Beyond Catnip: Alternatives Your Kitty Might Like

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Catnip doesn’t work on all felines. If you’re looking for an alternative to the popular kitty herb, why not give these products a try?

Whether your cat loves catnip or isn’t a fan of it at all, you might be interested in introducing your kitty to some popular catnip alternatives. If that’s the case, the list below should help you get started.

Valerian Root

Valerian root is just one of a few alternatives to catnip that your kitty could try. Roughly half of the cats that are exposed to this plant will react to it, and it might even be effective when it comes to relieving anxiety in a cat, as it may produce a calming effect after it gets your pet excited. You could purchase dried valerian root, just as you would purchase dried catnip, and then put it inside a cat toy that your kitty could sniff and play with.

Related:Why Do Cats Go Crazy For Catnip?

Silver Vine

Also known as matatabi or Japanese catnip, silver vine is another plant that could get your cat happy and feeling good. In a study published in BMC Veterinary Research, roughly 80% of kitties that were exposed to silver vine reacted to it in a positive way. And, amongst kitties that don’t typically react to catnip, 75% of them reacted to the silver vine, so this might be a good choice if your cat doesn’t really do much when she smells catnip.

Tartarian Honeysuckle

There’s probably a 50-50 chance that your kitty will respond to this plant, but tartarian honeysuckle might be worth a try if you are looking for a good alternative to catnip. You might find that your cat even likes it better than catnip. Tip: if you get the wood of this plant, it might produce even better effects if you wet it first.

Related:Valerian for Cats: A Safe Alternative to Catnip

Indian Nettle

Indian nettle is also often referred to as cat grass or Acalypha indica. Your cat might react quite strongly to this plant, and she might even enjoy it more than catnip because it could have stronger effects. The root is the part of the plant that cats are most attracted to, so it’s best to stick with that.

Other Types of Catmint

Because catnip is actually a type of catmint, your kitty might also react to other types of catmint, so this might be a good choice if you want to give your pet some variety. And if you want to grow your own catmint, you can rest assured that these plants are generally easy to keep in your garden. Just know that, compared to catnip, other types of catmint might not have the same strong effects on a cat.

If your kitty isn’t too keen on catnip, or if you just want to provide some variety to keep things interesting during playtime, consider giving these catnip alternatives a try. You might want to introduce these plants slowly to see how your cat reacts to them. Also, bear in mind that not all cats will react in the same way to all of these plants, so it might take a bit of trial and error before you figure out which ones are your pet’s favorites.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Is Your Pooch A Pessimist? Scientists Say The Answer May Be ‘Yes’

This is probably the closest you’ll get to an answer from your dog when you ask “How are you feeling?” Most of us think of dogs the way we…
Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Xena

Please say hello to Xena, our Adoptable Dog of the Week from Adoptapet.com. Xena is a 6-year-old female Labrador Retriever/Shepherd Mix from Philadelphia, PE…
Dehydrated Sweet Potato Dog Treat Recipe

I love me some sweet potatoes! And you know who else loves sweet potatoes – your dog! Not only that, but they also love jerky. This Dehydrated Sweet Potato D…
Common Myths About Spaying And Neutering Your Dog

As a responsible pet parent, you''ll be faced with whether or not you will spay or neuter your dog. Let''s look at common myths about spaying and neutering.
A Pet Parent’s Guide To Heartworm Treatments

Is your dog safe? Let''s go over the basics about what heartworm is, how and why you should protect your dog, and the heartworm treatments available to you.
New Noms: Cricket-Based Dog Treats Packed With Protein

Care to crunch on a cricket? The newest dog treat craze involves a delicacy you can find hopping around in your backyard!
Barbet

The Barbet is a medium-sized breed of French water dog, known for its dense curly coat. A generally friendly and fun-loving breed, a great family pet.
Our Guide to the Best Cat Harnesses

Do you want to take your feline on some outdoor adventures? Then you’ll need a leash and harness designed for cats.
What You Don’t Know About Ringworm in Cats

Ringworm can pass from animals to humans, and make both extremely ill. Take the necessary precautions to ensure it stays away from your cat.
What Are The American Kennel Club Field Trials?

Need a challenge? A wonderful athletic event for hunting dogs, the American Kennel Club Field Trials will test your pooch''s skills out in the field!
Fetching Tips For Transitioning Fido To Fall

As the leaves begin to drop, it''s a sure sign to pet parents that we need to get our dogs ready for fall. Be prepared for the season with these timely tips.
Paralysis in Cats: Causes and Treatments

Paralysis is defined as the loss of feeling and muscle movement anywhere in the body. Cats can be diagnosed with partial or complete paralysis.
“They Ate WHAT?” — Well, Just About Anything, According To These

Check out the “winners” of the ninth annual “They Ate WHAT?” radiography contest. The photos will have you howling! Any pet lover can…
Cardinalfish

Cardinalfish are a large family of saltwater fish made up of over 200 sub-species. Most species are extremely colorful and are a couple of inches in length.
10 Best Leashes For Miniature Huskies

Miniature Huskies love to explore and a leash is pivotal to their exploration. Read on to see the 10 best leashes for Miniature Huskies we''ve found for you.