CATNIP OR VALERIAN FOR MY CAT?
Catnip and valerian are 100% natural plants that are among the two most famous cat herbs with euphoric effects on felines.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE TWO PLANTS?
The main difference lies in the smell and sensitivity of cats towards them.
CATNIP
Catnip is what we call catnip because of its smell, which is similar to that of mint. This herb is most often found in stores.
Adding catnip to a toy or giving your cat a dried catnip ball will have a channeling effect. The plant will attract the cat, who will sharpen its claws where it smells!
Be careful though, not all cats are sensitive to catnip, if you have a kitten or an older cat, it is possible that it will not react to the smell, this is completely normal!
Similarly, about 70% of cats are sensitive to it, the rest will pay no attention to it.
VALERIAN
Valerian doesn't have such a pleasant smell (that's an understatement!)
However, rest assured the smell fades little by little for us, but not for the cats of course.
It is more commonly sold as a spray recommended for cat anxiety.
But you can find it in different forms, including powder to scatter on cat toys or inside fabric toys to cover the smell of the plant!
PLANTS USED TO CREATE CAT TOYS.
ARE CATNIP AND VALERIAN POISONOUS?
Although commonly referred to as "cat drugs," catnip and valerian aren't dangerous to your cat's health! Their euphoric effects are short-lived and will wear off about fifteen minutes after use. The plants are not addictive, but it's recommended to limit use to once a week to keep your cat interested in their scent.
Evident Cat Toys Use These Catnips!
Valerian pillow or mouse, more static toys.
At first, your cat will grab it, sharpen its claws, rub its nerves on the toy, then rub itself on it and lick it.
Then, in a second phase, you may notice that your cat calms down. This is the second effect of valerian, a calming effect similar to the one we experience with valerian herbal teas.
The catnip ball is a more dynamic toy because the cat will chase after the ball. The more it eats it, the more random the trajectory becomes. Once it's let off steam, your cat will roll around where the ball went!