Why cats love valerian: the main reasons for their sympathy

How does valerian affect representatives of the cat family?

Valerian is a well-known medicinal plant that grows mainly in swamps and lowlands. It has a low stem - up to one and a half meters in height, and is famous for its “healing” properties. Since ancient times, valerian has been used as a sedative or an auxiliary substance for the treatment of insomnia, mental disorders due to stressful situations and other diseases.

Later it turned out that not only people highly value valerian, but also their four-legged friends - cats. Moreover, for a long time it was not possible to find at least some logical explanation for the fact that animals change their mood so dramatically when they smell the smell of a plant.

But the reactions of cats and cats said the opposite - valerian had such a strong effect on them that the pets (and, indeed, wild cats too) began to behave, well, to put it mildly, inappropriately.

During long observations, we were able to name the most common reactions of the cat family to valerian:

• Loud “meowing”, screaming, constant rumbling.
• Friction against the stems of a plant or rolling on the floor if at least a few drops of infusion have been spilled on it.
• A sharp manifestation of aggression.
• Loss of sense of reality, uncoordinated gait.
• Excessive fear and shyness from a sharp sound or movement.

As a result, all the cats that showed a reaction to the plant received the same thing – a long and deep sleep.

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The situation can be visually depicted as follows.

What is the reason for this behavior? Scientists have conducted a number of studies and identified possible reasons.

Maddening medicine

The beneficial effect of valerian on people and cats is associated with its main component, essential oil. Pharmacological activity is determined by its constituent valepotriates, esters of 12 alcohols and 10 organic acids. They make up only 1-3.3% of the raw material, but have a multifaceted therapeutic effect on the body:

• depress the central nervous system
• normalize heart function,
• relieve muscle spasms,
• increase the secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract
• improve bile secretion.

It is not for nothing that the word “valere” is translated from Latin as “to be healthy.” For a long time people have idolized this magical plant. But why do cats go crazy on valerian? Why is this medicinal plant called cat incense or mountain herb?

The indifference of purrs to valerian is explained by the aroma that is sexy for them. It is similar to the smell of pheromones released by a cat during heat. When these volatile substances are inhaled, a release of “male” hormones occurs in the cat’s body, causing the animal to become sexually aroused and fall into ecstasy.

Do all cats react the same to valerian?

Scientists have proven that not all four-legged pets show the same interest in the plant.

According to statistics, about 35% of cats and about 70% of male cats react especially acutely to valerian.

This suggests that cats are more prone to mood swings than females.

In addition, not only adult animals, but also young animals took part in the research. So, in such situations, a certain pattern was also visible: the kittens practically did not react in any way to either the smell or taste of the plant.

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This is once again proven by the fact that valerian produces an odor similar to the aroma of pheromones, so immature animals do not care about it.

Please note: there is also an opinion that the reaction of cats to valerian directly depends on their breed. As it turned out, Siamese cats react least actively to this plant.

Overdose symptoms

There are cases when a cat independently reached valerian by eating a whole package of tablets or drinking a bottle of alcohol tincture. As a result, an overdose of the drug occurs, which requires immediate intervention by a veterinarian.

In this case, the animal's life is at risk.

Signs of overdose:

• white foam comes from the mouth;
• convulsions in a cat;
• the cat fell on its side;
• eyes roll.

Therefore, the use of valerian is justified only as directed and under the supervision of a veterinarian, since each animal tolerates this medicine differently. So, protect the health of your furry pet from stupid experiments. After all, short-term fun can end very tragically - even death.

In almost every pharmacy you can buy the drug “Valerian”. It is usually available in two forms: alcohol tincture or tablets. This medicine always had an excellent effect on humans, calming them down, but cats had a completely different reaction. So is it possible to give cats valerian?

What danger does valerian pose to cats?

Due to the fact that valerian is used by veterinarians as a medicinal product, we can safely say that in certain cases and in small doses, valerian does not pose the slightest threat to cats.

But an overdose of this plant or drug can lead to very unpleasant consequences.

I will name some of them:

• Cramps.

  Cats that have consumed more than the prescribed amount of alcohol infusion may lose consciousness. Then convulsions will begin, which can lead to cardiac arrest of the animal. But this consequence is caused not only by the essence of the plant, but also by the alcohol that is used to prepare the medicine.

• Long narcotic sleep.

  A cat that is overexcited after smelling a plant can fall asleep soundly and for a long time. And if he does not wake up in time, then it is likely that he will fall into a coma, which in turn can lead to death.

• Stroke.

