Valerian is available at almost every pharmacy. It typically comes in two forms: an alcohol tincture or tablets. While this medication has always been effective in calming humans, it has a completely different effect on cats. So, can cats be given valerian?
General information about valerian
Valerian has been known for a long time, even since ancient times. It is believed that the most medicinal parts of this plant are the roots, which have always been used in ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome, the East, and India.
But besides the scientific name - valerian officinalis, this plant also has several popular names - cat grass, cat root, or moun – herb. This is because the scent of this plant has a special effect on cats.
Valerian is a plant that belongs to to the family of perennial herbsThis grass grows near bodies of water, as well as in marshy areas and lowlands. The plant consists of the following parts:
- A thick and tall stem that can reach up to two meters in height.
- Pinkish flowers collected in an umbel.
- A small, short and loose root that has many branches.
As soon as cats smell this plant, they will immediately gather near it. It has been proven that cats can detect this scent from a very long distance. Cats react to this medicinal plant in an unusual way: they roll around, trying to damage the plant. then they lick off the juice.
This leads to the fact that they begin to roll and lie on the ground, they can also jump, but, most importantly, they meow very loudlyValerian's stimulating effect is only noticeable in cats; in humans, this medicinal plant is used as a sedative.
Cats' reaction to valerian
The stimulating effect of valerian on cats has long been noted. Just holding the lid of the medicine bottle to the cat's nose immediately triggers a tingling sensation. cling to her and lick her, not letting anyone near and not giving it away.
Only after that will he begin to behave strangely. The medication's effects will wear off in 10-15 minutes. After that, the cat will go about its business as if nothing had happened.
Why do cats react this way to valerian? There are several reasons:
- Cats are addicted to certain plants. Valerian is one of them.
- Valerian's scent resembles that of cat hormones. This explains why the medicinal plant only works on cats.
Based on this, valerian do not give to cats, as it serves as a kind of drug for animals. And over time, such use will also lead to the animal becoming lethargic, constantly feeling unwell, and developing various illnesses. There have even been cases where the animal has died.
Can I give my cat valerian, which comes in tablet form?
Valerian tablets are known to be more potent and dangerous than drops. This is because the composition of the medication in tablets is modified compared to that in drops.
So, the tablets contain a quarter of valerian, and the rest is synthetic excipients, which can cause allergies.
If you still had to give your cat several pills, and now he sleeps all the time, then it is necessary seek medical attention immediately or even take them to the clinic as soon as possible.
Is valerian harmful to cats?
Valerian for cats is a kind of drug, and drugs are never beneficial. Veterinarians believe it's not a good idea to play around with cats' health and give them this medication for fun.
There is another way out of this situation: you can buy a special soft toy designed for cats, which is already impregnated with a substance called “catnip"This herb can be found everywhere, its effect is not so strong on the cat's body, and many cats are simply indifferent to it.
For example, it is believed that kittens, until they are six months old they don't react at all on the effect of this medication. Furthermore, there are some cat breeds, such as Siamese, that are also resistant to valerian.
If the cat is also ready for mating at this moment, then You shouldn't give her valerian, because she is already in an excited state, and the remedy from the medicinal plant will only increase this desire.
And then it's still unknown how this adventure will end for the cat. At such times, it's best to give her "Bayun Cat," which will have a calming effect. But only if you don't expect her to produce purebred offspring.
But sometimes valerian is given to a cat for medicinal purposesIn small doses, it is known to be beneficial for treating gastrointestinal tract disorders, as well as nervous system disorders. Veterinarians claim that valerian drops are beneficial for cats' thyroid glands and help normalize their function, but such treatment should only be administered under medical supervision.
Don't overdo it when giving your cat valerian, as the consequences can be dire. Incidentally, an overdose can also negatively impact your cat's health.
Symptoms of overdose
There are known cases where a cat was able to get to the valerian root on its own, and even managed to eat a pack of tablets or open a bottle of medicinal tincture.
As a result of this, there was an onset drug overdose, and immediate intervention by a veterinarian was required, because the animal’s life was in danger.
Signs of an overdose include the following:
- the cat falls on its side;
- white foam comes out of the mouth;
- convulsions;
- eyes roll back.
It's always worth remembering that veterinarians give a positive answer to the question of whether valerian is harmful to cats. Therefore, its use should only be as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision, since each animal is individual and they can tolerate the medicine differently.
