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Catnip Spray Refill - User Guide

ORIGINAL PRODUCT PAGE
Product ThumbnailCatnip Spray Refills 3x10ml(With optional spray bottle)
Dilute one sachet with clean water to make 80ml; shake well before each use, spray designated areas, a little at first, for fun or to assist training; scent dissipates within 3-4 hours, respray as required

Please see the Care notes below
Instructions for use
  |   Water, natural additives (sunflower lecithin, potassium sorbate, vegetable glycerin), catnip (nepeta cataria) plant extract (incl. essential oil)Ingredients


Tips


Not delighted with this purchase? Please get in touch with us!
More info on returns.
💡Cut the sachet over a jug, to catch spillage. If a spray bottle was included, this holds just the right amount; add to the bottle and top up water to just below the neck (leaving space for the nozzle). Otherwise make the solution up to 100ml. Shake well before use!
💡Rinse empty sachets and recycle along with the postal bag (if provided) at a major (food) store. Don't seal the sachets inside the bag, it hinders the recycling process.
💡Cats can become “drug tolerant” to catnip, typically within 15 to 30 minutes, a break of at least several hours may help heighten effects for next time.
💡Most cats love destroying paper or cardboard; try spraying something "noisy" (avoid over-wetting) like tissue paper or a brown paper bag.
Hoover on standby!


Care


SymbolNotes
Keep away from children: small parts/contents could choke or be swallowed
Dilute before use: follow instructions to ensure safe for use
Pet cat use only: always supervise, do not spray directly onto them, check with a vet first for pets with pregnancy, allergies or other medical conditions
Not for consumption: if this occurs in significant amounts, monitor closely for 72 hours and seek vet advice should discomfort occur
Take care with delicate surfaces: do not spray on or near fabrics or surfaces prone to damage/staining; if unsure, test first on discrete area
Keep away from high temperature & naked flame: heat may degrade product, packaging could aid fire or create fumes
Owners with medical conditions, use with caution: not recommended if pregnant, breastfeeding or having respiratory problems, check ingredients for potential allergies
If product enters eyes: flush well with cold water; seek medical advice if irritation persists
If accidentally swallowed: drink plenty of fluid; seek medical advice if irritation persists
To wash (if required): neat or diluted product washes easily with warm water and mild detergent

Recycling


PackagingRecycle?Where?Material
(Printed) cardboardeasyAt home(remove any plastic tape)PAPER
Spray bottleeasyAt homerinse first1
remove nozzle3
HDPE / PP4
Plastic sachetspossiblemajor (food) store2rinse first1LDPE5
Plastic postal bagpossiblemajor (food) store2LDPE5
Spray nozzlehardnormal waste3PP / STEEL
1 Rinsing the plastic aids the recycling centre process

2 A company called Terracycle is also expanding free UK recycling "drop off" points for these plastics. Local authorities are expected to begin home/doorstep collection for them mid 2027

3 Spray nozzle currently contains metal, dispose of as normal waste; components could be recycled at recycling centres (PolyPropylene plastic, recycling code 5), this would require disassembly and is not recommended

4 HDPE = High Density PolyEthylene recycling code 2 (bottle), PP = PolyPropylene recycling code 5 (label), leave label attached and recycle both together; some bottle bases are stamped with an incorrect symbol, apologies for any confusion, this will be corrected with the supplier; all councils in England & Wales should now be providing home collection for both plastics; customers in Scotland should check first via their council

5 LDPE = Low Density PolyEthylene (single layer), plastic recycling code 4

PS the spray bottle is a handy size, why not rinse and reuse for some other purpose?

Sources


IngredientOriginVegan?Organic?
CatnipCanada
Glue (packaging)UK
Plastic sachetsChina(via verified UK supplier)
Spray bottleChina(via verified UK supplier)
This item has been made, packed and shipped from within the UK.


FAQ


What are the benefits for cats?
The key benefit for most cats is enhanced fun and play, with many cats entering a heightened yet safe state of excitement. For others, the effects can be calming and almost sedating. Either effect can be a welcome distraction from stressful times such as a trip to the vet!

What responses should I expect from my cat?
Reactions vary and can depend on genetics; typically cats become extremely playful, may roll around, rub their jaw or face against objects, lick their toys excitedly. Some may also drool a little. However some will instead become very relaxed and tranquil, some display variations of both. These effects are harmless and tend to last up to 20 minutes. Please always supervise your cat during use!

