How to Use Catnip if Your Cat is Stressed

Did you know that catnip can help you to de-stress your cat? Two thirds of the feline population possesses an inherited gene which is responsible for producing the classic feline reaction to catnip. This article contains some guidelines.

By Tricia Craggs

Did you know that catnip can help you to de-stress your cat? Two thirds of the feline population possesses an inherited gene which is responsible for producing the classic feline reaction to catnip.

The 'catnip effect' is caused by a volatile oil in the stems and leaves containing the chemical Nepetalactone. This chemical appears to minimize a cat's inhibition. It creates a feeling of euphoria that can last for about fifteen minutes. However, catnip is very safe for cats, with no side effects, and is not addictive at all. Overuse of catnip, though, can cause a cat to eventually become immune to the effects.

The 'catnip effect'

When a responsive cat comes into contact with catnip, she will sniff it, lick it, roll in it, bite it and rub her head and chin against it repeatedly, purring, growling or meowing, and even leaping about. Many of these movements imitate those seen when a cat is in heat, leading to one theory that catnip is a female feline aphrodisiac. However, the fact that male and female cats react in the same way to catnip casts doubt on this.

Using catnip to improve behavior problems

1. Catnip is very good at relieving stress and tension. This makes it a very useful tool in dealing with stressful situations you may have to place your cat in. Examples of this would be taking your cat in the car with you, moving your household, or perhaps having company in the house that frightens your kitty (like small children when your pet is unused to them). Catnip will help in any situation where your cat is uneasy.

2. Catnip can be used to help a very timid or frightened cat become more confident. You may be bringing home a new timid cat or perhaps have rescued a scared one from a cat rescue shelter; catnip will almost always help it to react in a more positive and friendly way. It will be easier to get it to play with you - which is a great start to making it feel at home with you, and less anxious.

3. If you are trying to encourage a cat to play more and be more active, (perhaps after an illness) try some toys containing catnip. Cat toys containing fresh catnip are more effective than ones which have been around for a while. The fresher the catnip, the more the reaction.

4. If you have more than one cat in your home, be careful not to introduce catnip to them all at the same time. Some males may have a tendency to cross the line from friendly play to dominant aggression while they are under the influence of catnip. By keeping them separated, you can assess the effects of catnip on each one and avoid any possible confrontations. If they react in a friendly manner, then they can all play with catnip together.

To conclude, remember not to overuse catnip or the effects will eventually diminish as your kitty becomes immune. Catnip is easy to grow, so use fresh catnip in catnip toys as much as possible. Although, even after a catnip toy has lost the catnip odor, cats will still play with them, but more from habit. Catnip is a herb which is harmless and non-addictive to cats, both wild and domesticated.


About the Author:

Find the best tips on using catnip to improve your cat's behavior by visiting www.all-about-cat-care.com.

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Herbal Products for Kitty

By Renske Buursma

Many cat lovers want to pamper kitties with natural, holistic herbal products instead of conventional store brands or even at times, costly veterinary medicine. The herbal practitioner focuses on natural diets and lifestyles as the preferred foundation for your cat’s optimum health and age for your cat. Here are tips to help with choosing herbal products for kitty:

1) Herbal products and treatments like those for treating and preventing health issues for pets, feature natural products from the environment instead of man-made materials and medicines.

2) Many herbal products for pets are offered in either liquid or powder forms. You puy them and then either mix the products with food, give them to your pet with a dropper or syringe, or you can mix it with liquid like water.

3) There are herbal products that act as treatments for a variety of ailments and chronic conditions, some that are vitamins for promoting good health, some for dental care, for relieving constipation and other medical conditions. There are also herbal products for cats that have allergies, and cats that needs calming – like before heading off to see the veterinarian, pet groomer or before traveling in cars or airplanes. OYu can also find herbal products to help with vision care, and teeth and gum cleaning.

4) Try a herbal purifier to detoxify your cat’s system, relieve your cat’s diarrhea and help with soft stool issues and diarrhea relief. Try digestive relief herbal products for upset stomachs or weak digestive systems with your kitty. And check out gas relief herbal products to help with digestion, to relieve inflammation (of digestive tracts) and to help with intestinal issues, gas pain and pressure.

5) For itch relief, try skin and coat herbal products. And for joint pain and inflammation plus good circulation, seek out herbal products for joints.

6) To help with nausea, vomiting or diarrhea due to motion sickness, seek out herbal products for motion sickness relief. To help kill parasites and aid your kitties’ digestive system, seek out help from herbal products to help, too.

7) Check into getting Echinachea in herbal form to help your pet’s immune system and to help fight off infection.

Regardless of your pet’s situation, when in doubt, ask first. And make sure to read directions thoroughly before giving herbal treatments and other products to your pet. Always think safety first for your pet!

About the Author: Renske Buursma, pet store owner with lots of helpful articles and a free newsletter about pet care at http://yourhealthypetsonline.com

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Why You Should Consider Herbal Products For Your Cat

By: Greg Hall


Cat owners everywhere are choosing to pamper their loving feline companions with all-natural herbal products instead of conventional veterinary medicine. The holistic philosophy teaches that a natural diet and lifestyle are best for sustaining a healthy, long life. Herbal holistic medicine was popularized for use in people, but it didn't take long for cat lovers to begin taking care of their feline friends in the same manner. Herbal products are being successfully employed to treat and prevent health issues targeting cats. Holistic treatment utilizes natural products from our environment instead of synthetic medications. It also treats the animal as whole, as opposed to focusing on one specific area at a time.


Herbal products to take care of your cat typically come in liquid or powder forms. You can mix the product with food, feed it to your pet with a dropper, or mix it in their water dish. Herbal products exist for every ailment and chronic condition your cat might face. There are also herbal products which serve as vitamins to promote general health for your cat. Holistic veterinary practitioners have discovered herbal remedies for your cat for everything from dental hygiene to intestinal health.


