By the time the third tiny foil packet of “premium organic catnip” hit the bottom of my shopping basket, I realised my cat had a more expensive habit than I did. Pixie — eight pounds of fluff, whiskers, and unapologetic attitude — sat at home like a tiny emperor, waiting for her next fix. The packets were gone in days, shredded beyond recognition, and I swear she glared at me when the stash ran out. One afternoon, after sweeping up yet another confetti field of dried leaves, I decided I’d had enough. There had to be a cheaper way to make my cat this happy.
The day I discovered the 65p miracle
It began in the herb aisle of a budget supermarket, the kind with narrow trolleys and suspiciously enthusiastic fluorescent lighting. I was tossing basil and thyme into my basket when a little green jar on the lower shelf caught my eye. “Dried valerian root,” it read. Price: £0.65. My brain threw out a vague memory: wasn’t valerian something to do with sleep? And then, another half-memory from a late-night rabbit hole on cat forums: some people swore their cats went wild for it, even more than catnip.
I picked it up, shook the jar gently, listened to the faint whisper of dried roots inside. The jar felt cheap, faintly grainy to the touch, its label slightly peeling at the corners — nothing about it screamed “luxury feline product.” It was clearly meant for humans making tea, not for pampered pets with their own Instagram accounts. Still, I imagined Pixie zooming around the living room, hopped up on bargain-bin herbs, and slipped it into my basket.
Back home, I twisted the lid open, and a strange, earthy smell drifted out — not unpleasant, but definitely not the sweet, minty hit of catnip. It was darker, deeper, a bit like damp soil after rain mixed with old tea leaves. I wrinkled my nose. Pixie, however, came trotting in with saucer-wide eyes, tail straight up like an antenna. She sniffed. She froze. And then, to my complete astonishment, she threw herself on the floor and rolled like a tiny, furry crocodile.
Wait, what is this stuff? (And why do cats love it?)
If catnip is the pop star of the feline world, valerian is the mysterious indie musician cats pretend they discovered first. The herb in that little jar was Valeriana officinalis, a common kitchen and medicinal herb used for centuries as a mild sedative in humans. We make it into teas and tinctures for calmness and better sleep. For many cats, though, valerian root is less “sleepy bedtime tea” and more “wild rave in the lounge at 3 p.m.”
The secret lies in the chemistry. Catnip famously contains nepetalactone, which triggers euphoria in susceptible cats. Valerian root doesn’t rely on that compound at all. Instead, it contains actinidine and other volatile compounds that interact with feline olfactory receptors in a similar way. To us, it smells a bit like an abandoned allotment shed. To cats, it’s the aromatic equivalent of fireworks.
Not every cat reacts the same way, but if your cat is indifferent to catnip, they might be part of the large group who respond far more dramatically to valerian. For Pixie, the shift was instant. With catnip, she was politely interested. With valerian, she became a tiny chaos comet streaking through the flat. Rolling. Kicking. Bunny-hopping invisible enemies. Then — as the high wore off — an almost meditative calm, curled in a sunspot, paws twitching in sleep.
Why the 65p jar beats the £5 “catnip experience”
The next time I stood in the pet aisle, I couldn’t help comparing those glossy, boutique-style bags of catnip to the plain little kitchen jar sitting in my cupboard at home. On one shelf: neon fonts, pictures of ecstatic cartoon cats, promises of “triple strength” and “ultimate stimulation.” On another shelf, in the grocery section: unassuming dried valerian root, quieter than the cheapest packet of crisps, and a price tag that barely scraped £1.
Side by side, the difference in cost is startling. A small bag of branded catnip can easily run from £3 to £6 and doesn’t always last long if your cat is… enthusiastic. Meanwhile, a jar of dried valerian root from the spices and teas section often costs under £1, and because the scent is strong, you only need a pinch at a time. There’s a certain quiet satisfaction in walking past the “premium feline botanicals” and knowing that your cat’s favourite treat now lives in the same cupboard as your pasta and pepper grinder.
