Many of us buy produce for our families that is certified organic because we believe that food grown without pesticides is better for us. Now you can show the same conscientiousness for your favorite feline. Catnip Toys has over 30 toys stuffed with certified organic catnip. What does this mean?

According to Wikipedia, organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants.

Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping that include: avoidance of synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc) and genetically modified organisms.

You can also grow your own catnip fairly easily. And you can make sure that there are no harmful chemicals associated with what you produce. Catnip (Nepeta cataria), is a member of the Mint family of aromatic herbs. It likes dry feet - meaning well drained soil and is heat and drought tolerant.

You can also use the catnip you grow for your feline companion in a relaxing tea for yourself. The active substance in catnip is a chemical compound called nepetalactone, which is closely related to another herbal relaxant, valerian. In humans this chemical is relaxing when steeped and served as a tea. It can also aid in treating congestion from allergies and colds.

For cats, catnip can either induce relaxation when ingested or stimulation if he rolls around in it. Cats can be very possessive of their catnip or their catnip toys, and some cats have been aggressive after use.

Not all cats respond equally to catnip. About 15% of cats lack the gene that causes them to react to catnip.

Catnip Toys

Posted by Barbara.