I’ve already written about cat mint, today, we’ll take a look at another, lesser known drugs. Since not all the cats respond to all of them and they don’t respond to everything the same way. Therefore, if you didn’t succeed with cat mint, maybe you’ll be lucky with one of the following ones.
My cat responds to cat mint, but not excessively. That’s why I also wanted to try an alternative and that’s how I got to actinidia. Valerian may be used in stressful situations such as a visit to the vet or moving. Let's take a look at them.
Also known as garden valerian, garden heliotrope, setwall, all-heal and cut-finger. It is relatively well-known in the Czech Republic and you can normally buy it at the pharmacy. Since apart from cats, it is also used by people for its soothing and relaxing effects (among other things). The plant was previously used for the production of the valerian or “baldrian” drops.
The active substance that attracts cats is the enzyme actinidine. Whereas valerian calms people down and puts them to sleep, some cats are mad after it. It stimulates them and provides them with well-being and vitality. But again, not all of them. Some cats that love cat mint don’t show any interest in valerian and vice versa, some love both and some don’t respond to either of those herbs.
Effective parts are the roots and the rhizomes of valerian. Apart from the pharmacy, you can also buy valerian in pet supplies as a spray, dry in toys and it is contained even in spot-ons against stress. You can also grow valerian in the garden or go to pick it in ditches or moist willow and alder-tree bushes by streams and rivers. It can be picked throughout the whole summer up until the autumn, however, the greatest amount of effective substances is present in the root before it blooms.
Whereas cat mint smells like mint or Lemon balm, valerian smells more distinctively and less pleasantly.
These close relatives are not as wide-spread in our country, or their effect on cats, that is. However, you will find them in some e-shops with pet supplies under “Japanese catnip”. You can also see them under the names of silvervine or matabi.
Actinidia comes from China, so it’s no wonder that it is used also in Chinese medicine.
You can grow it in the garden as a vine and it usually produces fruit. The fruits are called mini kiwis and they are edible. But you have to properly protect the young seedlings from cats and expect to still have the little twigs and the root chewed.
Actinidia contains two ingredients that attract cats: actinidine, as well as valerian and dihydroactinidiolide which has a sweet tea scent. Cats are attracted by the smell of the twigs. A Japanese proverb “neko ni matatabi, joro ni koban” freely translated means “cat will be so happy with actinia as a prostitute will be with money”.
The wood of this vine usually excites even a greater euphoria in the cat than the cat mint is able to. And similarly, the effect will wear off after 5 – 30 minutes. But again, not all the cats respond to it. However, in my experience, it attracts more cats than cat mint.
Have you had the honour of trying one of these cat drugs? And was it successful with your fluffy friends?
Food is one of the most basic needs of dogs as well as humans. How to make sure your dog has enough necessary nutrients? And if you opt for dry food, what options are there? And what to consider when choosing?
Most of us care about the contents of the packages with dry food but have you ever thought about the packaging itself? Do you know what is used for the packaging of dry food, how different are individual materials and what innovations can you find on...
You can recognize a Burmese cat mainly because of its silky fur and beautiful, deep gloss with typical signs of a colour that is not present in any other breed. Besides its glossy fur, this breed has also a great nature which makes these cats great...
Dachshunds, from smooth-haired, wire-haired and short-haired to long-haired, are popular companions and not only in the Czech Republic but in the world as well. And they are great companions! Even though they are quite stubborn.
Cats may bite from many reasons and if you would like to make this undesirable behaviour stop, it is important to understand why they do it. The fundamental thing is to eliminate the cause but we can also help with other things.
Do you like baking and you have noone to bake for? You probably haven’t thought about your dog companion. However, you might also make some tasty and healthy goodies at home for it as well. I’ll tell you how.
Only a few per cent of loss of water may cause serious problems for your dog. However, we often don’t pay attention to its drinking and underestimate its importance. When there is a risk of dehydration, do you know how to avoid it or recognize it?
Dry food with larger proportion of meat might not only have positive effects on dogs’ organisms, when processed well, it will also make happy even the pickiest gourmets that usually don’t like dry food. Thanks to a holistic approach, you’ll keep the...
The days are getting warmer and our dogs and cat starts to shed. This has a negative impact on your household with all the hair. Have you found a way to reduce the contamination with hair at least a bit and speed up the process of shedding?...
Do you also barely resist the temptation to cuddle a dog, no matter if yours or someone else’s? It’s no surprise, a new study shows that such contact with a dog is like a drug for human brain.
There are plenty of reasons why we get flat-faced dogs. For their specific appearance, great nature, loyal love to their owner... And maybe also for their need of constant attention that makes us feel well. The flat-faced dogs are simply cute....
Brown rats, mice and hamsters as well as other rodents are quite small pets and sometimes, we don’t even think about dealing with them being overweight. However, if we like our pets and we want them to be well and stay with us as long as possible,...