The other secret victory is control. With valerian, you can decide exactly how much to give, how often, and in what form — tucked into a toy, scattered in a cardboard box, or steeped to scent fabric. No mysterious blends, no added colourings, no mystery “feline attractant compounds.” Just a simple, single-ingredient herb that you can see, smell, and measure yourself.
| Option | Typical Cost (UK) | How Long It Lasts | Cat Reaction Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branded catnip toys | £4–£10 per toy | Weeks to months (scent fades) | Great for catnip-responders; useless for others |
| Loose dried catnip | £3–£6 per small bag | Depends on portion size; scent weakens over time | Moderate to strong, but only for sensitive cats |
| Dried valerian root (kitchen herb) | £0.60–£1 per jar | Very long-lasting; only a pinch needed | Often powerful, especially for catnip-indifferent cats |
How to introduce valerian to your cat without turning your home into a swamp
There’s something you should know before you rush out to clear the supermarket shelf: valerian smells… intense. While the scent is far less dramatic in a sealed jar, once it’s out, it can remind you of old socks, wet wood, and a slightly haunted cupboard. Most humans don’t love it. Cats, of course, think it’s gorgeous. So the trick is to serve up the delight without sentencing yourself to living in what smells like a forgotten laundry basket.
Start simple: the first pinch test
Clear a bit of floor, ideally somewhere easy to wipe or sweep. Scatter a literal pinch of dried valerian root on the ground, then call your cat like you’re presenting a gourmet meal. Pixie’s reaction the first time was an instant head-dive, her whiskers practically combing through the herb as she snuffled, rolled, and kicked with her back paws like she was battling a tiny imaginary foe.
Watch carefully. Some cats become hyperactive, others simply melt into blissful drooling loaf-mode. A few might not react at all — valerian, like catnip, doesn’t work on every cat. But if your cat’s eyes widen, if they start to rub, roll, or purr with focused intensity, you’ve probably found their new favourite pastime.
Contain the chaos: DIY toys and scent stations
Once you know your cat likes valerian, you can start getting creative. Instead of tossing pinches directly onto the floor every time, try one of these easy approaches:
- Sock toys: Take a clean, old cotton sock, drop a teaspoon of dried valerian root inside, tie a knot, and you’ve made a new cat toy in under thirty seconds. It looks ridiculous. Your cat will not care.
- Refreshed favourites: If old catnip toys have lost their magic, cut a small slit, remove the sad, scentless filling, and replace it with dried valerian. Sew or tape the opening. You’ve just resurrected a “dead” toy.
- Valerian box: Sprinkle a pinch into a cardboard box — a shoebox, a parcel lid, anything with edges. The walls hold the herb in one place, and your cat gets a personal rave pit.
- Scent cushions: Use tiny cloth bags, drawstring pouches, or folded scraps of old T-shirts. A teaspoon of valerian inside, and you can tuck them into beds, carriers, or hide them for scent-based games.
After playtime, sweep or hoover up the loose herb, especially if you’re not a fan of walking through crunchy fragments in your socks. The scent tends to linger for a little while, but airing the room or opening a window will soften the intensity.
Safe indulgence: how much valerian is too much?
There’s a fine line between “my cat is joyfully rolling in herbs” and “my cat looks like they’ve had a heavy night out.” Valerian is generally considered safe for cats when used as an occasional treat, but like any stimulant, it benefits from moderation and a little common sense.
Guidelines for happy, healthy valerian sessions
- Frequency: A valerian session once or twice a week is usually plenty. Using it daily can make the effect less exciting over time, or in a few sensitive cats, may cause overstimulation.
- Portion size: Think in pinches, not handfuls. Around half a teaspoon to a teaspoon per play session is often more than enough, especially when contained inside a sock or toy.
- Supervision: Always keep an eye on your cat the first few times. If they seem overwhelmed, agitated, or anxious instead of happy and playful, scale back or stop.
- No direct ingestion in large amounts: Cats will inevitably lick or nibble a bit of the herb off their fur. That’s fine. But avoid encouraging them to eat big mouthfuls of it. It’s meant as a scent enrichment more than a snack.
- Check the label: When you buy kitchen valerian, make sure it’s just “valerian root,” with no added flavourings, sweeteners, or other herbs blended in. Simpler is safer.
If your cat has any existing health issues or is on medication, a quick check-in with a vet never hurts. Many vets are familiar with valerian as both a human and feline herb and can reassure you about its safe use in your particular situation.
More than a party drug: valerian as slow magic
At first glance, valerian looks like pure chaos fuel: roll, zoom, wrestle, collapse. But once you start using it with intention, you realise it can actually become part of a quieter, calmer routine. The irony of a herb famous for helping humans relax is that, for some cats, a brief intense reaction leads to a long, peaceful nap.
