How often and how much catnip do I give my kitties?

1CatOverTheLine

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Lovely kitties.

In Summer, when direct sunlight increases the nepetalactone levels, I cut one stem about 12 - 15 inches - which yields about 100 separate leaves - for ten cats, nearly every day, because - well, why not?

In Winter, because "basement catnip" grown under sodium lamps has far less nepetalactone content, I'll cut a couple of stems twice a week, since availability is much more limited.  Every one of mine clearly has the catnip gene.  YMMV.

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Kieka

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Depends on how they react to it. I usually just leave out toys (OurPet Cosmic Catnip is the best IMHO, ) and let them play as they want to. They will chew and throw it around for a while then take a break. I don't use the loose catnip much because I would rather they not eat it. If you grow your own though you can be sure of the pesticides not being used near them.
 
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Brian007

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With Brian I just left powdered catnip in a bowl in his feeing area.  He would have a mouthful as and when he needed it.  It's good for digestion, stress, appetite, calming, and a has multitude of other health benefits.  Brian would self-regulate his dose.  Catnip has a half hour effect, and when it's worn off cats' special catnip sense disappears for a while, they basically can't smell it.  This means that they will never overdose.  Cats' special catnip sense then reactivates and they become attracted to it again.  Brian considered the bowl of catnip to be beneficial to his general heath and well-being.  Whilst I could still get out a catnip stuffed toy and he'd go bonkers over it in the classic catnip zoomy way. 
 

1CatOverTheLine

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Try silvervine matatabi as well.  It's another, lesser known, cat stimulant that is super potent.  Valerian and honeysuckle too. 
I grew honeysuckle on a trellis for a few years.  They didn't seem terribly thrilled by it, but the bees thought it a wonderful way to get into the house unnoticed.

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Brian007

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It's just a certain type of honeysuckle that does the trick.  

I absolutely adore the look, smell, and feel of honeysuckle, hmmmmmm.   And it's so rampant & easy to grow.  

Sweet smell of summer 
 
 
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