Nepeta

Nepeta is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae. The members of this group are known as catnip or catmint because of their famous effect on cats—nepeta pleasantly stimulates cats' pheromonic receptors, typically resulting in temporary euphoria. It can also induce mild euphoria in humans.
The genus is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is now also common in North America. Most of the species are herbaceous perennial plants, but some are annuals. They have sturdy stems with opposite heart-shaped, green to grayish-green leaves. The flowers are white, blue, pink or lilac and occur in several clusters toward the tip of the stems. The flowers are tubular and spotted with tiny purple dots.

Uses
Oil isolated from catnip by steam distillation is a repellent against insects, in particular mosquitoes, cockroaches and termites. Research suggests that in a test tube, distilled nepetalactone, the active ingredient in catnip, repels mosquitoes ten times more effectively than DEET, the active ingredient in most insect repellents, but that it is not as effective a repellent when used on the skin.Additionally, catnip and catnip-laced products designed for use with domesticated cats are available to consumers.

Species
Nepeta curviflora flowers
Nepeta cataria (Catnip, True Catnip, Catmint or Field Balm) is a 50–100 cm tall perennial herb resembling mint in appearance, with greyish-green leaves; the flowers are white, finely spotted with purple. It has been introduced to many countries, including the United States. A lemon-scented cultivar, N. cataria 'Citriodora', looks exactly like true catnip but has the scent of lemons and can be used like Lemon balm.
Nepeta grandiflora (Giant Catmint or Caucasus Catmint) is lusher than true catnip and has dark green leaves and dark blue, almost purple flowers.
Nepeta × faassenii (N. racemosa × N. nepetella; Faassen's Nepeta or Faassen's Catnip) is mostly grown as an ornamental plant. This hybrid is far smaller than either of above and is almost a ground cover. It has greyish-green leaves and light purple flowers.
Some Dracocephalum, Glechoma and Calamintha species were formerly classified in Nepeta.
Nepeta species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species including Coleophora albitarsella.
Selected species
Nepeta agrestis
Nepeta annua
Nepeta apuleii
Nepeta beltranii
Nepeta camphorata
Nepeta cataria
Nepeta ciliaris
Nepeta coerulescens
Nepeta curviflora
Nepeta densiflora
Nepeta dentata
Nepeta dirphya
Nepeta discolor
Nepeta elliptica
Nepeta everardi
Nepeta floccosa
Nepeta foliosa
Nepeta fordii
Nepeta glutinosa
Nepeta govaniana
Nepeta granatensis
Nepeta grandiflora
Nepeta heldreichii
Nepeta hemsleyana
Nepeta hindost
Nepeta hispanica
Nepeta italica
Nepeta jomdaensis
Nepeta kokamirica
Nepeta kokanica
Nepeta laevigata
Nepeta lamiopsis
Nepeta latifolia
Nepeta leucolaena
Nepeta leucophylla
Nepeta longibracteata
Nepeta manchuriensis
Nepeta melissifolia
Nepeta membranifolia
Nepeta micrantha
Nepeta multibracteata
Nepeta multifida
Nepeta mussinii
Nepeta nepalensis
Nepeta nepetella
Nepeta nervosa
Nepeta nuda
Nepeta parnassica
Nepeta parviflora
Nepeta phyllochlamys
Nepeta prattii
Nepeta pungens
Nepeta racemosa
Nepeta raphanorhiza
Nepeta scordotis
Nepeta sessilis
Nepeta sibirica
Nepeta sibthorpii
Nepeta souliei
Nepeta spruneri
Nepeta staintonii
Nepeta stewartiana
Nepeta sungpanensis
Nepeta supina
Nepeta taxkorganica
Nepeta tenuiflora
Nepeta tenuifolia
Nepeta tuberosa
Nepeta ucranica
Nepeta veitchii
Nepeta virgata
Nepeta wilsonii
Nepeta yanthina
Nepeta zandaensis
Natural hybrids
Nepeta × faassenii

Effects on cats
Catnip and catmints are mainly known for the behavioral effects they have on cats, particularly domestics. When cats sense the bruised leaves or stems of catnip, they may roll over it, paw at it, chew it, lick it, leap about and purr, or heavily salivate. Some will growl, meow, scratch, or bite the hand holding it.

