Alternatives to catnip can be a happy-making boon for fussy or geriatric cats

Enrichment for indoor cats is the focus of a lot of talk these days, which is something I'm glad to see. With the push to keep cats indoors, it's keeping them healthier and safer, but in all honesty, many cats are bored to death. 

Cats are hunters. In the wild, they hunt, eat, groom, sleep, repeat—24 hours a day. They don't suffer boredom the way that indoor cats do. In a piece from earlier this year, I highlighted just one of the ways that veterinary professionals are trying to combat that. But there's so much more that we can do.

I often recommend using catnip as a form of enrichment in cats, especially those who are indoors-only, but it's also useful in other ways. 

Before taking cats to the vet, medicating them or administering sub-q fluids, I give them a little to set a positive tone, and coupled with Feliway it's especially effective. I also use it as an enhancement to boost a waning appetite in older cats, especially those struggling with inappetence associated with chronic kidney disease. Give said kitties a little catnip a few minutes before setting down a dish of food, and that can pique their interest. 

Some say that the herb doesn't seem to have quite the same effect on their feline friends, and for others, it doesn't seem to elicit the same effect as it once did. But there's some good news: they might have an alternative. 

A recent study on how catnip and three other plants—silver vine, valerian root and Tatarian honeysuckle—affect cats, yielded some interesting results. 

Researcher and owner of Cowboy Cat Ranch, Sebastiaan Bol, got the idea to test how the old standby fared alongside the other plants, and used participants from a cat sanctuary, a shelter, an animal hospital and even those living in family homes. The cats were divided into three behavioral categories: those who tended to be scared or shy, an intermediate (cats who had interest in being approached and would accept being petted) and affectionate cats (those who would approach and ask for pets).

Age, nor personality didn't seem to matter in terms of responding favorably and the same was true in terms of the sex of the cats. It does seem important to note that those who were more advanced in age had less-intense responses when given any of the plants. 23 of the 100 cats included in the study responded to all four.

Overall, silver vine was the most favored of the offerings, followed by catnip, Tatarian honeysuckle and lastly, valerian root. 

I found this study especially intriguing as in working with a lot of older cats, I'm looking for more ways to offer additional enrichment when the more traditional tools in my arsenal have fallen out of favor. If your cat isn't feeling the love when given catnip, you might perhaps try a different brand, or you can even consider introducing some silver vine.

Lorrie Shaw is a freelance writer and owner of Professional Pet Sitting. She has been a featured guest on the Pawprint Animal Rescue Podcast, talking about her career working with companion animals and in animal hospice -- and the benefits of introducing palliative care with one's pet earlier. Shoot her an email, contact her at 734-904-7279 or follow her adventures on Twitter.

Dogs have a preference for new toys, but it's possible to make what's old new again

Toys and play are a big part of life with pets, and I'm sure that my household is no different than yours — assorted pet toys, especially dog toys strewn about the house. When mine was a two-dog household, before my Labrador passed last year, it was clear that he and my now 15-year-old St. Bernard/shepherd mix, Gretchen, had different play styles.

Fast forward to now, and things haven't changed much. Gretchen has more toys than ever, and it's not for her being spoiled: with her arthritis ever-advancing, mobility that is changing and a mind that is impeccably sharp, it's important to me that she have the opportunity to use her mental skills and retain as much of her physical ability as possible. She still loves her food puzzles, chew toys and though the occasional tennis ball isn't high on her list, it's hard to ignore the sparkle in her eyes when she was first presented with a "fresh" one.

Yes, even in her twilight Gretchen continues to be an ardent neophile. She's not alone — we know that dogs habituate with their toys and any excitement that they have is short-lived. 

The truth is though I've purchased a lot of products, I always need to be mindful about what I bring home, considering the limitations that Gretchen may have. Some toys have worked great, others lie woefully in the corner. It's few that are in between those two spectrums these days.

I could be daunted by this, and admittedly I am at times, but rather than allowing it to be a perpetual bane to my wallet, I use her interest in all things new to my advantage.
Having had a lot of experience with older dogs, I've learned that improvising when necessary, homing in on what a pet finds interesting and remembering the old adage, "what's old is new again" is a friend.  

There are ways to reboot a dog's new toy experience with one they have already had some fun with, even their favorites.

Rotating toys can help, and it's an easy way to mitigate toy boredom (or habituation). Removing toys after a time and reintroducing other ones that have had previous exposure will keep things a bit more exciting.

Even reintroducing a toy in a different environment — perhaps outdoors — can help the pet see the item in a new light.

How a toy is used can make all of the difference. I was quoted in The Star Tribune for a piece on top picks for hot toys, and I stressed that while toys are great, the human element is a significant factor in getting maximum fun out of play. 

It's important to remember that dogs are social creatures, and the interaction between them and their favored humans can be integral when it comes to their connection with an object of play. In fact, when it comes to an old toy, the act of including the toy while engaging your dog can transform any habituation that they might have with it into a fun, new association.

Lorrie Shaw is a freelance writer and owner of Professional Pet Sitting. Shoot her an email, contact her at 734-904-7279 or follow her adventures on Twitter.