Catnip Products a Big Hit Among Pet Owners
Many Different Products Containing Catnip Available Today
Sep 21, 2009
Catnip products are hot right now. A quick visit to the local pet store will reveal a catnip toy that will please even the most finicky feline. An online search will produce a dizzying array of products that most people don't even realize exist.
Catnip Bubbles, Anyone?
Forget about the old stand-by, the catnip mouse. Today's kitties are much more sophisticated, demanding the latest in catnip cat toys, including catnip fish. There are even catnip bubbles, although reviews are mixed as to how interesting they are to kitties. Catnip spray, which can be used on a cat scratching post, or on cat toys, seems to be more popular with some felines and their owners.
How to Choose the Best Dried Catnip
Most catnip available on the commercial market contains the whole plant. Stems, leaves, and blossoms are all fed into the grinder. Look for a higher-quality blend that contains only the leaves and flowers. This is where nepetalactone, the ingredient in catnip that drives cats nutty, is concentrated.
Buy catnip that has a greenish color. If it's gray, it may have been dried at high temperatures, or in the sun, which would result in lower quality. Sniff it to be sure it still smells like catnip. If it doesn't, it's too old.
Organic catnip is probably best for kitties, as it minimizes their exposure to any harmful chemicals that may have been used while the plant was growing, or during processing. One brand of natural catnip that seems to be extremely popular among both felines and the people they own is Cosmic Catnip.
Want to Grow a Catnip Stash at Home?
Catnip is amazingly easy to grow, either in the garden, or in a pot on the balcony. In fact, this plant has become a weed in some areas, so keep it under control in the garden. It's a perennial that will come back from year to year when planted in a sunny corner outside.
The easiest way to grow it is to buy a catnip plant, and locate it in a place where neighborhood kitties can't get to it.
Harvesting The Crop
The best time to cut any herb is either right before or right after it blooms. This is when the concentrations of essential oils are the highest.
Up to a third of the leaves and branches can be removed, especially earlier in the summer. The catnip plant will become bushier and more compact as a result.
The leaves and flowers can be left on the branches to dry. Hang the branches upside down in a warm, well-ventilated area. Avoid a hot attic, or a sunny area, as too much heat and light will bleach the herb, and reduce its quality. If leaving the leaves on the branches, be sure the branches are completely dry before storing the herb in a plastic bag, or it will get moldy.
If space is an issue, remove the leaves and flowers from the branches before drying. Spread them in a single layer on a paper towel on a cookie sheet. Turn the oven on to about 100 degrees for a few minutes, and then turn it off. Put the cookie sheet in the oven and leave it there for about 24 hours. Put a note on the oven door to prevent anyone from turning on the oven while the catnip is in there. The idea is to dry it, not cook it.
Check the next day to see if the leaves are dry and crispy yet. If not, remove the cookie sheet and reheat the oven for a few minutes. Remember to turn it off, and put the catnip back into the oven for another six to twelve hours. When the catnip is dry, store it in a glass jar with a lid to keep it fresh for wintertime fun with the kitty.
Cats and catnip are usually a winning combination. Keep a stash of natural catnip and plenty of catnip cat toys on hand to keep Kitty (and her owner) entertained.
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