Valerian Root Cat Attractant

Valerian root and valerian leaves can cause a reaction in cats very similar to catnip but it comes at a price the plant is very stinky.

Valerian root cat attractant.

Valerian works on cats but the chemical inside the plant can also attract rats the same way that it does felines. The plant doesn t make cats mellow it s a stimulant that can make them happy and revved up. Valerian has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating sleep problems other uses not proven with research have included treating anxiety stress depression attention deficit disorder chronic fatigue syndrome tremors epilepsy menopause symptoms and other conditions. Some theorize that valerian might attract cats because its pungent smell mimics the scent of cat urine.

The difference between a cat s reaction to valerian versus catnip is often a lot more pronounced. Valerian is a flowering plant the root of which is dried and used as an herbal remedy. If you live in an area with a lot of rats like new york you might not want to use this cat attractant and go with another natural alternative which i have written an article about here. In the summer when the mature plant may have a height of 1 5 metres 5 ft it bears sweetly scented pink or white flowers that attract many fly species especially hoverflies of the genus eristalis.

Valerian is a great option for your indoor cat garden. The lesser known alternative to catnip and silver vine valerian also acts as a stimulant on cats. Cats will engage in stalking and hunting behavior after ingesting valerian. This pungent herb is known to transform lazy read.

Valerian valeriana officinalis caprifoliaceae is a perennial flowering plant native to europe and asia. As all cat lovers know some kitties love their nip. The pheromone properties help explain cats different reactions to valerian. Of course you may have a cat that doesn t respond to any of those so always use food as well.

Oddly enough valerian is used among humans for relaxation. Excited playful behavior such as rolling is very common when a cat has valerian. There are several types of catnip silvervine or catnip valerian root blends online. The cat attractant chemical in valerian turns out to be actinidine a pyridine derivative present in the essential oil of valerian which causes similar effects to nepetalactone.

It is consumed as food by the larvae of some lepidoptera butterfly and moth species. The ones who don t respond to catnip may respond to silvervine or valerian root. Chubby cats into the feline equivalent of richard simmons. A perennial that grows from 4 to 6 feet with reddish flowers valerian contains terpenoid chemicals similar to those in catnip s active ingredient.

The active compound in valerian for this is actinidine.