Valerian root scent pouch for cats: how to play
Tie dried valerian root inside a clean sock and let your cat sniff, rub and roll on it. About half of domestic cats respond to valerian, so it is worth trying alongside catnip.
- Time
- 10 min
- Energy
- Low
- Space
- Small room
You'll need
- dried cut valerian root (about 15 g)
- clean sock
Set up
Fill a clean sock about half full with dried valerian root and tie a knot in the top to close it off. Put the sock on the floor within one metre of your cat's head, in their line of sight.
How to play
Fill the sock about half full with dried valerian root and tie a knot to close it. Place it on the floor within a metre of your cat's head, in their line of sight.
Let your cat choose. Never push the sock at your cat, and do not move it again if they walk away. If your cat seems not to notice it, move the sock once into their sight.
Let your cat sniff and lick the sock, rub their chin or cheek on it, roll on their back, or rake it with their hind feet. About half of domestic cats respond to valerian.
Take the sock away after five minutes of no interest, or once your cat has stopped actively engaging with it for a minute.
Store the sock tightly sealed in its bag, at room temperature and in the dark, so the active compounds do not degrade.
House rules
- Never force the sock on your cat, and do not move it when your cat walks away.
- Keep the dried root inside the sock, so your cat has less chance to swallow the plant material.
- Some cats do not respond at all: six of the 100 cats in the study responded to none of the plant materials.
- Make it easier
- Offer the sock while your cat is settled in their own space, place it in their line of sight, and let them approach in their own time.
- Make it harder
- There is nothing to make harder. The sock is offered as it is, and cats either respond to valerian or they do not.
Signs it's having fun
Sniffing and licking the sock, shaking the head, rubbing chin or cheek against it, rolling on the back, raking with the hind legs, and drooling.
Stop if you see
Five minutes pass with no interest, or your cat stops actively engaging with the sock for a minute. Take the sock away then and store it sealed in its bag.
Safety
Safety- The four plants in this study are generally regarded as safe and nontoxic for cats and humans.
- Using a sock limits how much plant material your cat can take in, but keep the knot closed and store the sock out of reach when it is not in use.
- Store the sock tightly sealed in its original bag, in the dark, so the active compounds last.
Sources
- Beyond Catnip: Can Scent Enrich Your Cat's World? (Fear Free)
- Responsiveness of cats (Felidae) to silver vine, Tatarian honeysuckle, valerian and catnip (BMC Veterinary Research)
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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