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How to make homemade catnip spray

How to make homemade catnip spray

Herbicide-free and pesticide-free homemade catnip spray recipe

Have you ever given your cat catnip? If so, you're sure to be familiar with the blissful euphoria and stimulating effect that this miraculous plant brings to feline species! Even elderly cats who haven't the faintest interest in life will soon be rolling around the floor in a kitten-like manner, with just one dose of catnip!

Before we give you our free recipe on how to make your own homemade catnip spray, let's take a quick look at what catnip exactly is and how it works!

What is catnip?

Catnip is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family Nepeta cataria, native to Europe, Africa and Asia! The effect of catnip on cats is similar to how humans respond to hallucinogenic or stimulating drugs, such as ecstasy. The only difference is that catnip is safe with zero negative side effects. Catnip is neither addictive nor harmful to cats!

The science behind catnip boils down to the chemical nepetalactone found in catnip. Nepetalactone triggers a response in cats' brains that sends them into a state of bliss and euphoria. Cats may rub against and chew on catnip to bruise the leaves and stems, which then release more nepetalactone. 

Your cat's reaction to catnip will depend on whether he sniffs or eats it. Sniffing catnip usually produces a stimulant effect, while ingesting it has a sedative effect on your cat! Some cats may not be affected by catnip at all, as their response totally depends on their inherent sensitivity to nepetalactone. Other cats may become aggressive, in which case you should stop exposing your cat to catnip.

Fun ways to use catnip

Catnip can be used as a training tool to encourage your pet to use their new cat bed or play with forgotten toys. You can also use it at any given point to brighten up your cat's day, or just for your own personal delight in watching them go crazy! You can scatter fresh or dried catnip leaves for your cat, you can make a homemade spray (recipe below) which lasts much longer or you can even stuff their favourite toys with catnip leaves.

Once you've made your own catnip spray, you can spray it on the carpet, on the cat bed, in the garden or wherever you want. Watch as your cat licks the spray, purrs, growls, pounces, rolls around and acts completely bonkers! It's a fun time for everybody involved.

Interestingly, catnip can also be used by humans (not by pregnant women) for tea infusions to relieve nausea, headaches, insomnia and even toothaches! It also acts as a natural pest repellent, although not when applied to skin - nepetalactone loses its ability to repel bugs when applied to the skin!

How to make homemade catnip spray 

What you need 

1 tablespoon of herbicide-free and pesticide-free Catnip
About 4 - 5 cups of fresh, clean water
Tea infuser
Spray Bottles

Directions

  1.  Add water in a pot and bring to a boil for a minute before removing from heat.
  2. Allow water to slightly cool before placing the Catnip inside the tea infuser and putting it in the pot. If you don't have a tea infuser, simply add the Catnip to the pot and strain afterwards.
  3. Let the Catnip sit in the pot for about 20 minutes in order to allow the leaves to release their chemicals into the water.
  4. Let the tea cool to room temperature.
  5. Pour the tea into a clean spray bottle and use as soon as you like!

If you have any questions, please contact our team or leave a comment below for FREE health advice. We always love hearing from you!

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Comments

Feelgood Health Team - May 15, 2024

Good day Deeanna

Thank you for your question! To make homemade catnip spray, you will need to boil catnip in water, strain it, let it cool and then pour the liquid into a spray bottle.

I hope that makes sense!

Saskia
Feelgood Health Team

Deeanna Goldine Quarles - May 15, 2024

So when I make a catnip spray to repel fleas I mix it with tea and catnip

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