Cathartic, Catalytic Catnip
Catnip is Prozac for cats. It sends them off to lala land. That is my conclusion after coming home with a spray can of the stuff. First off, I sprayed it on Cory's toy turtle and offered to him. He frooze for a moment and started licking it. Then grabbing it with his forepaws, he rolled onto his back and started playing with it. All this during the prolonged kitty siesta time. (Pictures above show Cory pre and post catnip.)
Next up, the Original Spice Meows. I sprayed some on their brush and approached Ginger. After sniffing at it, he sat trance-like, and allowed me to brush him for as long as I wished. Normally, brushing time is at His choosing and he will walk away when he decides he's had enough. Today, he just sat and sat, so I brushed and brushed. I then tried brushing Pepa. She's never liked being brushed and will bite the brush or run away. But today, after sniffing the brush, she started rubbing her cheek against it. She also allowed me to brush her to my satisfaction, even rolling onto her back to let me brush her tummy. That stuff is magic.
Finally, it was Saffron's turn. The claim on the spray can was that it will make my cat happy and relaxed. How will it affect Saffron? I've read that catnip doesn't have an effect on all cats. Since it has worked on all the other cats, will Saffron be the odd cat out? I sprayed some on his toy fish and offered it to him. He didn't show any interest at all and continued crouching behind the commode. (He's been sequestered in the bathroom ever since he started manifesting his bizzarre behaviour.) Aisey. He's the one needing Prozac the most. So I left him alone.
A little while later, I heard his bell jingling - we'd put a collar with a bell on him after having difficulty locating his hidey holes. When I went into the bathroom to pet him, he stood up on his hind legs to be petted, although he was still behind the commode. He then scampered to his water bowl for a prolonged drink. (Before this, he had refused to leave his crouch behind the commode even to go to his food and water bowl, located at an opposite corner of our tiny bathroom.) He even allowed me to brush him, something he has never done before. At one point, he even stretched out on his side, something he hasn't done in days! I tell you, that stuff is magic! Although I was initially sceptical and reluctant to part with the equivalent of the price of three large McValue meals for it, I can vouch that it's worth every sen!
Next up, the Original Spice Meows. I sprayed some on their brush and approached Ginger. After sniffing at it, he sat trance-like, and allowed me to brush him for as long as I wished. Normally, brushing time is at His choosing and he will walk away when he decides he's had enough. Today, he just sat and sat, so I brushed and brushed. I then tried brushing Pepa. She's never liked being brushed and will bite the brush or run away. But today, after sniffing the brush, she started rubbing her cheek against it. She also allowed me to brush her to my satisfaction, even rolling onto her back to let me brush her tummy. That stuff is magic.
Finally, it was Saffron's turn. The claim on the spray can was that it will make my cat happy and relaxed. How will it affect Saffron? I've read that catnip doesn't have an effect on all cats. Since it has worked on all the other cats, will Saffron be the odd cat out? I sprayed some on his toy fish and offered it to him. He didn't show any interest at all and continued crouching behind the commode. (He's been sequestered in the bathroom ever since he started manifesting his bizzarre behaviour.) Aisey. He's the one needing Prozac the most. So I left him alone.
A little while later, I heard his bell jingling - we'd put a collar with a bell on him after having difficulty locating his hidey holes. When I went into the bathroom to pet him, he stood up on his hind legs to be petted, although he was still behind the commode. He then scampered to his water bowl for a prolonged drink. (Before this, he had refused to leave his crouch behind the commode even to go to his food and water bowl, located at an opposite corner of our tiny bathroom.) He even allowed me to brush him, something he has never done before. At one point, he even stretched out on his side, something he hasn't done in days! I tell you, that stuff is magic! Although I was initially sceptical and reluctant to part with the equivalent of the price of three large McValue meals for it, I can vouch that it's worth every sen!
Left: Saffron before catnip - crouching, fearful. Right: Saffron after catnip - stretched out, relaxed.
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