Catnip or catfish is a herbaceous plant such as mint that contains nepetalactone, a chemical that triggers a feeling of euphoria or “hangover” in cats. You can buy high-quality catnip in plant form, dried leaves or stalks, powder or flakes, pellets, or sprays. If you wish, you can also grow and breed this plant yourself. Buy toys that can be filled with food or other objects as containers for fresh catnip, or make simple toys for your pussy to play with. Observe her behavior and be careful how much catnip you give her. If necessary, use catnip to help you train your cat.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Buying and Storing Catnip
Step 1. Purchase organic catnip
When purchasing catnip, choose a brand or product that is grown or grown organically. Apart from being free from pesticides and chemicals, organic catnip is also usually fresher and more effective than lower quality catnip. Organic catnip is usually sold in the form of fresh plants, dried leaves or stalks, powder or flakes, pellets, oils, and sprays.
Step 2. Purchase dried catnip leaves
Catnip has varying strengths in different forms, depending on the level of nepetalactone contained in the plant. When buying dried catnip leaves, choose a product that contains fewer stalks than the leaves and flowers. The leaves and flowers of catnip contain more chemicals, giving them a stronger effect.
- Dried catnip can be safely chewed or swallowed by cats, and can be put in toys, or simply sprinkled around the pussy play area in small amounts (about one tablespoon 15 grams).
- If you buy dried catnip leaves, make sure you store them in a sealed container. Place this container on a high shelf out of reach of cats.
Step 3. Purchase catnip spray
For products with a lighter concentration, choose a catnip spray that contains lower levels of nepetalactone (a cat attracting chemical). This spray can be used to direct the pussy to certain toys or furniture to keep it from getting close to other objects (eg you can spray it on the cat's bed to keep the pussy from coming near the couch). Look for spray products that are made from 100% natural ingredients, and do not contain chemicals or preservatives.
Step 4. Plant fresh catnip
Purchase catnip plants so you always have a stock of fresh herbs, or grow catnip plants indoors. If you have a garden at home, you can grow these plants outdoors. Make sure the plant gets plenty of sun and moisture. Pick or cut the leaves as needed to give your cat so the pussy can bite, touch, rub, or eat them.
Fresh catnip leaves can be dried or stored for later use
Step 5. Freeze catnip
To maintain the effectiveness of catnip, store the product in the refrigerator. By freezing it, the herbal essential oil will not dry out and so the effectiveness of the herbs will not decrease. Store catnip in a freezer bag or plastic container, then seal the bag or container tightly before freezing the herbs. Remove the catnip from the freezer and warm if necessary.
Method 2 of 3: Giving Catnip Toys to Pussy
Step 1. Buy a stuffed cat toy
Instead of toys that have been stuffed or scented with catnip, buy toys that can be filled with objects from a pet store or the internet. Toys that are filled with catnip sometimes contain low-quality catnip which quickly loses its effectiveness. You can fill the toys with high-quality organic catnip and replace them regularly to ensure the herbs always have a strong enough effect on the pussy.
Step 2. Make a simple toy out of socks
You can make a simple catnip toy using a clean foot cloth. Tuck a pinch or two of catnip into the sock and lock the sock in a knot. Change catnip weekly to keep the effect strong.
Alternatively, sew the sock opening with a needle and thread
Step 3. Make a simple paper ball
Cats often entertain themselves by playing with things in the house. Therefore, use simple toys when you want to give catnip toys to the pussy. Place a pinch of catnip (in the form of fresh, dried leaves, pellets, or powder) in a small paper bag. After that, roll the paper bag into a solid ball that your pussy can play with.
Tighten the ball of the paper bag so the cat doesn't open it easily
Method 3 of 3: Observing Pussy Behavior
Step 1. Observe the reaction of the pussy
Your cat's reaction to catnip will appear as soon as he sniffs it (one or two sniffs are sometimes enough to make the pussy "drunk"). However, keep in mind that a cat's sensitivity to catnip is hereditary, and one in two cats will not react to the herb at all. However, if the pussy reacts, you can see it:
- Sniffing
- Snoring
- Licking and biting catnip
- Rubbing her chin and cheeks
- Rubbing his body on objects (eg carpet)
Step 2. Limit catnip feeding to cats
If you give your cat catnip too often, the effects may wear off (in this case, the pussy will be immune to its effects). Therefore, try giving catnip to your cat once a week to maintain the euphoria or effect he feels from the herbs (usually lasts for 5-15 minutes). It may take a maximum of two hours for the behavior of the pussy to return to normal, at which time, the pussy will not be susceptible to the effects of catnip.
Sometimes, limiting the use of catnip has no effect. About 30% of cats show no reaction to catnip, and kittens usually don't react to catnip until they are 12 weeks old
Step 3. Use catnip in practice
If your pussy is used to scratching furniture or other important objects in the house, use catnip to train her not to show this habit. Purchase a catnip spray from a pet store or the internet, then spray on a paw pole for the pussy. When your pussy feels like clawing, it will use the surface of the claw post you've sprayed on, instead of going over to the couch or kitchen counter.
