Catnip & Valerian Cat Toys

The name catnip comes from the fact that cats, in particular, are particularly attracted to the smell of the plant. The smell of catnip is attractive to around 50% of all cats – and it’s genetically based. If your cat doesn’t react to the smell of catnip, try valerian (a smell that almost all cats love). For the other 50% of cats, this is often the only other alternative to catnip for scented cat toys – and this means that you can also give these cats “stimulating” moments that make them happy. Unlike with people, the smell of valerian doesn’t calm cats: it stimulates them, encouraging them to play more and more with the toy. Your cat will cuddle the toy, lick it, and rub its body on it.