You may already know that Chrysanthemum flowers are poisonous to kitties. They contain naturally occurring compounds called pyrethrins from which the insecticide, permethrin, is derived. The chemical is safe and highly effective in most animals, but cats are especially sensitive and reactive to it.

Permethrin toxicity is one of the most commonly reported poisonings in cats worldwide. If you are wondering how so many cats mistakenly become exposed to a chemical that is meant for use in dogs only – unfortunately, it’s quite easy. Not all permethrin products are clearly labeled as dangerous to cats. Some people see a flea product for dogs and assume it is also harmless to their cat, forgetting that the two species are very different.

Most permethrin toxicity cases occur when cats come in contact with concentrated “spot-on” treatments for dogs. Many flea collars, sprays, and shampoos also contain the chemical in lower concentrations. Permethrin-containing products are widely available over-the-counter, so use caution and seek veterinary advice before using any kind of insecticide on or around your cat!

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Image Source: Fabienne D. via Flickr.com

1. Scratching

It can be frustrating when a cat scratches things that shouldn’t be scratched, whether it’s the side of a couch or the carpet. If a cat keeps scratching inappropriate objects it can get quite expensive, potentially even costing you a security deposit!

You may see it as a destructive war on your property, but it’s actually an important part of your cat’s overall health. She scratches to keep her claws fresh and sharp, to stretch and flex her body, and to mark an object with pheromones from the glands in her paws.

Redirect her inappropriate scratching by making sure you have enough scratching posts in your home, and that they are the right kind. There are so many different types of scratchers: stand-up ones, flat ones, curved ones, cardboard, sisal, and catnip-infused. It’s hard to tell what kind your cat will like until you try a few, but you may be able to get some hints based on how or what she’s scratching. If she’s standing on her hind legs to scratch the side of the couch, she’d probably prefer a stand-up post that can help her stretch her body. If she is scratching the carpet, she may enjoy a flat one that she can really dig her claws into.

The post 5 “Naughty” Cat Habits That Are Okay To Encourage appeared first on Shy Bengals.

Some kitties like catnip. Others really like catnip. You know the cats I’m talking about. They roll all over the leaves and stems, wiggling, drooling, and leaving a shredded mass of damp, wilted plant bits in their wake.

It turns out there is a scientific reason some cats do this. In addition to a pleasant intoxicated feeling, the Nepeta cataria plant also produces a natural pesticide to help cats ward off mosquitos. When torn or crumpled, the leaves release insect-repelling compounds into the air, coating the cat’s body.

How Does Catnip Repel Mosquitos?

Catnip is the most popular kitty intoxicant, but a few other plants, including valerian and a species of kiwifruit called silver vine, also cause cats to act cray-cray. The common factor is a class of figure-eight-shaped molecules called iridoids, including nepetalactol and nepetalactone. When produced by catnip and silver vine plants, these chemicals naturally ward off insects such as mosquitos.

Research shows that damaging the leaves of the catnip and silver vine plants “substantially increases iridoid emission.” This pest-repelling benefit could explain why cats tear, shred, and crumple fresh catnip (in addition to the whole getting high thing).

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