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You are here: Home / About Cats, Catnip and Cat Toys / Ten Tips About Catnip: Legal High for Cats

Ten Tips About Catnip: Legal High for Cats

August 26, 2014 by Kat Maran Leave a Comment

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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

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Chase Away the Winter Blues

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

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  • by starkravingcat 2 days ago
    Elephants! symbols of strength, wisdom, luck, responsibility... and spirit guides on journeys that require patience. In times like these, bring them on, right?!  #elephantstrong   #tamalestrong  . I bought these tiny Thai elephants a few years ago but never had a chance to list them. The elephant is the national animal of Thailand, and now an endangered species. Tamale liked this little elephant, as you can see here. They shared a lot of the same characteristics: strong, gentle, wise, and caring. ☯️ Happy humpday, furrends! . . .  #tamaleangel   #angeltamale   #angeltamaleceo   #tamaleceo  .  #TamaleCEO  and  #StarkRavingCat : unique toys and gifts Handmade
  • by starkravingcat 5 days ago
    Angel has the munchies. Happy Sunday Funday, with Catnip Joints and our favorite party animal Repost  @mochikit : Hi I’m high! Premium catnip joints from  @starkravingcat   #starkravingcat   #catnipjoint   #catnipjoints   #catnipjointssrc   #siamese   #bluepointsiamese   #siamesecat   #siamesecatsofinstagram   #siameseworld   #siamese_feature   #siamese_love_   #meezer   #cats_of_instagram   #ilovemycat   #catstocker   #catstagram   #instacat   #catlover   #meowbox  . StarkRavingCat See webshop link in bio ☑️ Small batch artisanal  #catnip   #cattoys   #catnipjoints . For your  #catmom ,  #catdad ,  #instacat , from  #Austin   #austintxlife   #etsy   #etsyshop   #TamaleCEO 
  • by starkravingcat 6 days ago
    Feel like screaming? Cheer up with this epic battle “Angel vs Screaming Meemies” Repost  @mochikit   #starkravingcat   #screamingmeemiessrc   #screamingmeemiescattoy   #screamingmeemies   #siamese   #bluepointsiamese   #siamesecat   #siamesecatsofinstagram   #siameseworld   #siamese_feature   #siamese_love_   #meezer   #cats_of_instagram   #ilovemycat  .  #screamingmeemies  by... StarkRavingCat: Handmade  #catnip   #cattoys   #catgifts   #catcards . For your  #catmom ,  #catdad ,  #catlover ,  #instacat , from  #Austin   #atx   #austintxlife   #txhillcountry   #etsy   #etsyshop   #whatisevenhappening 
  • by starkravingcat 4 days ago
    Snow Throwback to 16-yr old Tamale, on Dec 8, 2017, testing the snow in yard and on steps... and ending in cozy warm snuggles indoors: Maybe....? Nope. Nope. Nope. ❄️ Tamale, our woodland-creature cat, is too old to enjoy this morning's rare snowstorm in Central Texas. Our 20-year old man Wolfie was raised in the mountains and wouldn't even put a toe into the white stuff. But they both loved snow when they were young and spry. ❄️❄️❄️  #tamaleangel   #angeltamale   #angeltamaleceo   #tamalestrong   #catvideo   #cutecatvideo   #tamaleceovideo   #austintexassnow2017   #austintexassnow   #texashillcountrysnow  ❄️❄️ .  #TamaleCEO  and  #StarkRavingCat : unique toys and gifts Handmade at  #starkravingranchito 
  • by starkravingcat 3 days ago
