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Cats On Catnip

What drives cats wild? Catnip, scientifically known as Nepete Cataria is the herb that will send your cat to the wild side. Scientist believe that the name “Nepeta” originates from a town in Italy called Nepete. The second part of the name “Cataria” probably comes from the Latin word for cat. Consequently, the Nepeta Cataria plant (where catnip comes from) secretes an oil from within its leaves and stems called Nepetalactone. As a result, cats on catnip is what drives them wild.

Catnip Oil: Nepetalactone

Your cat is peacefully sitting on the couch when he catches a scent. What kind of scent can turn a sleeping cat into a psycho kitty? The kind of scent that comes when Nepetalactone oil is activated. When you rub catnip between your fingers the oil becomes alive. Suddenly, you cat wakes to the aroma of that kitty drug scientifically known as Nepetalactone. Therefore, the alluring chemical composition in the Nepeta Cataria plant is what cats can’t resist.

The Catnip Plant

Meet the catnip plant.

Have toothed, heart shaped leafs
Have toothed, heart shaped leafs

Botanical Classification:

Family:  Lamiaceae

Genus:  Nepeta

Species:  Cataria

The catnip plan has over 200 species. So what is it about this plant that drives cats wild? What can take your kitty from its restful state to “kitty happiness” or even “psycho kitty”? It’s the chemical substances nepetalactone, which is the active ingredient from the leaves and stems of the catnip plant. Properly sealed, this oil remains hidden within dried catnip. The oil comes alive when you rub it between your fingers or when it is crushed. Our catnip here at Crack For Kitty is perfectly dried to seal in the nepetalactone oil. This oil is only released upon rubbing or crushing resulting in catnip that stays fresh longer. Only the best for our kitties means only the best for your kitties.

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How To Grow Catnip

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Catnip is your feline’s drug of choice. From rolling in it to eating it, chances are that your cat is addict to this kitty drug. Unlike most human drugs, catnip is safe for your kitty. So, go ahead and let your cat enjoy itself and get lost in a euphoric state of kitty bliss. However, if you are purchasing your catnip, it can get expensive especially if you have a out of control kitty addict on your hands. While we here at Crack For Kitty, offer the most potent catnip known to this universe, you might want to try something new this year and attempt to grow your own. How to grow catnip.

Scientifically known as Nepeta Cataria, the catnip plant is a perennial herb that originates from the mint family. Catnip can be grown from a seed, plant cuttings, or from a pre-started plant. If you are sowing your catnip plant from a seed then now, early spring, is the time to start them. You can also start your catnip plant indoors. Catnip seeds take about 5 to 10 days to germinate. After the last frost date, you can transplant your new catnip plants outside.

What You Need To Know About Growing Catnip

  • USDA hardiness for perennial catnip is zones 3a through 9b.
  • Catnip plants like a well drained average soil.
  • You can also use soilless mixes such as: vermiculite, coco peat, perlite and rockwool.
  • Catnip can be seeded right in the ground or raised in a pot.
  • While some plants need acidic soil and others alkaline, catnip plants do not seem to mind the pH of the soil. Any pH range from 6.1 (acidic) to 7.8 (alkaline) will do.
  • If you are planting your own catnip (and they didn’t seed themselves) be sure that you give each plant 15 to 18 inches of space.
  • Catnip prefers to be planted in full sunshine however, catnip plants will grow in shady areas as well.
  • Catnip can grow to a height of 3 to 4 feet.
  • Water is essential for life, but do not over water your catnip plants. Allow the soil to go dry between soakings.
  • The catnip plant is sturdy against most diseases however, can be susceptible to spider and whitefly mites.
  • Most insects are repelled by the catnip plant with the exception of the good ones such as bees and butterflies.

Catnip grows like a weed (weed for cats) so be mindful where you plant it. Catnip self seeds itself which means when the little white flowers appear it is beginning the self seeding process. If you do not want it to spread, quickly get those white flowers off. However, no matter how vigilant you may be in your attempt to prevent spreading, the catnip will always find a way to spread.

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Cats Just Want To Have Fun

Bengal Cats playing with selmade ToyJust like little human children, cats love to play. Actually, it does not matter if your kitty is a kitten or a adult, they love to play just the same. And just like little children, cats get excited when you get them a new toy to play with. If you’ve been down the cat aisle at the pet store lately you probably discovered a whole aisle (or more) dedicated just to cat toys. The cat toy aisle is every cats dream come true! What a joy a kitty would have running up and down this section of the pet store. From traditional catnip mice to fancy electronic laser pointers and everything in between can now be found at a pet toy store near you. However, depending on which toy you are looking to buy, some can get really expensive. Do you have to decide between food and entertainment for your kitty? Remember, cat just want to have fun.

