A plant named catnip would, you think, appeal to all cats and kittens. This is not the case in perhaps 25% of cats as it takes an inherited gene to trigger the “Ahhhh” factor in your pet. Even if your kitten has the disposition to enjoy the herb, it can take up to six months to develop. Older felines seem to lose interest in it as they age.

Buying catnip toys for a young kitten is a waste of money. By the time she is old enough to react to them, assuming she has the right genetic makeup, they will be stale and unappealing. Wait until she is several months old before offering the herb-stuffed playthings. If she shows an interest, then by all means cater to her desires. If she doesn’t react, wait a few more months and try again before giving up.

There are different grades of catnip, actually a mint, which are available for sale. You can grow your own as it is easy to do, and make your own playthings. Keep the plant in a large pot inside by a sunny window, as planting outside will draw neighborhood cats to your yard. Cats love to “prune” fresh leaves right off the bush.

Your pet may have a discerning nose for catnip and will respond to only one particular brand of toys. Organic-filled seem to be the most potent and may even be healthier for your cat, but they are also more expensive. It might just be that they are filled with fresher herbs. Through trial and error you will find her favorite(s).

Catnip brings out the huntress attitude in felines. Watch the eyes of a cat as her nose catches the delicious aroma of the plant and notice the dilation of the pupils. Wild cavorting and rolling begins, and possibly even some aggression if you have a multi-cat household, followed by a sensory shutdown and long blissful nap.

Fresh catnip is wonderful for rejuvenating old toys. Rub a few leaves on an old tennis ball or the scratching post and sit back to watch the fun. You can even stuff some into an old sock and tie or sew it shut. Drying it is easy and gives you an endless supply for gifting and toy-making.

Fill a jar with the dry leaves and toss in a few old favorite toys. Seal the container and put away for a week or more. Your cat will be more than happy to see her old friends again when you take them out. (If you fill the jar with fresh leaves, they will mold.)

There is nothing more fun than watching a cat play with catnip unless it’s two cats playing. Kitten season has begun, and we hope that you will consider adopting a pair from us this year. Just mention this article and we’ll even throw in a catnip plant if you do!

New calming products that work:

One of my cats just survived another five-hour photo shoot for a magazine. The last time we did this I came away with nine bloody scratches and a terrified cat. This time I was armed with the new SENTRY Calming Collar and Calming Spray which worked so well, I was not only able to let go of the cat but reposition him on the set without his bolting for cover. Check them out at http://www.sentrypetcare.com along with some other new behavioral products. Great to have on hand for that dreaded trip to the vet.

Two website updates:

It is easier than ever now to make a tax-deductible donation to Catalyst for Cats. A Donate button has just been added to the Donation Form page on our website allowing you to contribute via credit card or PayPal. Of course, you are also welcome to send a check instead.

An RSS feed option has also been added which will alert a subscriber to my column uploads. Feel free to share with friends and family who may not get the newspaper or live in other states.