Phytotherapy (natural therapy using medicinal plants) is becoming increasingly popular in the veterinary field, in part because owners prefer to opt for more natural treatments to restore their pets' he alth. However, a big mistake is made when thinking that medicinal plants are harmless because they are natural and it is also common, but dangerous, to think that the effect of a certain plant is the same in humans as in animals.
If you live with a feline and you are in favor of using natural therapies, surely you have asked yourself: " Can I give valerian to my cat? ". That's the question we answer in the next article on our site, so read on!
The effects of valerian on cats
There are numerous toxic plants for cats but valerian is not one of them, in fact, this plant was included in the United States Pharmacopeia in 1820 and since then no toxic effect has been observed produced in humans or animals. This does not imply that valerian cannot interact with other drugs, since it is true that potentiates the effect of sedative drugs, therefore, the first The recommendation is that you always consult with the veterinarian if your cat follows pharmacological treatment but you consider that it would be appropriate to give him valerian.
Although some veterinary sources consider that valerian can be useful to calm nervous cats, the truth is that the main effects of this plant on our feline friends are quite different. Valerian contains volatile oils that stimulate the cat's nervous system in a similar way to the hormones a cat produces when it is in heat. This effect causes a feeling of euphoria, pleasure and well-being
Although there is still controversy today about whether or not valerian is sedative for cats, what can be said is that thanks to its effects on the central nervous system it is a good plant to treat stress in cats.
How to give valerian to a cat?
Due to the stimulating effect that valerian causes in cats, if your cat is nervous, it is best to purchase a product suitable for use in felines that, in addition to valerian, contains other types of sedative plants. And if what you want is precisely to stimulate your cat, you can give it valerian as a single plant, but it will still be advisable purchase a product for veterinary use
Although the plant is the same regardless of its commercial presentation, the truth is that veterinary products have pharmaceutical forms that are much more comfortable to administer to an animal. In addition, they must also be accompanied by the indication of a recommended daily dose, which should not be exceeded. Likewise, to care for your cat in the most responsible way possible, we recommend that you consult your veterinarian before administering any medicinal plant.
Valeriana for short treatments
After reading the previous sections, you have been able to verify that the answer to the question "can I give valerian to my cat?" is if. However, valerian should not be given to the cat for very long periods of time, since it can be addictive and it will be enough for you to prepare an infusion so that your cat keep an eye on you.
The ideal is to carry out treatments as short as possible, visiting the vet again whenever the symptoms do not subside.
