| Not all cats like catnip. As a matter of fact, only a | | | | react to catnip at all. Fortunately, the plant is |
| slight majority do love this plant, so whether your cat | | | | nonaddictive and harmless to cats, so even a kitty |
| likes it or not is already genetically programmed. But | | | | that really adores it is not in any danger. |
| the cats that take to it really love it. Catnip and its | | | | Valerian is another herb, although lesser known, that |
| scent is used on cat toys, scratching posts, and cat | | | | makes cats happy. Valerian and catnip can be put |
| trees to encourage cats to play and to scratch on | | | | together as part of a cat garden. Plant both in |
| those cat items. | | | | cat-proof areas so your cat will not pull the plants |
| For you botanists, the technical term for the catnip | | | | completely out by their roots. After the plants are |
| plant is Nepeta Cataria, which creates moments of | | | | large enough to take it, trim them and offer the |
| ecstasy in those cats who like the herb. A substance | | | | trimmings to your cat as a treat. |
| called nepetalactone that is present in the leaves and | | | | Cats love to graze, so an alfalfa, rye, or wheat batch |
| stems causes the behavior in cats, which only lasts a | | | | growing in a sunny area will be well-appreciated by |
| few minutes. | | | | your cat. Parsley and thyme are other herbs cats |
| Catnip sometimes includes rolling, leaping, rubbing, | | | | love to nibble on. These plants can be grown indoors |
| purring, and a general uninhibited happiness in cats. | | | | or in a garden. Just protect them while they are |
| Kittens that are under the age of 3 months do not | | | | growing. |