Hi Jen
Tan's at her sisters at the mo and i read her your post, she asked me to pop up her reserch into Valerian and to pop this also on the valerian items in the shop.
She said n the phone that the reason Valerian is better not to give Cats with Liver probs is that it can increase the responce of liver function tests.
VALERIAN (VALERIANA OFFICINALIS) -What is Valerian and is it Safe for my Cat? What is Valerian?Valerian (VALERIANA OFFICINALIS), a common plant used in human herbal medications, contains a chemical akin to catnip that attracts cats.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), a member of the Valerianaceae family, is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia and naturalized in North America. Valerian is also known as garden heliotrope, other names include setwall (English), Valerianae radix (Latin), Baldrianwurzel (German), and phu (Greek). The root of the Valerian plant has been used for centuries to treat everything from anxiety to insomnia in humans. Valerian is one of the best-known herbs for promoting a good night's sleep and easing nervous tension. Its sedative effects were first recognized in the seventeenth century, and since then it has enjoyed a long history of safe and effective use. Its Latin name, Valeriana, means "well-being". In popular lore, it is known as cat's valerian or moonroot. The intensity of a cat's reaction to valerian was once used to determine the quality of valerian products in 18th century apothecaries.
Valerian & CatsWhile the human response is one of sedation and relaxation, Cats are driven into a euphoric frenzy by the smell of valerian root and affects the domestic cat in a similar way as that of catnip. The cat attractant chemical in Valerian is Actinidine, a pyridine derivative present in the essential oil of valerian, which causes similar effects to nepetalactone (the active compound in catnip). Catnip-responders are often also valerian-responders. Older information may refer to the active ingredient in the root as Valerinone.
Cats that don't respond catnip may respond to valerian. Cats may enjoy playing with toys that contain Valerian root and infused with valerian scent. The plant does not attract all cats, but many cats respond to it like Catnip. The reaction includes licking or biting the valerian impregnated toy, wrestling with it in their front paws, rubbing the face on it, drooling and becoming highly excitable.
Valerian has a pungent odor, often described as a "locker room smell", which, though usually disagreeable to humans, is very attractive to cats. To humans, valerian has an unusual smell akin to sweaty socks, hence the Greek name Phu (i.e "pooh!")!
There are frequent references to animals and their reaction to valerian.
It is said [Weiss, R.F.: 1986] that cats are known to be attracted by valerian, which can cause a state of ecstasy in them. This is reported by a number of authors [Phelps-Brown, O.: 1993; Spoerke, D.G.: 1990; Blackmore, S.: 1982] to name but a few. It is also said [Graves, G.: 1990] that the male is more affected than the female and that cats [Hutchens, A.R.: 1973] are so fond of the herb that they will dig up the roots and eat them. The root also excites rats and that the famous Pied Piper of Hamlyn may not have been such a great flute player, but more of a success because of the valerian root that he carried in his pockets! Gypsies use the herb to quieten unfriendly dogs, and that horses are also attracted by the smell of valerian and are given the root as a calming influence. Finally, it is said [Bremness, L.: 1988] that the whole plant stimulates growth of nearby vegetables by stimulating phosphorus and earthworm activity, since the roots also attract the worms.
Is it Safe for my cat? Cats have been naturally attracted to the Valerian Root for centuries in the wild. In clinical studies, few adverse events attributable to valerian have been reported. Cats given 10 mg/kg of a valerian extract had a significant decrease in restless, fearful and aggressive behaviours.
Valerian as a scent stimulation is recommended by the Feline Advisory Bureau in their “Cat friendly home” information sheet: -
http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/cat_friendly_home/info.html
“Scent stimulation - valerian
This herb has a calming effect on cats and some respond extremely well to valerian tea bags. These can be offered dry to cats (remove any string or staples) and they will rub and roll on them, giving a similar response to catnip. Valerian tea bags can be placed into cardboard boxes or cardboard foraging tubes to encourage exploration with a good reward at the end.” Cautions:-
Valerian as an essential oil (ie unnatural liquid form produced for human use), should not be given directly to cats as in this form it is too strong. The dried root (natural form) or diluted spray can be incorporated / infused into toys.
Cats suffering from kidney or liver disease should not be given valerian directly. Some components of valerian are metabolized in the liver and may increase results of liver function tests and may also interact with liver prescription medicines.
Do not allow your cat to swallow Valerian directly if she is pregnant, nursing or before surgical sedation. Since with Valerian the human response is one of relaxation, combining it with surgical anesthesia may cause an unwanted interaction.
