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Plants For Cats

Catnip - Nepeta cataria

Catnip is a perennial herb with white flowers that is particularly attractive to cats, inducing playful behaviour. They rub against and roll in the plant, sniff, lick and chew it's leaves. The immediate effect lasts for 5 to 15 minutes. Catnip contains nepetalactone, a chemical thought to be responsible for the catnip effect. The herb is often dried and used to stuff catnip toys and bedding.

Catnip sensitivity is thought to be hereditary. It affects about two out of three cats [1].

Kittens under 2 months of age usually do not respond to catnip, and may avoid it [2].

Common Name: Catnip
Scientific Name: Nepeta cataria
Type: Upright growing perennial herb
Leaves: Grey-green heart shaped leaves
Flowers: Pink or white lipped flowers
Soil Type: Well drained soil
Environment: Full sun or partial shade
Height: up to 1m
Width: up to 45cm

Larger photos in the gallery: Catnip, Catnip Flowers, Dried Catnip

Catmint - Nepeta X faassenii, Nepeta mussini

Catmint contains the same chemical as Catnip but in a weaker form. The response in cats is still seen, but the effect is less dramatic. The grey-blue flowers of catmint are commonly mixed up with the white flowers of catnip. Catmint can be used to stuff cat toys.

Common Name: Catmint
Scientific Names: Nepeta X faassenii, Nepeta mussini
Type: Perennial herb
Leaves: Grey-green leaves
Flowers: Grey-blue flowers
Soil Type: Well drained soil
Environment: Full sun or partial shade

Larger photo in the gallery: Catmint

Cat Grass

Cats benefit from vegetable matter in their diet. Grass can be grown in pots for indoor cats to give them something to nibble on and to distract them from the houseplants. Cocksfoot grass is commonly grown and sold as pet grass for cats. Oat grass is also popular.

Common Name: Cocksfoot Grass
Scientific Name: Dactylis glomerata
Type: Temperate region pasture grass [3]
Leaves: 20-50cm long, up to 1.5cm broad
Flowers: Tufted triangular flowerhead
Soil Type: Normally drained to dry soils
Environment: Large climate range, sun or shade
Height: 20-120cm, Usually 10-15cm tall when sold as Cat Grass

Larger photo in the gallery: Cat Grass

Cat Thyme - Teucrium marum

Despite its name and appearance, cat thyme is not a thyme at all, but a form of germander. With crimson-pink flowers and silvery grey-green leaves, it grows similar to an upright thyme. If your cat does not respond well to catnip then this is the plant to try. Like catnip and catmint, dried cat thyme can be used to stuff cat toys.

Common Name: Cat Thyme
Scientific Name: Teucrium marum
Type: Perennial
Leaves: Small, oval, grey-green leaves
Flowers: Fragrant pink flowers
Soil Type: Well drained soil

References

1. Carlson DG & Giffin JM, Cat Owners Home Veterinary Handbook, New York: Howell Book House, 1995

2. Hart BL & Pedersen NC, "Behaviour" in Feline Husbandry, Goleta: American Veterinary Publications, 1991

3. Blood DC & Studdert VP, Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary, Great Britain: W.B. Saunders & Co, 1999

Fogle B, Natural Cat Care, London: Dorling Kindersley, 1999

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