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You are here: Home / Archives for Featured

Featured

Ten Tips About Catnip: Legal High for Cats

August 26, 2014 by Kat Maran Leave a Comment

Tamale: caught in the catnip plant again!
Tamale: caught in the catnip plant again!

Follow these tips to give your stark raving cat the best catnip experience.

Try our special 5-Star Catnip

First, what is catnip? Call it cat weed, cat mint, or catnip, it’s the stuff that makes some cats wacky. And as with any herb, freshness matters.

What does catnip do to a cat? I’m asked this all the time, usually by spouses who tolerate a partner’s cat (or rather, the cat tolerates them). I even had a vet ask me this question. (Gaahhh! Don’t they cover catnip in vet-med schools?) Here’s what I tell them…

Mreachingforjoint

Ten Tips About Catnip 

Catnip is an herb related to mint. It’s safe and natural. Catnip works in both dried and fresh forms.

1. Catnip stimulates the pleasure-seeking pheromones in a cat’s brain. Result: Rolling, rubbing, purring, wild-eyes, racing, friskiness and frolicking – for about ten minutes, before the cat abandons the catnip. (Some cats get aggressive, so watch your fingers.) The crazy-session is followed by a crash: sedentary zoning or naptime ­– which can be handy if you want your cat to be tranquil for a spell.

2. Most cats, but not all, respond to catnip. Experts say 70-75 percent of cats inherit a “catnip gene” which makes them responsive to catnip. Kittens and cats younger than six months don’t respond to catnip. (Perhaps, like kids, they’re naturally high.)

Pookie and Catnip Joint
Video still of Pookie playing with Catnip Joint

3. Let your cat inhale! Cats get their kicks by inhaling the vapor from the catnip oil. Chewing, pawing and slobbering on a catnip toy helps release the oil’s vapor. (With our Catnip Joints, we recommend running the joint under the cat’s nose, like a fine cigar, to get them engaged, before tossing the joint in the air like prey.)

4. Stale catnip won’t work. Which is why cat toys that have been on the shelves for months lose their potency; mass-market brands often start off with cheap, inferior catnip. No wonder kitty won’t play! Don’t waste your money.

5. Smell the freshness. Catnip’s essential oil “nepetalactone” makes the magic happen, and it’s found mainly in the leaves and buds. When the oil dries out, no more magic. It’s just like the herbs in your kitchen cabinet. If your herbs or catnip don’t have aromas, throw them out. They’re duds.

6. Quality matters. Again, as with all herbs, there are weak strains of catnip and stronger ones. Soil, sun and growing conditions make a difference between “premium catnip” and inferior catnip. (At Stark Raving Cat, we use only premium catnip.)

7. Freeze dried catnip airtight to keep it fresh. This includes catnip toys. (If you buy a multi-pack of Catnip Joints, freeze a few for later use.)

Catnip Joints

8. If a catnip toy needs reviving, roll it in dried catnip (stuff that’s not stale). Don’t just sprinkle the catnip: crumble it on scratching posts or toys to release the potent oil.

9. Is catnip safe to eat? Yes, but best in small amounts. It acts like a sedative, making cats more sleepy than frisky. Large quantities may cause digestive issues. Don’t set out a platter of catnip (I’ve seen this happen on the Interweb; the cat was passed out for days.)

10. Desensitization happens. Problem: My cat stopped playing with her catnip toy. Solution: Remove catnip toys after playtime. Cats’ noses get desensitized when they’re always around catnip. Bring the toys out again in a day or so. To revive an old toy, rub loose catnip on the outside to refresh the aroma.

Catnip plants are as easy to grow as mint. But beware: your frenzied cat may crawl right into the pot! I’ve discovered Pookie nesting in the catnip plant on more than one occasion.

Or you can try our special 5-Star Catnip.

– Stark Raving Kate

tcatniprub

A Public Service Post by Tamale at StarkRavingCat.com

 

Filed Under: About Cats, Catnip and Cat Toys, Featured, Tips About Cats, Catnip and Cat Toys Tagged With: catnip, safety, tip, toy

7 Tips: How to Get Old Cats to Play

May 13, 2014 by Kat Maran 2 Comments

Geezer Wolfie at Play
Geezer Wolfie at Play

Wake Up, Geezer Cats: It’s Time to Play!

By Pookie and Wolfie, Senior Advisors

You’d probably not toss Frisbees to your great grandpa, or chase grandma around the block, so why would you do that to your old cat? (Okay, the Frisbee is a more of a dog thing, but you get the idea.)

Myth: Old Cats Won’t Play

WandGeezerGOld cats will play – if you remember that they’re old.

Don’t expect old cats to play like they used to. Arthritic joints, stiff muscles, poor eyesight and other signs of aging change how a cat is able to play.

