A question about cat nip

[Kirsten]

I would like to grow some fresh catnip for Luna so I went to the garden center on Friday and got some seeds with the latin name nepeta faassenii. Later in the pet store I also bought dried cat nip with the name nepeta cataria. Both have the same German name, "Katzenminze". Being confused about two different latin names, I've searched the web and learned that nepeta cataria was the "real" cat nip. But what about nepeta faassenii? Does it also stimulate cats and is it also non-toxic in case they eat them? Does anyone know?

Thanks,
Kirsten

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[Pam]

Kirsten...I grow catnip in my yard. I got it from a plant from my sister-in-law so I don't know which type I have. It is perennial (comes back every year). My cats LOVE it. One time I was trying to sew a hem and Andy would not leave me alone (wanting to play with the thread). I went outside and brought in a couple of leaves and he was no longer interested in my thread! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/biggrin.gif

[Kirsten]

Hi Pam!
Which color do the flowers of your catnip have? From what I saw in the pictures, nepeta faassenii must have violet flowers and nepeta cataria has white ones.

Kirsten

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[Kirsten]

From what I saw on Friday when I brought home the dried cat nip, Luna definitely HAS that gene! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

Kirsten

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[Kirsten]

LOL, sounds sweet! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif It's amazing how they react, isn't it?
BTW, Luna's doing the same with valerian, and so did my Katz (RIP)! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

Kirsten

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[Pam]

Kirsten...I think my flowers are white. They aren't flowering yet but as I recall last year they were white. I actually haven't paid much attention to the flowers to be honest with you. I usually just go out and pluck off a couple of leaves when I think my cats might enjoy some fun. My big orange guy, Trevor, gets all mellow and rubs and rolls in it. Andy on the other hand gets hyper like he has had 10 cups of coffee and attacks it. Afterwards they both usually doze off. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

[pam_pesto]

Pesty girl must be the exception to the rule-- she has not shown any interest whatsoever in catnip. We haven't tried the homegrown variety, but we have a spray, and we have tried her with toys but she just isn't interested. I wish she was; boy could we have a lot of fun with that!

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Personal servant for Pesto
http://www.angelfire.com/80s/pestoswitzer/main.html
http://www.angelfire.com/pq/coolcatclub/main.html

[pam_pesto]

I guarantee you it was catnip free!
Geez Spencer, you really have a thing for that picture, don't you? Ususally little Pest doesn't look quite so psychotic! She goes crazy over the dumbest things. She makes little chirping noise things when she sees light refelctions. Does anyone else's baby do that?

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Personal servant for Pesto
http://www.angelfire.com/80s/pestoswitzer/main.html
http://www.angelfire.com/pq/coolcatclub/main.html

[Fuzzy317]

Our Jackson, loves catnip, but his sister, Morgan didn't like it at all. They did not get along, so if catnip was put out she would get in Jackson's way by laying on it.

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Recently adopted by 3 cats: Jackson, Rosie, Fluffy; a dog: Eli; some fish, and my fiancee: Lynn (Vi Co Bi)

[auggie]

Kirsten,
This Site should explain your Catnip Question http://mountainvalleygrowers.com/nepcataria.htm

[Ben E Gas]

that picture of Pesto w/ the string is great! it looks as though she is holding a cane and dancing and laughing.

[Meow101]

Kirsten:
I am not very familar with catnip, so I don't know. We've been wanting to get cat nip for a long time (for Boogie) but it's just slipped our minds. We have some at a grocery store near where we live, but I am interested in growing it. http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/cool.gif!!
~Mary http://www.angelfire.com/al3/coolcatband/index.html

[This message has been edited by Meow101 (edited April 30, 2001).]

[Kirsten]

Thanks everyone!
I think Auggie's link explains a lot. Obviously the one I've got from the Garden Center won't work for cats, so I don't need to grow it. Now I only hope that I'll able to find seeds of nepeta cataria over here in Europe! http://PetoftheDay.com/talk/smile.gif

Kirsten

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