Gifts For Your Cat

Indulge Your Cat!

Cats are members of the family, so when holidays and birthdays roll around, don’t forget to include your feline on the gift list. Fortunately, cats won’t ask for an X-BOX 360 or the latest camera phone — they’ll be happy with something far more affordable. Namely, catnip. A member of the mint family, catnip is an herb that acts as a gentle stimulant on many felines, causing them to act goofy and essentially “let their hair down” for a few minutes (some, however, have no reaction whatsoever). Many like clippings of the actual plant, or you can give them toy mice or birds filled with cat nip (along with some wackier items, like catnip pizza). Completely nontoxic, a daily dose of catnip won’t harm your cat, but you (and the cat) might enjoy it all the more if it is used as an occasional treat. Speaking of treats, holidays and birthdays are also a great time to indulge your pet with things like mouse-shaped, cheese-flavored crunchy cat snacks or other tasty delights (saving these items for special occasions or once-in-a-while will help combat obesity and other health problems). New toys and bedding are always appreciated, too — even if the cat doesn’t know you’re celebrating the fifth anniversary of the day it entered the world.