Do you will have a hyper or pressured cat and have to calm them down? Do you get pleasure from watching your cats work together with catnip?
In that case, you need to attempt utilizing Valerian root to calm cats in your family. It’s a enjoyable, secure, and efficient approach to relieve stress and calm cats down.
What Is Valerian Root?
Valerian is a herb, and it’s the foundation of the plant that’s utilized in medicines and kitty toys.
It’s also known as “nature’s Valium”, resulting from its potential to assist enhance sleep and robust calming properties for us. It additionally has an identical impact on cats, as I’ll be explaining on this article.
It does this resulting from a number of the compounds within the root. Particularly; valerenic acid, isovaleric acid, actinidine, and a wide range of antioxidants.
Actinidine appears to be the principle compound that impacts cats. That is additionally one of many lively compounds present in catnip, so in case your cats go wild for catnip they need to get pleasure from Valerian, too.
When inhaled or ingested, these compounds change the chemical stability within the mind. As with most medicinal herbs, they provide a secure various to conventional meds.
There is no such thing as a doubt that some cats go loopy for Valerian. Typically adopted by a mellow, calming response. There’s small % that aren’t affected in any respect, as is the case with all herbs.
Tips on how to Use Valerian Root to Calm Cats

As with catnip, I wish to know the way a lot my cats are getting so I can monitor them for any unusual reactions and ensure they’re not getting an excessive amount of.
You should purchase toys which have been laced or stuffed with Valerian, however I want to purchase the herb dried and put it of their toys myself.
In case you don’t have any little fluffy mice or appropriate toys, decide up one thing like these catnip crammed tea luggage under on Amazon and add some Valerian.
Or, you may sprinkle some on their cat tree or conceal a pinch somewhere else. It has a robust odor, so your cats aren’t going to have any points detecting it.
No matter stimulates them to get lively and have some enjoyable will work. Though, as soon as they’ve a grip on the scented toy, don’t be stunned in the event that they go into chill-out mode.
Wish to attempt Valerian for your self? Here’s a Valerian and Catnip natural mix out there on Amazon to attempt together with your cats:
Why Give Cats Valerian Root?
Let’s be sincere, after we notice our cats enter some sort of euphoria-like state from a herb like catnip, we’re very happy to present it to them.
It’s enjoyable watching a cat roll round dribbling like they’re using a hashish excessive.
It’s necessary to remember that there are some sensible makes use of for Valerian too. Equivalent to:
Decreasing Stress
You should utilize it as a pure natural treatment to assist a pressured cat really feel, nicely, much less pressured.
Your cat may be pressured resulting from shifting dwelling, getting back from a trip to the vet, loud noises like fireworks, introducing a new cat to the home, the listing goes on.
Regardless of the purpose, a pressured cat will not be a contented cat. It’s solely truthful you try to do one thing to assist them out.
Decreasing Aggression

There’s nothing enjoyable about coping with an aggressive cat. They’re able to doing us – and different cats – some critical injury.
Perhaps you’ve simply adopted a brand new cat, launched a brand new cat into the house, otherwise you’re unsure why your cat is being aggressive. It’s price attempting to calm them with some Valerian scented toys.
Bonding and Taking part in
There are few issues better and extra rewarding for my part than the bond between cat and proprietor.
By introducing some Valerian into their toys while you play they’ll affiliate the calming expertise with you.
Belief me, that is higher than winding up your cat and making a hyperactive fall of chaos. Particularly while you simply need to be left alone to sleep and so they need to play.
Associated – How to use MiraLax with your cat.
Will Valerian Work on My Cat?
There is no such thing as a method of understanding this with out attempting. I keep in mind shopping for some catnip after I was a child and giving it to our household cat, solely to be upset that he didn’t need to know.
So, I attempted it with the neighbor’s cat – the identical factor, he wasn’t .
I believed I had a “duff” batch, however I went on to seek out out that solely an estimated 50% of cats react to catnip. I assume I used to be simply unfortunate with these two.
The identical applies to valerian. Some cats will react to it, and a few gained’t. I’m unsure what % are inclined, however researching this on-line it’s estimated to be greater than 50%.
The nice factor is that in case your cat doesn’t react to catnip, it doesn’t imply they are going to be resistant to all natural stimulants. It’s nonetheless price attempting them with some Valerian.
If you wish to see what it seems to be like when is affected by Valerian, simply take a look at this man rubbing it throughout himself and rolling round in euphoria:
In Abstract
You must now be absolutely knowledgeable about what the herb Valerian root is, and the way you should utilize it to assist calm your cats and provides them some enjoyment.
In case you’re to know extra about pure cat stimulants I like to recommend studying this post explaining what Matatabi (silver vine) sticks are too.
That is one other stimulant that impacts a bigger % of cats than catnip, and in addition has some dental hygiene advantages.
Assets
Picture credit – Photographs by Dan Smedley, Aleesha Wooden, and Florencia Viadana on Unsplash
Valerian Root – Healthline.com