The lesser known alternative to catnip and silver vine valerian also acts as a stimulant on cats.
Valerian root cat attractant.
Valerian root valerian root valeriana officinalis best known as a sleep aid for humans works as a stimulant for most felines often transforming lazy fat cats into energizer bunnies.
An unusual feature of valerian is that the essential oil of valerian root is a cat attractant similar to catnip.
Valerian has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating sleep problems other uses not proven with research have included treating anxiety stress depression attention deficit disorder chronic fatigue syndrome tremors epilepsy menopause symptoms and other conditions.
The difference between a cat s reaction to valerian versus catnip is often a lot more pronounced.
Valerian valeriana officinalis caprifoliaceae is a perennial flowering plant native to europe and asia.
Valerian is a flowering plant the root of which is dried and used as an herbal remedy.
It is consumed as food by the larvae of some lepidoptera butterfly and moth species.
The active compound in valerian for this is actinidine.
This pungent herb is known to transform lazy read.
As all cat lovers know some kitties love their nip.
Some theorize that valerian might attract cats because its pungent smell mimics the scent of cat urine.
The plant doesn t make cats mellow it s a stimulant that can make them happy and revved up.
Of course you may have a cat that doesn t respond to any of those so always use food as well.
In the summer when the mature plant may have a height of 1 5 metres 5 ft it bears sweetly scented pink or white flowers that attract many fly species especially hoverflies of the genus eristalis.
The cat attractant chemical in valerian turns out to be actinidine a pyridine derivative present in the essential oil of valerian which causes similar effects to nepetalactone.
If you live in an area with a lot of rats like new york you might not want to use this cat attractant and go with another natural alternative which i have written an article about here.
The ones who don t respond to catnip may respond to silvervine or valerian root.
A perennial that grows from 4 to 6 feet with reddish flowers valerian contains terpenoid chemicals similar to those in catnip s active ingredient.
Catnip responders are often also valerian responders.
Cats will engage in stalking and hunting behavior after ingesting valerian.
Chubby cats into the feline equivalent of richard simmons.
Oddly enough valerian is used among humans for relaxation.
Valerian works on cats but the chemical inside the plant can also attract rats the same way that it does felines.
Valerian is a great option for your indoor cat garden.
The pheromone properties help explain cats different reactions to valerian.
