet. You may notice that some brands of catnip are much cheaper than others at the store. Sometimes catnip is diluted with straw or is grown with chemical fertilizers. Buying an organic name brand at a higher price may get you a better quality, safer product and growing your own will guarantee a fresh product for your cat and you will know how and where it was grown. My cats also love it fresh picked instead of dried. Treat your kitty to a little catnip and maybe he will treat you to a show of some funny antics. Shaid is open DAILY from 11am till 3pm. You can also see our current animals for adoption at shaid.ca on the “Our Pets” tab. You can visit us on Facebook, just search for Shaid Tree Animal Shelter and LIKE our page to get all our updates.
Posted on: Wed, 22 Jan 2014 13:35:23 +0000
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