Which active ingredients do cats respond to?
Cats may naturally respond to any of the main stimulants (or "iridoids") shown below, from around age 6 months, depending on their genetic makeup, with responses sometimes diminishing in older cats (12+ years).
Image displaying a table of natural cat stimulants, their sources and concentrations

Therefore cats naturally respond to some, all or none of the above plant sources. It can also come down to the variety and quality of a crop, some cats may even just dislike a particular scent. They also just need to be in the mood; give it a few tries else the guarantee above stands.

Why start with only small amounts?
Cat sense of smell is over ten times stronger than in humans, they even smell things that we can't. They may just walk away if the scent is overpowering. It may work better if you start small and respray as required; note that the spray may evaporate less quickly from more absorbent surfaces.

Cat trivia: famous botanist Philip Miller wrote in 1768 in The Gardeners Dictionary that cats were fond of catnip “when it is withered” but often ignored a large cluster of growing catnip.

Should I dilute with tap or distilled water?
Either is fine; always ensure tap water is fresh from the mains, do not use stale water (e.g. from external water butts).

Can the stimulants be dangerous or addictive?
There’s no known evidence of this however it's always possible that your cat might have an accident or even an allergy to a specific ingredient, so always supervise their play during use.

To avoid repeating here, please read the safety notices above as they detail some key points for the safe use of this product.

Is the product dangerous if consumed?
The product is not designed for consumption and this should always be avoided. Your cat may ingest trace amounts through play, by licking or chewing, this is not likely to be of any harm. Always intervene and discourage them from ingesting significant amounts; if this does happen then ensure they have access to plenty of fresh water and monitor them closely over the next 72 hours, seek veterinary advice if necessary. It's always possible that your cat might have an allergy to a specific ingredient, so always supervise their play during use.

To avoid repeating here, please read the safety notices above as they detail some key points for the safe use of this product.

What is the production process?
Chopped catnip buds and leaves are put through hydrodistillation using purified water, producing an essential oil and hydrosol (plant extract, largely water based). The active compounds that cats respond to are mainly contained within the oil however some of the hydrosol is also used as it adds pleasant aromas. The two do not mix naturally and additives (vegetable derived) are added to produce a solution that is easily diluted and mixed at home.

Why are (natural) “additives” added?
Catnip essential oil alone will not readily mix with water unless treated with extreme heat/pressure, which can diminish quality and produce unnatural byproducts. One purpose of the additives is to enable the oil and water to mix naturally. The additives also add natural antimicrobial and preservative qualities. This product is not for consumption or topical application and whilst preservatives might not be essential, they add reassurance.

It's still recommended to shake well before each use to ensure the solution is still well mixed. Worth noting also that these additives are commonly found within cat food; the ones used here are natural and vegetable derived (not produced synthetically).

Shouldn't the product be colourless?
The extraction process captures the essential oils (naturally yellow/brown in colour) plus other plant essences (similar in colour) from the catnip plant; although diluted, this extract is not colourless. It is possible to refine/remove the colour using other chemicals however we prefer to leave as is, this also helps maximise the scent. After full dilution, colour is almost unnoticeable however always avoid spraying delicate surfaces that might be prone to staining.

How sustainable is this product?
All cardboard is sourced from FSC or PEFC certified sustainable forests, note we do not own a licence to display their official logos. Our bottle supplier participates in the Ecologi tree planting scheme (as an offset to carbon emissions). Where possible we are also replacing plastic packaging tape with paper-based alternatives.

Why is it possible to recycle the sachets?
They are made from a single layer of food-grade soft plastic (LDPE, low density polyethylene) which is easily recycled (but not yet at home); many traditional pouches/sachets are composed of multiple layers often including a metallic layer, making them hard to recycle.

The small size of the sachets is not a problem in itself, as the recycling process involves first shredding the LDPE into small pieces, providing it is clean.

Why use a plastic bag inside postal boxes?
We usually use Royal Mail and it's their requirement for transporting containers of liquids; note that the bag can be recycled as above.

Why is the outer cardboard packaging "unsealed" ?
This means that it does not have a clear protective coating applied and is therefore not water-resistant although it should resist splashes. Most of our products are sold direct to customer therefore it seems largely unnecessary as the packaging is not pre-handled as it might be in retail stores. This also saves cost and slightly aids the recycling process. It should never be consumed in any way however the inks should not pose any significant danger; if consumed by accident, exercise the usual caution as in drinking plenty of water, seek medical advice should any irritation persist. Labelling on the sachets and spray bottle (if included) are water-resistant for obvious reasons.

Can you prove traceability on raw materials?
Not currently. As a small firm we're reliant on supplier declarations, we don't have the resources to track raw materials/ingredients door to door.



Research Sources:
Bol et al. BMC Veterinary Research (2017),
Uenoyama et al. Science Advances (2021)
Key info missing? An error?
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