I grew catnip in my garden this year with the idea of drying it in the fall and making my own cat toys. However, I do not think I will ever get to do this, as my cats spend a great part of the day rolling around in the catnip bed and crushing all the plants. Plus, in the morning the plants are all crushed again by the stray cats in my neighborhood. Can my cats overdose from all this catnip? They seem fine when they are out of the bed, but while they are rolling and lounging in it, they certainly look like they are in another world.

You really do not need to worry. The element in catnip that cats enjoy so much never enters their bloodstream when they inhale it or eat it. The reaction you see is merely in response to the smell and taste. It is not a narcotic at all, and any cat can snap out of a catnip high whenever it chooses to do so. Catnip is in the mint family, and, like most mint plants, it grows quickly, so even though your cats seem to be abusing it a bit, I am sure you will have plenty to dry in the fall for your cats' winter enjoyment.

Carpet-clawing cat needs own cat tree


I have found that putting strips of double-sided tape on the edges of the steps works very well and is more convenient than aluminum foil and cardboard. No matter what you do, however, he will do his best to go around those repellents if he has no other place to use his claws. Get one of those big cat trees that have shelves covered with carpet. Place this near the stairs and make it as attractive to him as you have made the stairs unattractive with the tape and such. The best way to do this is by spreading loose catnip all over the shelves. Now when he walks over to the stairs to use his claws and finds them unattractive, he will see and smell the cat tree as an alternative. Thus you have tricked him into making your idea his idea.

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