Why play with an old cat at all? Geezer cats sleep a lot and need their rest. But just because that lump of fur hasn’t moved for hours doesn’t mean it shouldn’t play. Change how you play with your cat, and you may find regular play keeps your senior cat younger and fitter.

“Regularly engaging your cat in moderate play can promote muscle tone and suppleness, increase blood circulation, and help reduce weight in cats that are too heavy, ” according to Petfinder.com. Plus, play is a mood-booster that helps banish boredom.

Remember: old cats don’t usually initiate play. You need to be the spark that fires up their attention and interest.

Our Senior Advisors Pookie and Wolfie offer these tips for playing with older cats:

WandGeezerC41. Warm up before starting. Let the cat wake up, get the blood flowing, and stretch a little before starting to play. Best time to play: after a cat’s done grooming herself.

2. Use soft, gentle toys. Smaller toys are less intimidating and easier on the paws. Hard toys can be painful on aging teeth and gums. Good toys: soft toys that move in the air, like our Baby Batnips attached to a Telescoping Wand with Clip and Cord.

WandGeezerB23. Old cat? Old prey. Jerk the toy like prey, in short bursts, but closer to the cat’s paws. Younger cats will dart across the room, but geezers may not move off the couch. Make small movements with a toy under a blanket, towel or throw rug, as if the prey is peeping out; cats of all ages love this.

4. Let the cat win…sometimes. Cats like a challenge, but one they can occasionally conquer. Near wins are good too.

WandGeezerA35. Air-play is OK! It’s fine if just the paws play. Running and jumping is not required. Older cats may just swipe with a paw or two. Or roll on their back and play with their paws in the air. They’re still mentally and physically engaged.

6. Mood-boost before play. Scent up the toy. Catnip makes some cats frisky; and freeze-dried treats, crumbled and rubbed on the toy, can entice a cat’s sense of smell, just as prey would.

7. Know when to stop. Don’t let play turn sour. Your cat will let you know when it’s tired or annoyed, so take a time-out or try again the next day, maybe with a different toy. Keep play new and fun.

Finally, reward your cat after a “prey” capture or when a play period ends. Your affection, praise, and a treat can make your cat feel rewarded. Savor the victory together.

Our exclusive Telescoping Wand with Clip and Cord is ideal for senior cats, and fun for cats of all ages. Most of our cat toys have loops on them – tie one end of the cord to the loop and attach the other end to the wand and you’re all set for playtime!

Filed Under: About Cats, Catnip and Cat Toys, Featured, Tips About Cats, Catnip and Cat Toys Tagged With: catnip, old cat, tip, toy, wand

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Springtime Happiness

Glow in the Dark Kicker
Top photo: Angel shows the proper technique for using our Glow in the Dark Kicker (photo by @mochikit on Instagram). Middle photo: Paisley inspects a Screeming Meemie (photo by @kpnabbers on IG). Bottom: Ginger Baby with Catnip Candle Birthday Card (photo by @charlieandginger on IG).