  Often, a sudden change in mood, which occurs under the influence of hormones, can cause a stroke in a cat, after which it is almost impossible to save the animal.

To understand the cause of such consequences, you need to see the mechanism of the effect of the smell of valerian on your pet.

I’ll tell you briefly about it: an animal that smells a sedative undergoes a sharp release of hormones, which leads to severe hormonal imbalance.

As a result, there is a violation of biochemical and neural processes in the cerebral cortex, and as a result, a violation of the animal’s coordination and perception of the environment.

And most importantly, valerian acts on the cat like a drug, which means it is highly addictive. One time is enough to turn your pet into a real “drug addict.”

Explanation why cats love valerian:

Is it harmful to treat an animal?

Knowing how valerian acts on cats, a responsible owner will not deliberately give this drug to his pet. First of all, alcohol solutions are dangerous for animals, the action of which is based not only on the influence of the specific substances included in the composition, but also on alcohol.

Domestic cats very quickly become dependent on alcohol, which negatively affects their emotional behavior and health.

The intoxicating effect of cat grass is associated not only with the presence of alcohol, but also with the effect of pheromone-like substances contained in the plant on the nervous system. Therefore, it is not only the alcohol form of valerian that is dangerous, but also the tablets. In addition to the medicinal raw materials themselves, the pills contain many excipients that often lead to allergies in cats.

Understanding why cats should not have valerian, competent owners will protect their pet from contact with drugs containing it. An overdose of valerian-based medications is extremely dangerous for pets. The toxic effect leads to increased salivation, foam from the mouth, convulsions, and clouding of consciousness. Due to overexcitation of the nervous system, animals may develop a stroke and respiratory arrest.

Veterinary specialists, knowing what valerian does to cats, strongly recommend not giving your pets the plant’s preparations for fun. This could end badly. There are often cases when, after being excited, a pet falls asleep and never wakes up due to the predominance of inhibition processes in the nervous system. In addition to the development of alcohol dependence, the animal may have an increased sensitivity to plant components, and, as a result, death.

How to protect your four-legged pet from the effects of valerian?

If you want to protect your cat and thereby prolong his life, follow simple tips that will save your animal from harm.

Dear readers, now you know why cats love valerian, and how their passion for this plant is explained. Take care of your pets, do not allow them to consume substances that are dangerous to them, and do not use valerian for fun. This will save the nervous system and the life of your four-legged friend.

What are the dangers of taking valerian?

The reaction of cats to valerian resembles the behavior of a drunkard or drug addict. Pets behave inappropriately:

• rolling on the floor;
• greedily lick off the remains of the drug;
• running around the apartment, jumping;
• stick out tongue;
• eyes bulge;
• They purr loudly and sometimes make wild screams.

But it happens that instead of relaxing, the animal goes into a rage: it hisses at its beloved owners, and it can bite. A usually quiet and calm pet can really scare the owner by tearing curtains or urinating in corners, attacking an invisible enemy or hiding from him.

The narcotic effect of the drug lasts about a quarter of an hour. The cat then comes to his senses, but has difficulty returning to his cat business. You feel lethargic, drowsiness, and muscle weakness.

What happens if you regularly give a cat valerian? Getting used to a potion infused with alcohol can turn an animal into a real alcoholic. Considering the inability of the cat’s body to resist alcohol, alcohol addiction can form already from the second dose.

Is valerian harmful for cats? Any veterinarian will tell you: friendship with mountain grass threatens the health of the animal. The list of side effects includes serious disorders of internal organs:

• stomach ulcer;
• diseased liver;
• renal failure.

The worst thing that can happen to a pet is drug-induced sleep or death.

If your cat sleeps soundly for several hours under valerian, contact your doctor immediately. If a doctor is unavailable, take your animal to the veterinary clinic immediately.

Can cats be given valerian tablets? Pharmacologists assure: compared to drops, the tablet form of the drug is much more dangerous for four-legged animals. Valerian extract in tablets is only 25%, the remaining 75% are synthetic auxiliary substances. This explains why some cats react with allergies to valerian.

Good things come in small packages

In small doses, valerian is used in veterinary medicine for medicinal purposes. Those who hope to get a positive answer to the question of whether it is possible to give a cat valerian during estrus will be disappointed. That's not what this is about at all.

This medicine has a beneficial effect in the following cases:

• in the treatment of the gastrointestinal tract;
• when getting rid of nervous ailments;
• with normalization of thyroid function.

A prescription from a doctor and medical supervision are the main conditions for any of these types of treatment. Otherwise, the consequences can be dire.