Catnip works!!

1. 87

   IzzyMposted 11 years ago

   I'm all happy - I'm growing catnip plants and have them in a pot near the back door. We don't have a cat here, but the odd stray visits the garden.
   I just stood and watched a big black cat come in the garden, stare at me for ages, then go over the where the catnip is. Next thing he was rolling on the ground in ecstasy! He was stretching and rolling on his back and doing all the sorts of things cats do when happy (or doped).
   Couldn't film it because it almost dark (nightfall), but hey...there'll be another opportunity

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      WriteAngledposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My first cat was like that. However, the four I have noe have never shown any interest in catnip. Admittedly, I've only ever tried using the dried stuff with them.

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      1. 87

         IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I couldn't get catmint in Spain, I could get catnip grass but not the plant I have now, so don't know if my cat there would like it or not.

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      klarawieckposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Oh... Izzy... and there I was thinking no one had seen me! Us, kitties... we love catnip! Meawwwwww
      
      

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      1. 87

         IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         This video is just for you
         
         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tklx3j7kgJY

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            klarawieckposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Joseph wasn't a fan... because he's lost his sense of smell.
            
            I did plant catnip once and the stray cats destroyed my plants.

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         By His Wayposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Cougar???   (lol)

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      By His Wayposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Does it show up in urine?
      
      
      (joking)

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      1. 87

         IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Who cares? It's legal LOL

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      Marisa Wrightposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I saw this great photo on Facebook from www.lifewithcats.tv - a cat hugging catnip:
      
      

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      1. 87

         IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Oh that is so sweet!!

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            klarawieckposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Izzy, that cat looks like your profile picture! Perfect!

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            1. 87

               IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               It does a bit, doesn't it? lol
               
               All we need is for the catnip cat to show the EYES!! That would be weird!

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2. 64

   SandyMcCollumposted 11 years ago

   It's funny, if I grow it in a pot, the cats won't allow it to live. The either roll on it to death or they eat it. But, if it's growing in the ground, they roll next to it, not ON it. And I also have noticed that some cats will guard it and keep it all to themselves, while other cats have no interest, whatsoever. I think it's like alcohol to people, kinda; some like it too much, others have no interest. Cats will come from all around to visit a catnip plant, they smell it.
   
   My catnip plants are the biggest, most lush plants in the garden - last year it grew over 7 feet tall!
   
   And it makes a nice, kind of minty tea that's relaxing in the evening.

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   1. 87

      IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've got two bushy plants that are just starting to flower, but I'm hopeful of getting lots of seeds from them. I need to some to take back to Spain next time I visit!
      I was actually a bit scared to plant them directly into the garden in case they take over (mint family, but I'm told they spread by seed not roots like mint), but maybe if I grow more from seed I will try a little patch to see how it goes.
      I love cats, they are more than welcome in the garden as far as I am concerned, so long as they leave the birds alone (there are a lot of nesting birds).
      
      Interesting about the tea. I know some people try to smoke it thinking it has a similar effect to cannabis, but nepelactone affects cats, humans not so much I don't think. Should try it, I suppose.

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3. 64

   SandyMcCollumposted 11 years ago

   If you'd like to grow a patch, put a little fencing around the patch until the catnip is big enough to survive being loved by a cat. Mine didn't spread too much, in fact, not at all. Probably because I cut off all the flowers... yeah, that must have been it. I'd cut off the flowers for my tea; the leaves are left for the cats until the end of the season, when I then let it flower out for seed.

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4. 90

   wordscribe43posted 11 years ago

   My cats are downright obscene with catnip.  Seriously!  They make fools of themselves in their ecstasy states....
   
   I used to have a cat who'd become a little aggressive on his "high", though.  He'd start attacking the other cats and becoming, let's just say "amorous". 
   
   I've never tried growing it, though.  I'd imagine it wouldn't be too difficult, even inside, right?  Currently my cats (and rabbit) are mowing down wheat grass.

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   1. 87

      IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I've written a couple of hubs on catnip, though by this time next year I hope to be a real expert and not a researcher lol
      
      It grows well in USDA zones 5 - 9, so I guess it could be grown indoors so long as your apartment isn't too warm. Grow it next to an open window!

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         klarawieckposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Good luck, Izzy. I hope it grows nicely. You're not in Spain anymore? I'm going this summer... wedding... in July... HOT! HOT! HOT!
         Post a pic of your catnip. It's such a pretty plant!

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5. 71

   jennzieposted 11 years ago

   My one cat loves catnip, but the other two aren't very crazy about it. I also want to try the cat grass that comes in the pot to see if they like that any more than the catnip that is in the container.
   
   But growing your own sounds like a good (and cheaper!) idea.

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6. 78

   Aficionadaposted 11 years ago

   This thread prompted me to spend nearly the past hour watching YouTube videos of catnip, cats, animals, babies, all that stuff.  There's one sort of scientific one about how catnip works. It's not long enough; I think it was actually a sort of ad for a TV program. But they said that about 70% of cats are affected by it. Another 1-2 showed its effect on big cats. Amazing.
   
   Izzy, I hope  you'll post your video (when you make it) on YouTube. Some of those vids have gotten millions of hits!

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   1. 87

      IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I have watched them, some of them are fabulous! The ones that are made for TV are not of the best quality, I think someone videoed the TV programs and posted them to YouTube, which is a pity because the professionals got it right, and the copies look like copies.
      
      I would love to make a video of the cat(s) at the catnip. The trouble is because they are 'visitors' they are nervous of me, so filming them is not so easy as I have to keep my distance and stay silent.
      
      Jennzie mentioned catnip grass, but if your cats like catnip they will like the grass too, but as a plant it is exceptionally boring and if you plant it in the garden you will (like me) end up running the mower over it because it looks like garden grass, or pulling it up thinking it is escaped grass.
      
      You want this plant -
      
      

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         Robertr04posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Could not resist. A stimulant, tonic, antispasmodic, normalizes blood pressure, decreases the desire for cigarettes, and dispels abdominal gas. For parents whose children experience colic, Catnip is a Godsend. Often a child will scream with discomfort and cannot tell the parent what's wrong. The extract or tincture is applied generously to the back and the abdominal area. By putting drops on the tongue as needed, tormenting gas can be expelled from the body. In cases of high blood pressure where arteries are nervously cramped, Catnip is swift and effective. Those who wish to quit cigarettes may be able to do so by placing several drops on the back of the tongue anytime a cigarette is desired.

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            IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I'm going to try this next time I run out of cigarettes. I've only got 7 cartons left.

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      Aficionadaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Well, do I ever feel sheepish here.  Izzy, I saw some of your other YouTube videos that were mentioned in the thread about pets - the dogs play-fighting over a stick, and some others. They're good - But that's no surprise!
      
      What kind of video camera did you use? The video is certainly some of the best quality and clearest I have ever seen.

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         IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Oh wow! Thanks! I am a complete beginner on making videos. The camera I use is an Olympus SZ10 and it records in HD. I should write a hub about it (but not on this name unless I don't want anyone to read it apart from hubbers). Its not that expensive a camera at around $200, but it takes great close-ups and the zoom seems to focus on distant objects really well.
         
         
         
         

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            Aficionadaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Definitely write it! I'll watch for it, or you can send me a message when it's published.
            
            I'm noting the name/model, and I'll start saving for it today.

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