For example, if your cat suffers from anxiety when going to the vet or traveling in the car or any other potentially stressful events, there are herbal products which will soothe and relax it. If your cat suffers from allergies, there are herbal products designed to ward of the symptoms. There are herbs for your cat to help it maintain healthy teeth and clean gums. For upset stomachs and digestion problems, give your cat an herbal product made just for such issues. Herbal products will aid their digestion, relieve gastro-intestinal inflammation, and improve their bowel movements. Tonics are available which will stop chronic vomiting. To make sure your cat has healthy eyes, you can find herbal products to help their vision. Herbal remedies exist to help your cat deal with the itching, swelling, and pain from the bites and stings. Herbal products for the skin and fur maintain coat health and decrease shedding. If your cat has joint pain and inflammation or circulatory problems, there's relief in the form of an herbal product made just for such issues. Even the seemingly unavoidable hairballs can be eliminated with laxatives and all-natural organic herbs.


Aging cats can be rejuvenated with herbal remedies. An herbal remedy which targets the thyroid gland can help when your cat has become chronically sluggish. These remedies will make your cat more alert and lively. Such herbal products also improve their coats and will address weight issues. Since overweight cats have more health problems, keep your cat slim with an herbal product designed to help them lose weight. Cats commonly experience urinary difficulties, and there are herbal products which will relieve them of such troubles. Another issue commonly afflicting older cats are joint problems. Have no fear, there's an herbal product for your cat which will have her springing onto countertops in no time.


So you may be wondering what exactly is in all these new-fangled herbal remedies. Well, being all-natural you have nothing to fear. These medicines contain well-known ingredients such as dandelion, milk thistle, garlic, echinacea, and gingko. People have been taking these so-called new remedies for centuries, and now you can give them to your cat. In addition to herbs, these holistic products may also employ mineral products such as silicon dioxide, which is a natural dewormer and gets rid of other parasites as well. Another interesting substance employed by holistic veterinarians is lignite. Lignite is a by-product of the coal industry which is not only safe for you cat, but it serves as a detoxifier that helps your cat eliminate harmful chemicals. Contact a holistic veterinarian for further information to find out more about improving and maintaining your cat's health with holistic herbal remedies and nutritional supplements.


About the Author:Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as feline herbal products at http://www.shop4petstuff.com

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Herbal Help with Internal Parasites

by Marian Brown


Internal parasites--more commonly known as worms. As in all health care, prevention is one of the best offenses and defenses. In the case of internal parasites, total prevention is almost impossible.
The most common internal parasites are round worms and tapeworms, both of which are divided into several varieties and each enters the system through a variety of ways. The main paths of infestation are: from infected ground/soil, stagnant (or in some cases even running) water which other animals have access to, the milk of an infected mother (very common and easily passed to the young) and from fleas.


Fleas are very often the carrier of certain species of tapeworm and cause a multitude of what may seem to be never-ending cycles of kill the fleas--kill the worms--kill the fleas--kill the worms--etc... As pets often scratch at fleas by biting, they ingest the flea and thus the worm, now beginning the deworming cycle again.


As one can see, this constant cycle can quickly bring a healthy animal's system down, which in turn can lead to further health problems. And, in reviewing the ease at which pets can (and are) exposed to worms and fleas it is easy to see why total prevention is highly unlikely. A simple walk in your own enclosed yard provides several avenues of exposure...the birds which are in your feeder, the birdbath, rabbits that raid your garden, or a common mouse may all be potential carriers. (We won't even discuss the walk through a park!)


But, being able to keep the presence to a minimum and avoiding high levels of infestation is possible and relatively easy to achieve with the use of good diet, exercise and the addition of herbs.


Historically, herbs have been used to treat parasites in man and beast alike. For severe cases of internal parasites, consult a professional for guidance and proper dosages/treatments. There are also several homeopathic remedies available and Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide offers a method of herbal treatment.


For basic prevention, one of the most common and almost universally recommended herbs is garlic. Garlic is reputed to have a great repelling effect on both fleas and internal parasites. It may be difficult to get your pet to eat raw garlic, however, in the capsule form, it can be easily taken and sprinkled on the pet's food.


A common "American" treatment is the use of pumpkin seeds. Several ounces of dried pumpkin seeds can be mixed with water or vegetable juice to form a mash. This is eaten, then two-three hours later is followed by a dose of castor oil to drive the worms out. Care must be taken to be sure the entire worm is expelled. Tapeworms very often come out in small segments, leaving the head to reinfest again. This treatment may have been common due to the fact that ancient people recognized that worms' activities are influenced by the cycles of the moon. The worms became more active and thus less embedded when the moon is waxing, therefore, according to belief the best time for actually worming treatment is just before the full moon. (Reference The Complete Herbal handbook for the Dog and Cat by Juliette de Bairacli Levy).


In our more modern times, pumpkin seeds are available in powered capsule form, which like the garlic can be safely sprinkled in with pets' food. Elecampane and Black Walnut have also been historically used to rid body systems of parasites. Black Walnut extract has also been used externally for skin parasites including fleas and ringworm.


In more recent times (1974), a study conducted at the Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethedsa, Maryland, found that lapachol--an extract from the bark of Pau D'Arco trees--is quite useful against parasite infection. (Reference Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, 1992).


Remember, herbs are foods, not cure all drugs. The Herb Book by John Lust, list over 45 herbs which have been used for internal parasites in both humans and animals. Every body system is different and every herbal combination is different and supports the system in a unique way. Please take the time to learn about herbs and the different ways they can support the various systems.


From:
http://www.hhnews.com/pet_internally.htm

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