WILD CATNIP!

Catnip has been used by many over the years as a 'home remedy' for various ailments, and of course, in times-gone-by, the most effective and potent catnip came from 'the wild'. 

CATNIP & CATS:

Catnip, as I'm sure you could easily guess, got it's name because of the effect the plant has on cats. Scientists aren't sure just why/what cats 'go nuts' over catnip, but unrefutabley - they do. 

Wild catnip will put life back into old decrepid cats, and put a gleam back into their eyes. It seems that cats almost 'get high' on catnip, yet they aren't drunk, stoned, or in any way intoxicated. 

Most often the 'stuff' you buy in stores as either catnip, or in catnip mouses/toys is old, or mixed in with other inert ingredients so that it has often little effect on cats. This is not only a 'rip-off' it's a shame! 

Catnip in the wild grows very often in poor soil, and can be found around old abandoned farm buildings, railway lines and the like. If you are going to gather your own catnip, be sure it is from pristine areas where no spraying with herbicides/pesticides has been done. The best way to harvest is wait until it has, and is, in flower, and pull up the whole plant - roots and all. Shake off any dirt/soil that are on the (fibrous - not tap) roots, and hang upside down to dry as quickly as possible - out of the sun. The hot summer sun will dry it quickly - but will also, through it's action - drive off much of the plant's volatility - dry it quickly - but out of the sun's direct rays. A garage, barn or shed is ideal. Of concern also is that spiders like to get into drying catnip - so be sure that it is not in a spider infested area. If you are going to use this catnip for either yourself, or our cat - DON'T SPRAY ANY POISON - to kill the spiders - anywhere near where you are drying the catnip! 

See below, the directions on how to make a catnip 'toy' for your cat - it'll love it.
(see self-explanitory photo) 

1/ Place half the catnip on a heavy piece of 6" X 6" cloth (old blue-jean denim is great) 
2/ Bunch-up cloth over catnip, which will make a bulge (elastic in photo is only to hold shape 
    while taking photo) 
3/ Tie off, TIGHTLY - just over catnip bulge - that's it! 

CAUTION: When allowing your cat to play with your catnip toy, the cat will drool, chew, roll on the catnip toy right until it is totally worn out ( about 3 months). For the first while the catnip toy will often be SATURATED with the cat's saliva - THEY LIKE THEM THAT MUCH! But the problem associated with this is that the toy may give off a bit of yellowish discolouring from the herb - so don't allow the cat to play with the toy on furniture/upholstery or rugs/carpets that could be stained by this slight emission. My uncle, whom usually has several cats, of various ages around the house, leaves one of the strings used to tie-off the catnip toy, relatively long, and ties this around a door knob. This allows the cat(s) to play with it, but keeps it from being carried up and onto furniture or carpets. Too, if you like to 'play with' your cat, this longer string will allow you to dangle and drag the toy around - and I assure you- with your cat in 'HOT PURSUIT'! 

ALSO- I have for sale, packets of PURE WILD CATNIP - which I gather myself personally, gathered when the plants are at their best, in full flower. Each packet is sufficient to make 2 catnip toys, and includes full instructions (just like here on the 'net') on how to make your catnip toy. 

 If you aren't 'into' making your own catnip toy, I also offer them for sale. 

Both the catnip, and catnip toys are offered for sale in my product section of this homepage. 

You'll notice that these items cost a BIT more than similar items offered in 'pet shops' etc. but the reason is simple - these toys are 'HANDMADE' and the catnip is 100% PURE WILD CATNIP - INCLUDING THE FLOWERS/SEEDS - and is fresh/viable and wickedly potent - NO MATTER HOW OLD OR FINICKY YOUR CAT IS - it'll 'go nuts' over this stuff! 

NOTE: THERE IS A VERY LIMITED SUPPLY OF THE ABOVE PRODUCTS - ORDER SOON!