Cat Nip and Cat Nip Toys - A Primer
Cat nip belongs to the family Lamiaceae of the flowering plants.
The scientific name of the plant is Nepeta cataria.
The plant contains a chemical called nepetalactone which has very interesting effects on cats.
It is believed that the chemical stimulates the pheromone receptors of the cat creating a sensation of euphoria.
Pheromone receptors are stimulated with chemicals which act through the sense of smell.
The plant can be thus used to make aromatic cat nip toys that can be great for the recreation of the cat.
The sensitivity is genetically determined.
Some cats are not attracted to the aroma of the herb while others go totally crazy for it.
The effect lasts for a few minutes and the cat then resumes normal activity.
Typically, a cat under the influence of the herb, rubs itself all over it, rolls around it, paws it, licks it and even may eat it.
Though, the behaviors can be quite pronounced suggesting the strong effects of the plant, it is quite harmless and non-toxic.
Cat nip toys contain dried leaves and a sturdy pouch to hold this aromatic product.
Seeds or small cat nip plants can be obtained from gardening supply or pet stores.
This enables to grow cat nip at home.
The pouch can be made up of many different items ranging from animal pelts to synthetic fibers to even old unusable socks.
Using such do-it-yourself techniques greatly cuts down the costs that are required to maintain a constant supply of cat nip toys for your cat.
If you are willing to spend some money for your cat or just want to save yourself from the hassle of the above mentioned do-it-yourself procedures, you can always pay a visit to your pet store for a wide range of attractive cat nip toys.
Options are quite varied: play mouse, octopuses, spiders, fish and other animal forms, cigars, sprays, pillows, scratching post.
One thing which is always suggested is to pay attention to safety.
In its euphoria, the cat can get itself choked or injured by the toy.
Obviously, the designs of the toys available in the market have the necessary provisions for safety.
It is the home made ones that should be carefully designed.
Usually the rule for the catnip toy goes like this: 'the less ingested (partly or wholly) the better'.
If these things are not ensured then an emergency visit to a veterinarian could become a very realistic possibility.
The scientific name of the plant is Nepeta cataria.
The plant contains a chemical called nepetalactone which has very interesting effects on cats.
It is believed that the chemical stimulates the pheromone receptors of the cat creating a sensation of euphoria.
Pheromone receptors are stimulated with chemicals which act through the sense of smell.
The plant can be thus used to make aromatic cat nip toys that can be great for the recreation of the cat.
The sensitivity is genetically determined.
Some cats are not attracted to the aroma of the herb while others go totally crazy for it.
The effect lasts for a few minutes and the cat then resumes normal activity.
Typically, a cat under the influence of the herb, rubs itself all over it, rolls around it, paws it, licks it and even may eat it.
Though, the behaviors can be quite pronounced suggesting the strong effects of the plant, it is quite harmless and non-toxic.
Cat nip toys contain dried leaves and a sturdy pouch to hold this aromatic product.
Seeds or small cat nip plants can be obtained from gardening supply or pet stores.
This enables to grow cat nip at home.
The pouch can be made up of many different items ranging from animal pelts to synthetic fibers to even old unusable socks.
Using such do-it-yourself techniques greatly cuts down the costs that are required to maintain a constant supply of cat nip toys for your cat.
If you are willing to spend some money for your cat or just want to save yourself from the hassle of the above mentioned do-it-yourself procedures, you can always pay a visit to your pet store for a wide range of attractive cat nip toys.
Options are quite varied: play mouse, octopuses, spiders, fish and other animal forms, cigars, sprays, pillows, scratching post.
One thing which is always suggested is to pay attention to safety.
In its euphoria, the cat can get itself choked or injured by the toy.
Obviously, the designs of the toys available in the market have the necessary provisions for safety.
It is the home made ones that should be carefully designed.
Usually the rule for the catnip toy goes like this: 'the less ingested (partly or wholly) the better'.
If these things are not ensured then an emergency visit to a veterinarian could become a very realistic possibility.
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