    LOVE this: If you’re in Salt Lake City, pick up our Original Catnip Joints at Tinker’s Cat Cafe... and while you’re at it, take home a cat to go with! Thank you Tinker’s: we hope every cat gets a forever home. Repost  @tinkerscatcafe : Little Lion on catnip . Thanks  @starkravingcat  for the cat joint .  #catcafe   #catnip   #catsoncatnip   #lionkitty   #catlover   #coffeeandcats   #adoptdontshop   #slc   #utah  . .  #StarkRavingCat : hip toys,  #catnipjoints , and gifts for cats and cat lovers, at  #starkravingcat  online and on Etsy, from  #Austin   #etsy   #etsyshops  See link in bio  #catgift   #catgifts   #catlovergift   #tinkerscatcafe   #catvideo   #cutecatvideo 
  • by starkravingcat 5 days ago
    Cousin Lily’s first snow ❄️ in Austin, TX. She’s still a puppy and this may be the only snow she ever sees - or at least the most snow. We rarely get even a flurry. Swipe: 2nd video is earlier, when Lily was first introduced to the snow—she did not embrace it. But she did lick it. Swipe for shots at our Wimberley house including peach blossoms covered in snow ❄️ . The last time it snowed like this was in 2017, and Tamale left paw prints in the snow. . ❄️❄️ .  #austintexassnow2021   #austinsnow  . .  #StarkRavingCat : unique toys
  • by starkravingcat 15 hours ago
    Dress up your pet day? Our pets were never really down with this - swipe to see my feeble attempts with Wolfie and Tamale over the years. Kudos to all our furrends who have mastered the art of pet costuming: we envy your skills! Happy #dressupyourpetday  ! ‍⬛ . .  #TamaleCEO  and StarkRavingCat: hip toys, earrings, and gifts for cats and cat lovers, at  #starkravingcat  online and on Etsy, from  #Austin   #ATX   #etsy   #etsyshops  See link in bio  #catgift   #catgifts   #catlovergift   #catnipjoint   #catnipjoints   #angeltamale   #starkravingwolfie 
  • by starkravingcat 4 days ago
    Angel is asking the aliens to rescue us. Repost:  @mochikit  : . Communicating with aliens  @starkravingcat   #starkravingcat   #glowindarkcatkicker   #glowindarkcatnipkickstick   #catkickersrc   #siamese   #bluepointsiamese   #siamesecat   #siamesecatsofinstagram   #siameseworld   #siamese_feature   #siamese_love_   #meezer   #cats_of_instagram   #ilovemycat   #catstocker   #catstagram   #instacat   #catlover   #meowbox  . Glow-in-the Dark Catnip Kicker! “I want to believe” says it all, right? Who’s ready to blast off? . .  #glowindarkcatkicker   #glowindarkcatnipkickstick   #catkickersrc   #spacecat   #spacecatkicker   #xfilescattoy   #iwanttobelieve  . .  #TamaleCEO  and StarkRavingCat: hip gifts for cats and cat lovers, at  #starkravingcat  online and on Etsy, from  #Austin   #ATX   #etsy   #etsyshops  See link in bio
  • by starkravingcat 23 hours ago
    Tamale was fond of this Pink Butterfly. It may be winter, but butterflies always make us think of spring. And hope. And rebirth. Yass! Time for change. And catnip. .  #pinkbutterflycattoy  . .  #TamaleCEO  and StarkRavingCat: hip toys, earrings, and gifts for cats and cat lovers, at  #starkravingcat  online and on Etsy, from  #Austin   #ATX   #etsy   #etsyshops  See link in bio  #catgift   #catgifts   #catlovergift   #catnipjoint   #catnipjoints 
  • by starkravingcat 2 days ago
    There is something so sweet and tender about this semi-feral girl, quietly immersing herself into our catnip joint. She seems quite content, putting her whole head and body into it. Thanks to  @deb .mings ... Repost: Almost 8 year old Bea, still feral, loves catnip and especially loves her catnip joint! . .  #TamaleCEO  and StarkRavingCat: hip toys, earrings, and gifts for cats and cat lovers, at  #starkravingcat  online and on Etsy, from  #Austin   #ATX   #etsy   #etsyshops  See link in bio  #catgift   #catgifts   #catlovergift   #catnipjoint   #catnipjoints 

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