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?
According to the data published at the end of last year, more than half of the people from around the world lives with at least one pet. The most numerous dog population is in the United States (70 million dogs), followed by Brazil (36 million) and...
When I travel, I'm always interested in what is the view of the given country upon the keeping of pets. And generally, how animals are treated there. The position of cats, dogs and rodents varies significantly in different countries, so there’s...
People often confuse the grey wolf with the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. This shepherd’s and today a very popular breed was bred from the German Shepherd by crossbreeding with the Carpathian wolf. Even though the dog and the wolf are very similar in...
The golden hamster, sometimes referred to as hamster-teddy bear because of its appearance, was first captured less than a century ago by zoologists in Syria. Hence also its second name – the Syrian hamster. Over time, it became a popular pet throughout...
The cloning of dogs or cats is slowly becoming a completely normal reality. For now, you can encounter it mostly in Asian countries. It’s the companies in South Korea that are most famous for their business plans focusing on the grieving dog and cat...
It would probably entirely unnecessary to describe the appearance of the German Shepherd. Probably everyone, even non-dog-lovers, have seen the German series Inspector Rex. Apart from the most famous colouring with black or golden marks, it is bred...
Getting a cat doesn’t mean only buying a cat toilet, bowls, a bed and a couple of toys. You also have to realise that the animal will also need certain care and count with this already before getting it. Each breed has its own specifics. While some are...
The Persian Longhairs, which have most likely descended from the Turkish Angoras, were bred in England at the end of the 19th century. Since then, they have undergone great changes, and today they have a much more compact body in comparison to the...
The desire for your own dog friend can also lead to a great disappointment. Since a lot of people fall for scammers when buying through an ad. Getting a dog this way is a risk not only from the money point of view, but also with respect to the mental...
Traveling with a dog in the city is stressful for many dog owners. One of the reasons may be the fear of riding escalators. If the dog is not accustomed to them since young age, he can have issue with it as an adult. Even in the case that your dog aces...
For the majority of dog breeders, winter is the period that has to be waited out somehow. But this time of year provides ideal conditions for the musher sport. And if you found pleasure in summer trainings with the dog, don’t hang the dog harness on an...
Most owners consider pets kept at home to be full-fledged family members. And year after year, they invest more and more money in them. Just for dog and cat food, Czechs spend around eight billion crowns a year. The business around pets is experiencing...