Turning valerian into a calming ritual
Pixie, for instance, gets her valerian sessions on the days I work from home. Around mid-afternoon, when she starts pacing like a tiny dissatisfied supervisor, I pull out the sock toy. Ten minutes later, she’s sprawled on the rug, pupils dilated, purring with the deep, buzzing hum of a cat very much alive to the moment. Twenty minutes after that, she’s asleep on the back of the sofa, limp with contentment, one paw hanging over the edge as if she’s dropped out of consciousness mid-sentence.
Used this way, valerian becomes more than entertainment. It’s enrichment, mental stimulation, and, yes, a gateway to rest. For anxious cats, or cats wary of carriers and travel, lightly scenting a blanket or cushion with valerian (well before the event, so they associate it with comfort rather than stress) can create a tiny island of familiarity in scary situations.
You can turn it into a whole ritual. A pinch of valerian in the box, a few minutes of wild play, then a gentle grooming session with a soft brush, followed by a treat or a quiet cuddle. Over time, your cat begins to recognise the pattern: excitement, contact, rest. There’s something profoundly satisfying about watching a creature so entirely in their body, moving from frenzy to serenity all within the safety of your living room.
Relearning how to share space with a small predator
A tiny jar of dried root may not look like much, but it can change how you see the animal who shares your home. We often treat cats like small, silent ornaments: soft, polite, low-maintenance. But there is a hunter under that fur, a sensory creature who experiences the world largely through scent. When you sprinkle valerian onto the floor or tuck it into fabrics, you’re not just giving them a toy — you’re tapping into their ancient wiring.
Watch closely during a valerian session: the way the whiskers splay forward, the nose trembles, the paws knead. There’s a whole quiet language in those movements, a conversation between plant and animal that entirely bypasses us. We become the stagehand behind the curtain, placing props out and then stepping back, letting the performance unfold.
Best of all, it doesn’t have to be expensive, branded, or marketed to you in shiny packaging. The herb that sends your cat into ecstatic spirals might be sitting on a low supermarket shelf, hiding between the cumin and the chamomile, for less than the price of a bus ticket. No mascots, no glitter, no lifestyle promises. Just roots, dried and waiting.
So the next time you catch yourself reaching for another glossy bag of “artisan catnip blend,” consider taking a detour through the kitchen herbs instead. You might come home with a 65p jar, a faintly muddy smell, and a very good story. And somewhere in your house, a small, whiskered critic will be waiting to give that humble herb a five-star review — by rolling in it until her fur is full of roots, and falling asleep in a sunbeam with the kind of peace money can’t quite buy.
FAQ
Is valerian safe for all cats?
For most healthy adult cats, dried valerian root used in small amounts as a scent enrichment is considered safe. However, if your cat has medical conditions, is pregnant, or is on medication, it’s sensible to ask your vet before introducing any new herb.
Can kittens have valerian?
Many very young kittens don’t react strongly to catnip or valerian. It’s generally best to wait until a kitten is at least six months old before offering herbs like this, and even then, start with very tiny amounts and observe carefully.
Will valerian make my cat sleepy like it does humans?
Not usually in the same way. Most cats first become more playful or excited, then relax and nap afterwards. The “calm” tends to come after the energetic phase, rather than as a direct sedative effect like it is for humans drinking valerian tea.
How often can I give my cat valerian?
Once or twice a week is a reasonable starting point. Using it too frequently can make the response less intense over time, and in a few cats may lead to overstimulation. Treat it as a special enrichment, not a daily requirement.
My cat doesn’t react to catnip. Will valerian definitely work?
Not definitely, but it’s worth trying. Many catnip-indifferent cats respond strongly to valerian because it contains different active compounds. If your cat shows no interest after a few attempts, they may simply not be sensitive to it.
Does valerian smell bad?
To most humans, yes — it has a strong, earthy, slightly musty scent. Cats, however, often find it irresistible. Using small amounts, containing it in toys, and airing rooms afterwards can keep the smell from taking over your home.
Can I mix valerian with catnip?
Yes. Some cats love a blend of both, and there are even commercial toys that combine them. If you’re mixing at home, use small amounts of each at first and watch your cat’s behaviour to ensure they’re enjoying the experience without becoming overstimulated.
Hello, I’m Mathew, and I write articles about useful Home Tricks: simple solutions, saving time and useful for every day.