A domestic cat demonstrating the effects of catnip such as rolling, pawing, and frisking
About two thirds of cats are susceptible to catnip. The phenomenon is hereditary; for example, most Australian cats do not react to it. There is some disagreement about the susceptibility of lions and tigers to catnip.
Catnip has nepetalactone, a terpene. Nepetalactone can be extracted from catnip by steam distillation. Cats detect it through their olfactory epithelium, not through their vomeronasal organ. At the olfactory epithelium, the nepetalactone binds to one or more olfactory receptors where it probably mimics a cat pheromone, such as the hypothetical feline facial pheromone or the cat urine odorant MMB.
Other plants that also have this effect on cats include valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and plants that contain actinidine or dihydroactinidiolide (Smith, 2005).

Cat Wise Clue

When you goes toy shopping you`ll come across many catnip filled or catnip scented toys. Some companies make top qualities catnip toys, but others use the lowest grade of catnip. If you know that the quality of the catnip is good and your cat respond to it, that`s great but you`re in doubt, its better to buy plain toys and rub catnip on them yourself.

When shoping loose catnip, choose brand that state that only leaves and blossom are use. Lot of stem in the catnip indicated lower quality

Not every cat responds to catnip, so dont be concerned if it has no effect on your cat. The catnip response inherited, and about one-third of the cat population lack this gene.

How Can I Make Catnip Toys?

When you make catnip toys, you can also play with things like texture and appearance. If you stuff paper in with the catnip, the toy will crackle in an appealing way, for example. You can also sew fins, feathers, or wings onto the toy, layering paper between the pieces of material for stiffness and added crackle. Avoid the use of mylar and plastics for crunch when you make catnip toys, as these materials can cut a cat's mouth or pose a choking hazard if swallowed. Trailing streamers can be made from thick fabric ribbons which are too large for your cat to swallow, and catnip toys can also be stuffed with bells or squeakers. Many pet stores carry replacement squeakers which you can use when you make catnip toys.

The key thing to remember when making catnip toys is that they should be fun and safe for cats. This means that care should be taken during assembly to avoid the use of dangling strings which could detach and be swallowed, along with other small pieces which could pose a choking hazard. If cats swallow things like buttons, strings, and beads, they may be able to digest and pass them, but they could potentially choke or develop an intestinal blockage, which could require costly surgery. Therefore, catnip toys should be made from sturdy materials, and they should be well-constructed. They should also be replaced if they start to fray or fall apart.

There are a variety of ways to make catnip toys, ranging from simply hand-sewing toys to knitting and felting toys for cats. Hand made catnip toys can make great gifts for cat owners, and they can also save money for people with cats, as they can be made from scrap materials and homegrown catnip, rather than being purchased at a pet store. For people with cats who tend to go through catnip toys quickly, being able to make replacements can cut down on costs significantly.

Tools and Materials
Catnip Rat Template
Felt
Stuffing
Rope
Catnip
Scissors
Hot glue gun and hot glue sticks
Extra felt (optional for eyes)

Catnip Rat How-To

1. Using the 7 1/2-inch template, cut out the bottom and side pieces of felt, using the circles for ears.

2. Glue the top edges of the side pieces to each other. Glue the bottom piece of felt to the bottom of the side pieces. Be sure to leave an opening in the back to insert stuffing.

3. For your stuffing, use cotton batting and catnip. Cut a piece of rope for the rat's tail and stuff in the back of the rat. Seal with glue, and glue on the ears. To add eyes, use a marker or felt.

Things You'll Need:
Dressmaker Pins
Fabrics
Needles
Sewing Machine
Threads
Scissors
Twine
Fresh dried catnip

Instructions
Step 1
Decide on the toy shape: mouse, heart, ball or whatever shape catches your fancy.
Step 2
Make a pattern by drawing the shape on a paper grocery bag, leaving a 3/8-inch seam allowance around the design.
Step 3
Cut the pattern out.
Step 4
Fold a piece of the scrap material you wish to use to make the toy, keeping the nice sides together.
Step 5
Pin the pattern onto the scrap material, and then cut out the pattern.
Step 6
Straight stitch a 3/8-inch seam around the cutout, but double check that the right sides are together before you do.
Step 7
Leave about an inch opening in seam.
Step 8
Trim the seam at the corners or curves, cutting from the outside to the edge of the sewn seam.
Step 9
Turn the toy right-side-out, and fill with dried catnip.
Step 10
Hand stitch the remaining 1-inch opening closed.

