Looks like Lily is addicted to cat perfume... :)

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
So Deb, why not do an experiment and let your crew get a few whiffs of what you have on hand and let us know what the results are.

OK I did just that - took an old aired out catnip pillow and dosed it with the pure extract. Emily and Eliot gave it a sniff and walked off. Only Dylan gave any attention to it, rolled around for 30 seconds or so, gave a few bunny kicks and then sauntered off. So, guess what I have is of no interest. It sure works on ME though - very calming and makes me sleepy And YIKES is it stinky!!

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Hmmm....so possibly it's more diluted for humans? Interesting, thanks for the test Deb.

[Kirsten]

Are we talking about regular Valerian root and Valerian extracts like they sell in herbal and vitamin stores for people??

I guess it's those extracts you can get in herbal stores. Over here in Germany, valerian tea is very popular when you cannot sleep. Stinks terrible, and the cat perfume smells the same. And it has the same effect on cats! While it makes humans calming down, cats go crazy about it, just like they do with cat nip.

But boy it stinks!!! I don't know why it is so attractive to cats!!

Luna loves it also, but since Lily is always acting so wild and weird, she's keeping the distance now.

Kirsten

[DJFyrewolf36]

I always thought Valarian smells like wet dirt. Perhaps thats why its so attractive? I tell you what though, brew some pure Valarian into a tea and youre out like a light (at least I am lol). Works good for stomach ailments too

[catfamily]

Very interesting stuff.I've never heard of it.But glad to read on it.

Sorry I had to change my user name from carla and mike.To many computer problems this week.But everything is all fixed now.

[sirrahbed]

Originally posted by Kirsten
While it makes humans calming down, cats go crazy about it, just like they do with cat nip.

This is interesting Kirsten. It must indeed be the same thing as valerian here is used for sleep and nervousness. Catnip is also sold and used as a sleep/nerves aid. I buy mine in bulk - also available as a teabag - at a nutrition store. (much less expensive and stronger than what is sold for cats in pet stores) I brew it as a tea and it puts me in dreamland quite nicely! That very same dried catnip tea is what I give the kitties for play.
How odd that what calms our nervous sysytem - is the opposite for our cats!

[catfamily]

I think I'd like top try some of that.