Now granted, not every toy in the cat toy aisle cost “an arm and a leg” or is going to set you back financially however, you want to be able to see the joy and glee in your kitties eyes every time you get them a new toy, don’t you? Instead of buying new toys for your kitty try making your own. Cats don’t care what you paid (or even if your paid at all) for the toy. Cats just want to know that you care enough to think about them. In fact, most cats seem very happy playing with something that you would consider a piece of garbage such as used foil or a bottle cap. However, as with any toy, just be sure that you supervise your kitty’s playtime so that they don’t get into something that would hurt them. Making and/or finding your own cat toys can save you lots of money especially since the toys you buy at the store never last very long anyways. Cats just want to have fun!

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Catnip Non-Cat Purposes

Nepeta Cataria plant
Nepeta Cataria plant

According to a Indian theory of existence, “Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission.” Catnip is no exception to this ancient theory of existence. In fact, catnip has many purposes to both cats and humans. Besides getting cats high, the ultimate kitty drug, catnip can also be used for many human aliments. Catnip non-cat purposes.

The catnip plant’s botanical name is Nepeta Cataria. Catnip is also called: cat’s-heal-all, nip, cat’s-wort, catnep, nep, catrup, field-balm and of course, crack for kitty. Coming from the mint family, catnip is very potent and powerful in taste and smell. Nepeta Cataria aka catnip, has been used since ancient times from everything from treating colds to assisting in the treatment of insomnia. Here is a list of some of the popular uses for nip from around the world:

Catnip Uses:

  • Cold and Flu
  • Anxiety Disorder
  • Relief of Toothaches
  • Treatment of Sore Gums
  • Relief from Colic
  • Reducing a Fever
  • Preventing Nausea
  • Treating Headaches
  • Treating Migraines
  • Menstruation Pain
  • Insomnia

Catnip can be used: dried, frozen, fresh, whole and milled. You can prepare catnip as a: tincture, tea, poultice and/or infusion.

It is even believed that smoking the leafs from catnip can produce a mild hallucinogenic effect. Historically, American Indians and people in the 1960’s and 70’s would roll up catnip leafs and smoke it in a attempt to get some mild hallucinogens aka a high.

Some historical evidence points to the root of the catnip plant being used for the opposite of that of the tranquility of the stem and leafs. It is believed that the root was thought to make a person fierce. Catnip root may have been used in ancient times to make a normal placid person bloodthirsty and aggressive. This would have been very useful in the time of battle or war.

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Scubanite Catnip

Green Glow from Planet Meow
Green Glow from Planet Meow

Scubanite blend of catnip is from another world. One look at where this Nepeta Cataria

plant chooses to grow and you too will believe that Scubanite is not of this planet. Scubanite Catnip will make your cat see spaceships and flying mice when they taste Scubanite, our premium and most potent blend of catnip.

Nepeta Cataria, this catnip is organically grown and pesticide free. This exclusive blend is handpicked for perfection then air dried sealing in the nepetalactone oil, the natural catnip oil that drives cats wild. The leaves and flowers are then gently taken off the Scubanite05branches carefully so that the leaves stay whole and do not break. As fresh as if it was just taken off of the plant from planet meow. It does not get any fresher then this!

We’ve said it before but it’s worth mentioning again and again most (if not all) store brand catnips are milled. This means that the catnip is put through a machine, stems and all, and are crunched up. This catnip comes out looking like sawdust. Once the leaves and flowers are crushed they begin to lose their potency due to the nepetalactone oil being released upon the breaking and crushing. You can still use milled catnip and it can still be “fresh” however, most store bought catnip has been sitting around for awhile therefore, it is not fresh.Scubanite02

Whole leaf and flower catnip will stay fresher much longer then store bought catnip. Our catnip will last up to three years if stored in a cool, dry and sealed environment. When kitty is ready for it just crush a little to release the latent catnip oils and there you go, potent and fresh as if I had just been dried it.

Currently, our catnip comes in a resealable bag containing 4 grams of catnip. Yes, it is light on weight but don’t let that fool you. This stuff might be light on weight but it’s extremely potent. You only need to give your cat about two leaves or a leaf and a flower to get the same results as you would from regular catnip. Each bag has roughly 20 servings.

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Wild N’ Free Catnip Blend

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What is our Wild N’ Free catnip blend? It is 100 % USDA certified organic catnip which means it is free of all pesticides. It is also non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism). Our Crack for Kitty Catnip is grown in the USA under strict standards and harvested for maximum purity and potency.