Tips & Warnings
If you are doing a mouse shape, add a tail by placing a piece of twine or cord inside as you sew the seam, with the long end inside of the material. Once you turn the material right-side-out, the long tail will be outside.
Consider growing your own organic catnip to use inside the cat toy.

catnip toy ideas

• 
  
  Catnip toys shaped like balls can be made by using food-binding agents. By offering such a toy to your pet, you will ensure that it can play with the toy until exhaustion and then break it with its paws and eat the ball!
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  You may also offer wand-like toys that resemble tail or a worm, to your cat. Fill the toy with catnip leaves and use it to tease your cat, by dragging the toy on the floor or tossing it in the air. This is a nice way to play with your pet.
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  Cats seem to be fascinated by soap bubbles and try to catch them. The idea has been translated into a beloved toy for kittens, in which the bubble toy catnip-scented bubbles, every time its button is pushed that stimulates your cat to jump and chase them. They also have provisions for refilling the bubble solution.
  
  
  


• 
  
  Pizza-shaped catnip toys on a bed of moss are perfect platter for your kitty. They are accented with fresh organic catnip and tasty cat treats like tuna flakes, salmon bits, anchovies and shrimp.
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  You can also give the most beloved sleeping companion to your cat as a mat shaped like a Fish or a Bird with a pocket for catnip leaves on each corner.
  
  
  

• 
  
  Larger than cats though, stuffed toys with catnips inside can make your cats dig in and play with them for a long time.
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  Refilling an old toy is a wonderful idea to provide your cat with long hours of entertainment. If you have any refillable old toy at stock, then you can refurbish its entire functionality, by filling it with fresh catnip leaves. The aroma of the leaves will instantly attract your pet to the worn-out toy. In case the toy is not refillable, rub some dried catnip leaves on its outer portion.
  
  
  


• 
  
  Old pair of socks can be put to best use. Fill the old sock with catnip. Now, sew the end of the filled sock or tie it into a tight knot. Your cat will be delighted to receive the catnip toy.
  
  
  


• 
  
  You may make use of catnip itself as the toy. For the purpose, put few catnip leaves on the floor, or in an empty cardboard box. As the cat sniffs around, it will be attracted to the box (filled with catnip leaves) or the trail of leaves. That way, you will ensure that the pet hangs around and plays with the 'toy' for a long time.
  
  
  


• 
  
  A catnip mouse toy would be the best bet for your pet, in case you are planning to bestow upon a gift. Battery-operated catnip mouse toys are easily available, in different sizes.
  
  
  


• 
  
  If your cat loves to chase balls, then give her a ball that is dusted with dried catnip leaves. If the ball is stuffed, then you may refill it with catnip leaves
  
  
  

If you want to sew catnip toys, pick a strong fabric such as a lightweight canvas or felt which will hold up to teeth and claws. You can sew a basic catnip “cigar” by making a simple tube, stuffing it with catnip, and sewing it up. For more creative crafters, it's possible to make little cloth mice, balls, and other shapes. This wiseGEEK author's cats happen to be fond, for example, of catnip toys in the shape of well-known politicians. Velcro or a zipper can be used to close the opening of a sewn catnip toy so that fresh catnip can be inserted periodically. Patterned fabrics can be used for more color variation, and features such as eyes, noses, and whiskers can be added with a fabric pen, if desired.
You can also make catnip toys by crocheting or knitting. Lots of free patterns are available on the Internet, and you can also develop your own, since the basic goal is simply to create a pouch for catnip. For toys which can be recharged with fresh catnip, you can fit a flap of velcro onto the opening. Knitted or crocheted toys can also be felted in the washing machine for a sturdier, more long-lasting toys

Remember

that small mice filled with catnip are especially popular among cats.

Question

How do I go about cleaning a Cat Nip Toy?
Without ruining the cat nip. Or perhaps there is no way
Best Answer
Unless its covered in something gross there really isnt any need to. A cat leaves its on sent on its toys and might not play with it anymore if you do clean it. I freshen them up by lightly misting them then rolling them in fresh catnip then toss it to my 'kids" and watch the fun!

up8rtb56ka