Dog catnip? Is there such a thing like catnip for dogs? Catnip is an herb that is used in the garden as a natural repellent for pests, but it is also used in the homes of people who have pets. Cats, in particular, respond very well to catnip as a stimulant. Most cats become incredibly energetic after coming into contact with catnip, which can keep them entertained for hours. If you are a dog owner, however, you may be wondering if there is such a thing as catnip for dogs that will provide them with the same level of energy and entertainment. An herb called anise acts as a stimulant for dogs as catnip does for cats. How can You Offer Your Dog Anise? You can give your dog anise in a variety of ways. You can sew some anise seeds into its toys, or you can make your own dog toy that has anise seeds in it. Another method is to buy anise essential oil and place a few drops (5drops) on your dogs toys. The objective is to get your dog to smell the anise, and the two most potent methods are an essential oil, which concentrates the smell, and the seedpods. Other ways of giving your dog anise, which pet owners find not as effective, but is nonetheless tasty, is to grind up the anise seeds and bake them into dog treats. However, be careful not to add too much anise, as that can give your dog some gastrointestinal problems. In Addition to Stimulation, Does Anise Have Any Medicinal Uses? Anise has other great uses for dogs (and cats) in addition to providing a stimulating scent. You can add a drop of anise essential oil between your dogs shoulder blades, or you can put a pouch of star anise on your dogs bed; both of these options will repel fleas. Another great use of anise is to kill parasites; you can grind anise and put it in your dogs water and it will kill certain intestinal parasites like tapeworm. Can You Give Your Dog Anise Daily? Even though your dog will love the smell of anise, avoid giving it daily. When it comes to toys, you do not want your dog to get bored, so you will want to put away the anise-scented toys occasionally. When giving anise as a treat, you certainly should not allow your dog to eat it daily because that can damage its digestive system. Whether it is anise or any other herb, a good rule to follow with animals is moderation.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 14:13:20 +0000
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