Catnip can be grown easily from seeds or started plants available at your local garden store. It is a perennial plant that will come up every year and can be grown in your garden or a container.
Homegrown and dried catnip tends to be far more potent than most store-bought dried catnip. Therefore, use your home-grown catnip rather sparingly until you find just the right amount to give to your favourite feline. Too much can make your pet sick or overly aggressive. But most adult cats will become quite frisky and playful with just a small pinch or two.
Method for producing your own homegrown dried catnip:
Use only catnip from a plant that is guaranteed free of all chemicals, insecticides or herbicides. IT MUST BE COMPLETELY ORGANIC, otherwise do not use it for your pet.
- Cut a mature catnip plant to about 2” above the ground, after it has finished flowering. (This will ensure that the plant can grow again next year from the base)
- Gather the stems together, and tie them together with a piece of string.
- Shake off any dirt or debris, removing and discarding any brown or dead leaves.
- Hang the catnip bundles upside down to dry, making sure they are well above your pet’s reach.
- Leave in a cool dry place for about 2 weeks, or until the leaves look wrinkled and crumbly.
- Crumble the leaves by hand into a container that can be tightly lidded. (Do NOT use plastic bags to store the dried catnip, because your cat will bite through the bag and may accidentally ingest the plastic as well in its attempt to get at your premium catnip.)
To Serve: sprinkle a small amount in your cat’s play area or onto his scratching post. You can also stuff dried catnip into homemade cat toys. (method and patterns for toys are available in betweenclosefriend.com Also please check out recipes for pet foods, treats –including catnip cookies/treats, herbal remedies/cures; and so much more) Sprinkled over or sewn inside, an old favourite pet toy will renew your cat’s interest.