Bring out the wild in your little one with our premium and very potent Wild N’ Free blend of catnip. Nepeta Cataria, this exclusive blend is handpicked for perfection then air dried sealing in the nepetalactone oil, the natural catnip oil that drives cats wild. The leaves and flowers are then gently taken off the branches carefully so that the leaves stay whole and do not break. As fresh as if it was just taken off of the plant. It does not get any fresher then this!

Wild N Free02The problem with most catnip is the milling process. Once the leaves are crushed they begin to lose their potency due to the nepetalactone oil being released upon the breaking and crushing of the leaves and flowers. Milled catnip is still usable as long as it is fresh however, most store bought catnip has been sitting around for awhile.

In this whole leaf and flower state, your catnip will last much longer. I’ve stored catnip in this state for up to three years and when I crushed a little for my kitties it was still potent and fresh as if I had just dried it. As long as it is kept cool, dry, sealed and away from kitties you can store it for some time. This way, you will always have a stock pile of your cats favorite ‘fix’ on hand.

Currently, we are selling it in resealable bags containing 4 grams of catnip. Don’t let the weight fool you! This stuff is light on weight but it’s extremely potent. You only need to Wild N Free04give your cat about two leaves or a leaf and a flower to get the same results as you would from regular catnip. Be sure to crush or rub between you fingers to awaken the nepetalactone oils. Each bag has roughly 20 servings.

It was a good season this past summer so we have plenty on hand. But don’t wait too long; when we’re out you will have to wait until next summer to get some of this exclusive blend.

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Christmas Stocking CATNIP

When you hang up those stockings by the fireplace don’t forget about one for your kitty. Cat’s love Christmas too! Now you can get Crack For Kitty CATNIP prearranged in a Christmas package. This holiday stocking is ready to give to your kitty or to the cat lover in your life. Contained within each stocking you will find a resealable bag containing 0.5 oz of catnip. Each bag has roughly 10 tablespoons or one months worth of catnip. Of course, you may not get a months worth out of this bag if you have more than one cat or if your cat(s) are catnip addicts.
XmasCatnip08
Our catnip is 100 % USDA certified organic catnip which means it is free of all pesticides and is non-GMO. Grown in the USA under strict standards and harvested for maximum purity and potency. Each bag of Crack For Kitty Catnip contains only catnip leaves and flowers (no fillers, just pure catnip bliss). Scientifically known as Nepeta Cataria but to cats, it is simply kitty crack!

Make your cat feel blissful and groovy by sprinkling out about a tablespoon 2 to 3 times a week. The euphoric state typically lasts 2 to 5 minutes. Sometimes, you can get up to 15 minutes of kitty high depending on your cat. Be sure to rub some catnip between your fingers to release the chemical known as nepetalactone; the natural catnip oil that drives cats wild.

NOTE: Occasionally, small amounts of stems from leaves and flowers might be found in the mixture. This catnip is safe for human use and consumption. Kittens will not respond to catnip until they are about six months old. Sadly, 10 to 30 percent of cats will not respond at all to catnip.

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Christmas Package CATNIP Sack

XmasCatnip01Don’t forget about your cat this Christmas. Cat’s love Christmas too! Now you can get Crack For Kitty CATNIP prearranged in a Christmas package. This holiday sack is ready to give to your kitty or to the cat lover in your life. Each sack is hand sewn from 100% natural burlap then topped off with a festive bow. Inside the burlap sack you will find a resealable bag containing 0.5 oz of catnip. Each bag has roughly 10 tablespoons or one months worth of catnip. Of course, you may not get a months worth out of this bag if you have more than one cat or if your cat(s) are catnip addicts.

Our catnip is 100 % USDA certified organic catnip which means it is free of all pesticides and is non-GMO. Grown in the USA under strict standards and harvested for maximum purity and potency. Each bag of Crack For Kitty Catnip contains only catnip leaves and flowers (no fillers, just pure catnip bliss). Scientifically known as Nepeta Cataria but to cats, it is simply kitty crack!
XmasCatnip07
Make your cat feel blissful and groovy by sprinkling out about a tablespoon 2 to 3 times a week. The euphoric state typically lasts 2 to 5 minutes. Sometimes, you can get up to 15 minutes of kitty high depending on your cat. Be sure to rub some catnip between your fingers to release the chemical known as nepetalactone; the natural catnip oil that drives cats wild.

NOTE: Occasionally, small amounts of stems from leaves and flowers might be found in the mixture. This catnip is safe for human use and consumption. Kittens will not respond to catnip until they are about six months old. Sadly, 10 to 30 percent of cats will not respond at all to catnip.

EXTRA NOTE: Each order is for ONE sack however, you can order as many sacks as you want. Since the each sack is hand made there will be slight variations between each one such as size. Also, the topper (bow) may not necessary match the product picture.

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