kpnabbers-Paisley with Meemie
Ginger Baby & Catnip Birthday Card

On Instagram

  • by starkravingcat 5 days ago
    From Tamale to T-Bunny: same day, one year apart. Both in the same part of the yard. T-Bunny is a regular part of our lives now. The first thing I do when I get up is to see if she’s around. Usually she is. Or shows up within the hour. She’s always here in the evenings, too. And usually she’s around in the afternoon, either in the yard or out with Catdad in his garden area. We’ve grown very fond of this little bunny. I think she may be the same bunny in the last video, with Tamale last fall.
  • by starkravingcat 2 days ago
    I thought Tamale was cute with the bunny, but OMG! Otto here is the cutest! Repost  @norilynfox  : Otto loves his bunny from  @starkravingcat  ♥️ STOCK ALERT: only 8 Bunny & Carrot sets left. See profile for shop links.  #bunnycarrotcattoy   #bunnycattoy   #carrotcattoy   #bunnysrc  StarkRavingCat: Handmade  #catnip   #cattoys  and more. For your  #catmom ,  #catdad ,  #catlover ,  #instacat , from  #starkravingranchito   #Austin   #atx   #austintxlife   #txhillcountry   #etsy   #etsyshop   #starkravingcat   #angeltamaleceo   #catvideo   #cutecatvideo 
  • by starkravingcat 3 days ago
    Watch: Kissies from one cat to another, and then on to a Beach Baby Mother’s Day is May 9, so I found some cute baby (Catnip Beach Baby) photos to share. My favorite, of course, is Tamale with her pink seahorse, and I also love all these shots. Happy Purrsday, buddies! Catnip Beach Babies: 10 different toys including octopus, whale, dolphin, lobster, seahorse, starfish and more. Collect them all!  #CatnipBeachBabies  . StarkRavingCat.com: Small batch artisanal cat toys and hip handmade gifts. For your  #catmom ,  #catdad ,  #catlover ,  #starkravingcat ,  #instacat , from  #Austin   #etsy   #etsyshop   #etsysuccess   #catnip   #catniptoys   #catgift   #catlovergift   #catmomgift   #tamaleceo   #angeltamaleceo 
  • by starkravingcat 3 days ago
    Catmoms are the best moms! I designed this card featuring vintage Victorian scrap from my artist-mom’s stash. Swipe to see some other Mother’s Day gifties (including cute pins, and Love Bites hearts). I’m also working on some new cat earrings but I’ll share those in a post nest week. Happy Purrsday!  #catmomsarethebestmoms   #lovebitescatniphearts   #catmomcard   #pinkbutterflycattoy  StarkRavingCat: Handmade  #catnip   #cattoys   #catgifts   #catpins  . For your  #catmom ,  #catdad ,  #catlover ,  #instacat , from  #Austin   #atx   #austintxlife   #txhillcountry   #etsy   #etsyshop   #starkravingcat   #angeltamale   #angeltamaleceo 
  • by starkravingcat 5 days ago
    Our guitar kicker puts the roll in rock n roll ... No one rocks the house quite like  @fur_babyz  Rock ‘n, roll!  #guitarkicker   #catnipguitar   #guitarkickstick   #guitarcattoysrc  .  #AngelTamaleCEO  and StarkRavingCat: hip toys, gifts, ornaments, earrings, and kickers for cats and cat lovers, at  #starkravingcat  online and on Etsy, from  #Austin   #ATX   #txhillcountry   #starkravingranchito   #etsy   #etsyshops  See link in bio
  • by starkravingcat 1 day ago
    Yesterday’s birthday cards from Catdad. Every holiday, Thomas cobbles together cards with a personal touch. There’s also a lovely card in this sequence from my brother and family, of a scallion-wearing duck (!), and gorgeous ranunculus from them. It was a good week too: got our 2nd Pfizer shots Missing Tamale at the party this year, she is always in our hearts and minds. And now we have T-Bunny —  #tbunnysrc  —to keep us company. Thanks for all the good birthday wishes!
  • by starkravingcat 4 days ago
    Angel can’t wait - she attacks our fruits and veggies right in the bag Repost  @mochikit  I'll show you how much Angel is crazy about  @starkravingcat  cat toys!  #starkravingcat   #fruitsnveggiescatniptoys   #fruitsnveggiescattoys   #fruitsandveggiescattoys   #carrotcattoy   #avocadocattoy   #strawberrycattoy  StarkRavingCat: Handmade  #catnip   #cattoys   #catgifts   #catpins  . For your  #catmom ,  #catdad ,  #catlover ,  #instacat , from  #Austin   #atx   #austintxlife   #txhillcountry   #etsy   #etsyshop   #starkravingcat   #angeltamale   #angeltamaleceo 
  • by starkravingcat 2 days ago
    When in doubt, make soup... Or salad Or a strawberry smoothie with your tail Bon appetit! (Hey, Food Network: Angel is ready to compete! ‍) Repost  @mochikit  CHEF ANGEL WANTS TO COOK. BUT SHE DOESN’T KNOW WHAT SHE CAN DO WITH THESE @STARKRAVINGCAT ‍  #starkravingcat   #fruitsnveggiescatniptoys   #fruitsnveggiescattoys   #fruitsandveggiescattoys   #carrotcattoy   #avocadocattoy   #strawberrycattoy  StarkRavingCat: Handmade  #catnip   #cattoys   #catgifts   #catpins  . For your  #catmom ,  #catdad ,  #catlover ,  #instacat , from  #Austin   #atx   #austintxlife   #txhillcountry   #etsy   #etsyshop   #starkravingcat   #angeltamale   #angeltamaleceo 
  • by starkravingcat 6 days ago
    After a busy weekend filling Easter baskets, T-Bunny worked up an appetite! Have a wonderful rest of the week, cats, wabbits and humans  #tbunnysrc  StarkRavingCat: Handmade  #catnip   #cattoys   #catgifts   #catpins  . For your  #catmom ,  #catdad ,  #catlover ,  #instacat , from  #Austin   #atx   #austintxlife   #txhillcountry   #etsy   #etsyshop   #starkravingcat   #angeltamale   #angeltamaleceo 
  • by starkravingcat 5 days ago
    Tongue out with Catnip Mangling: Tamale even punches the catnip plant swipe for the video. Happy Tuesday! Enjoy Angel Tamale Here’s to feeling good today! .  #catniphigh   #tamaleceo   #tamalecandoit   #toughasnailstamale   #tamalestrong   #TamaleCEO  and  #StarkRavingCat : toys and cat lover gifts Handmade at  #starkravingranchito   #txhillcountry  near  #Austin  StarkRavingCat shop link in bio, or find us on  #etsy   #etsyshops   #tamaletonguetuesday   #tamaletuesday   #angeltamale   #angeltamaleceo   #catvideo   #cutecatvideo   #catoncatnip 

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