Using Catnip & Silvervine When Cat Sitting
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Catnip contains a cat attractant chemical called nepetalactone. Some cats don't have the genes to respond to it. Silvervine (and Valerian) contain a different cat attractant chemical called actinidine which almost all cats do respond to with a similar effect.
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• Use it no more than once a week.
• Crush it between your fingers so that the oils are released into the air. (Cats generally need to smell these chemicals before the effect takes place.
• Use it at the end of the Hunt>Catch>Kill>Eat>Groom>Sleep cycle.
• Don't disturb cats enjoying catnip & silvervine - leave them be. They don't want humans interacting with them while they are 'high'.
• Lots of good brands from different manufacturers exist - just look for 'Catnip And Silvervine/Valerian'.
• Try it with cats under 1 year old - they might just enjoy it.
• Separate piles for each cat is a good rule of thumb.
• Using it for an attempt at positive-association with a shy, caving cat falls into the 'might help, can't hurt' category.
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