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Tag Archives: herbal
Make Your Own Catnip Toys
I am putting you in a trance. You will give me the toy NOW!
I absolutely never saw a chocolate anything that I didn’t like. Or at least if I did, I certainly don’t remember it now.
That is the way most cats are about catnip. If it is filled with catnip, sprayed with catnip oil or just in its natural leafy state, as long as it smells like catnip, most cats will go into a euphoric daze over it.
Of course, all catnip toys are the favorite and don’t you dare try to remove them from the middle of the floor or the cat bed until the cat decides they are good and ready to part with the toy. Cats who love catnip can be very jealous, territorial and possessive when it comes to their catnip or catnip toys.
I decided a long time ago that catnip toys seemed a little pricey to me for what they were and my cats shredded them within days of purchase. So I decided ro grow my own catnip for the cat’s entertainment and to go in an herbal tea from my garden when the mood hit me.
Catnip is a member of the mint family and you will find all mints are really easy to grow. Put some potting soil in a pot, throw in a few seeds and water when the need arises and you will have a bumper crop of catnip in no time. It is best however, if you grow the catnip somewhere the cat won’t get into it. I can guarantee they will be into it as soon as the tiny sprouts break through the soil.
When my catnip gets big enough to pick I hang some upside down from the ceiling out of reach of my little darlings to dry, I do give he cats a few sprigs for their immediate satisfaction, otherwise they get really pushy. When dry, just grind the leaves with a mortar and pestle then store in an airtight container. I store mine in the refrigerator so it retains the fresh flavor.
As far as toys are concerned, I also learned a long time ago that the cat does not care if the toy looks like a mouse or other animal, they don’t care if it is in a ball or other shape and they have no interest in what it actually looks like at all.
So I use old socks that have no mate to make toys for my cats. Come on, we all have them and we never find the other one although we keep the mismatched one just in case we do happen to run across the missing sock. Frugality and all that, you know.
Anyway, I cut the socks across the foot and top to make pillow like pouches. Then I use a hot glue gun and hem the edges to stick them down so they won’t fray. Then glue one end closed, put in the catnip and glue the other end shut.
Viola! there you have a perfect little catnip pillow/toy for your pet. I try to keep the catnip toys picked up because catnip makes many cats drool and you really don’t want to step on a cold cat spit soggy toy in the middle of the night or any other time for that matter.
I buy catnip oil spray at Only Natural Pet Store to refresh the toys when they start to lose their attractive smell for the cats.
By using these home made catnip toys, I have saved a lot on cat toys over the years and my cats have always enjoyed the home made toys as much as anything I bought for them. In fact, they actually seem to like them more because the catnip you grow then refresh with catnip oil is much more aromatic than what you buy at the pet store. Who knows how long since the fresh catnip was put into those toys.
An added plus is that you know what was used on the catnip you grew. There are no mystery ‘preservatives’ or insecticides in the catnip you grow yourself and you know the material in the sock is clean and safe.
Try making your own toys for your cat using catnip you grow yourself or organic catnip you buy at the store. If you must have a mouse shaped toy, then cut the material you use accordingly. But before you go through a whole lot to make the toy attractive in your eyes, look at what a catnip toy looks like after a few days abuse by your pet.
Seriously, the cats do not care what the toys look like…..really!
Fluffyfeet Now Has a Wysong Store
Cute Ferret
Fluffyfeet is proud to add Wysong to our Pet Supplies Mall. Check out this store! They have natural food for cats, dogs, ferrets and horses. Wysong also carries natural supplements for your pets. But, the really great thing is that you can get some really good supplements and natural treats for yourself while you are there. Yes, they also have goodies for humans.
Seriously, make yourself and your pet feel better by giving both of you natural foods to improve your health and generally make you feel good. They will make your coat nice and shiny, too 
Go here to visit our new store and save 10% on your order or use the button below to go directly to the Wysong site.
Posted in Natural Pet Supplies Tagged all natural pet food, animals, cat, Cats, dog, Dogs, green, herbal Leave a comment
Herbal Medicine For Your Pet?
I know, I know. Many out there would shake their heads and walk away at the thought of herbal remedies for yourself let alone a beloved pet. Not to long ago I felt the same on both counts. It was my mother, the webmaster of this site, that convinced me to try herbal care for myself and it took a second round of convincing for me to agree to try it with our two cats. I am glad to say that both times she was right. However,I will add that as an adult man I AM growing a bit weary of making that statement over and over again.
At this time due to our living conditions we are not allowed a dog. It has been the longest period of both our lives that either has been without a canine companion. We are fortunate enough to be blessed with the friendship of our two feline companions, Douglas and Thunder. I am happy to say that they have both been stout and hearty cats over the years, but like all of us have had some minor health problems.
Douglas is a nine year old Maine Coon who we adopted from a group in Santa Monica Ca. called The Lang Foundation. At the age of seven months when we took him in he had already gone through the trauma of six adoptions and returns.
In general his health has been very good but before he was a year old he started to have problems with his teeth. Our vet in Malibu quickly found the problem and said it was common for Coons to have dental and gum problems. His treatment did keep the problem in check and for the next seven years of his life Douglas was forced to have cortisone injections every four to six weeks.
When we moved to a rural area with the nearest vet almost two hundred miles away Dougie’s problem went from minor to major. It got to the point where Dougie’s gums were so inflamed they were swelling over his teeth causing problems with eating.
I am happy to say we are giving him two herbal products that have corrected the problem without injections of drugs on a regular basis. The first is a product called Lubri-Herb witch is a herbal equivilent of cortisone. It keeps the inflammation of his gums in check. The second is a seaweed product called Plaque Off that removes tartar from his teeth. Douglas now happily chomps his food down with no problems. His only regret is that he always feels there is never enough food!
Our younger cat, Thunder, is a seven year old American Shorthair. We adopted him at the age of two and the breeder forewarned us of his severe allergies. These consisted of respiratory problems and a red discharge from his eyes. I drove 180 miles to pick this little guy up, one way. I soon could hear him huffing, snorting and puffing in his cat carrier. I tried everything. Top up and down, windows up and down, but nothing seemed to help his breathing. I was forced to stop every two to five miles to allow his breathing to settle down. I even tried alternating the A/C and the heater but nothing helped. I was afraid the poor little guy would suffocate before I got him home.
After about 150 miles and God only knows how many stops and soothing conversations along the road it dawned on me. He only had his breathing fits when we passed the exits. The very same exits where food was served! The little sucker was having fits over the smell of food! This was confirmed at home for several months when he had the same breathing fits at the smell of crab cakes or BBQ.
That did not mean he didn’t have allergies. He still suffers to this day from a reddish discharge from his eyes. He has been through several round of antibiotics for eye infection but they have never solved his problem. We have found a solution though. Its a product called Clear Vision from Natures Herbs for Pets. Two or three tablets a week with his food keeps his eyes bright and golden the way they should be. Sadly he still suffers from his breathing problem when he gets a whiff of a good smelling food!
Our cats are healthy and that’s what counts. You can try products like these from a shop on this site called “The Only Natural Pet Store”.
I can only hope you find things that will help your pet as much as they have helped mine.
