leaves | Adventures in Cheeseland

Greetings fellow felines. Snoops and Kommando here. Whether you realized it or not, fall has fallen. Last Thursday was the autumnal equinox, which means that fall has officially arrived in the northern hemisphere. We like this time of year because the days are getting shorter and that means more time for cuddling. We also get to break out our favorite blankets.

We’ve been looking around the Internet to see what other kitties enjoy doing this time of year, and to be honest, we were a little surprised. It seems that a lot of cats enjoy taking in the sights this time of year. We’ve gathered a few of the most popular ideas.

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Visit a Pumpkin Patch

Some patches allow pets, so if you’re the adventurous type, maybe you want to stroll among the pumpkins. They come is all sizes and we’re sure your human could use the help when it comes to picking out the perfect one for your porch. And it will make a great social media post. Just make sure you’re in a stroller or on a harness/leash. You don’t want to be left there.

4 years of kittens on Twitter: "https://t.co/k9j32wIf1o" / Twitter

Play in the Leaves

Once they come down off the trees, leaves are a lot of fun to play in. You can run and jump and hide. Loose leaves blowing in the wind are fun to chase. It’s also a lot of fun to supervise the humans putting them into big piles for us to jump in. If you don’t want to play with them outside, maybe you can talk your human into bringing a few into the house. If they put a couple of small logs in a box with the leaves, you will have a pawsome sensory pit. Your human can also decorate your catio with fall foliage.

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Go Hiking

If you like walking outside, now is the perfect time. It’s not too hot to enjoy wandering around. There should be lots of leaves and other stuff on the ground to explore. If you don’t want to walk; try talking your human into carrying you in a backpack. Or a stroller would be cool too. Make sure you don’t snack on anything you can’t identify.

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Go for a Drive

We’re told that some cats love cars. We are not those cats. But if you are, this is a great time to talk your human into a drive around the neighborhood to look at the fall colors and how things are changing. Maybe they’ll even stop at a cat-friendly shop and get you a spiced pumpkin cream drink.

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Make Pumpkin Treats

Many cats love pumpkin puree. It’s full of fiber and is good for our digestive systems. Pumpkin has lots of vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants. You can either get it canned or out of one of those pumpkins you found at the pumpkin patch. Some kitties like it mixed with a little chicken or tuna. You can even have your human grind up the seeds and mix them in.

Came down stairs and my cat was just chilling, watching tv like this : r/funny

Watch a Scary Movie

It’s perfect weather for curling up under a blanket and watching a movie with your favorite human. The best part is that they won’t move for a couple of hours. Maybe you can talk them into getting you some freeze-dried cat treats as a special movie munchie.

Oktoberfest Newquay - Posts | Facebook

Visit a Fall Festival

This doesn’t really sound like all that much fun to us, but we’re putting it out there for you ultra social types. There are lots of outdoor festivals in the fall, but they usually come with a lot of people and noise. If your human thinks you might enjoy it, insist on a stroller or backpack. A related idea is Oktoberfest which also has activities in a brewery, some of which are pet-friendly. You can enjoy a snack on the patio.

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Go Apple Picking

Some orchards allow pets on the premises. You might want to join your human when they go to pick apples. We recommend a backpack or stroller – those places are huge! Definitely see if you can score a bite or two of apple while you’re there.

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Tour a Corn Maze

We really don’t understand the appeal of a corn maze. Human wander around down rows of corn plants, trying not to get lost. But it sounds like it would be a fun way to get some fresh air. You definitely want a backpack or stroller. Who knows how long your human might be wandering around.

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Do a Photo Shoot

Does your human need more pictures of beautiful you? This is the perfect opportunity. If you like to dress up, you can do a Halloween shoot. Otherwise, just some pictures among the fall foliage would be beautiful.

These are only a few of the things we found to do this time of year. Of course, you can always follow our lead: fall is the time when we both move back onto Mom’s bed for lots of cool weather snuggling.

Pictures courtesy of Google Images.

How Does Catnip Work Its Magic on Cats? - Scientific American

Greetings from Snoops and Kommando Kitty. We have returned with a special edition of Cat Forum. Last week, we were bemoaning the lack of things to do during the winter. This week we have a project for your humans to help you with. What could be more exciting that having your own catnip plant/patch?

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Catnip’s official name is Nepeta cataria. It’s related to mint and lemon balm, and is very easy to grow an maintain. Unfortunately, it can be toxic to cats in large quantities. So if you (or a loved one) tend to overindulge, you will want to grow it in a protected area. We recommend that you have your human do the work while you supervise.

How to grow catnip from seed to harvest

Growing Catnip Indoors

It must receive as much direct sunlight as possible. It prefers up to five hours a day. (Plant lights are a possibility if you live someplace that doesn’t get that much direct sun.)
It likes the temperature to be between 55-85 degrees Fahrenheit. And like us, it doesn’t like really hot, humid conditions.
Catnip prefers to be in soil with average-medium moisture. Don’t keep the soil wet – that can lead to root rot. Don’t panic if it wilts, it will recover.
Feed it with weak organic liquid fertilizer every couple of weeks.
Cut off budding stems before they bloom. For the average gardener, keep the plant trimmed to a height of 6 inches. You’re looking for a bushy, leafy plant. (It can grow up to 2 feet tall if your human is talented.)
The pot needs to be at least 8 inches wide and 8 inches deep with drainage holes. Use potting soil for best results.

Let's plant catnip in the garden they said. It prevents mosquitos they said. what could go wrong they said. : r/funny

Growing the Most Potent Catnip

If you want really high-grade catnip, you need to grow it outside. You need sandy soil. Your human may also want to consider burying pots of it rather than just spreading the seeds, because it is what humans call “invasive.” (We’re really not sure what’s wrong with having a yard full of catnip, but apparently it bothers some humans.)

Here’s the recipe for top-notch catnip straight from the University of Maryland:

Plant the seeds 1/8″ deep in 10-inch pots filled with a mixture of coarse river sand, moist sphagnum peat moss, and sterilized loam (include 4 tablespoons of dolomitic lime for every gallon of the mixture.) Germinate for 10-20 days at 61-74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water until water runs out of the pots. Spray the soil 3-4 times per day to keep it moist. (Outside it will require the equivalent of 1 inch of rain per week.)
Dig holes 12-18 inches apart for each pot after the frost has passed.
Thin the seedlings so only the healthiest ones remain.
Place tomato cages around the seedlings to prevent animals from digging them out.
Watch for webbing on the bottom of leaves (a sign of spider mites). Remove spider mites with spray from a water hose.
Pinch back the shoot tips to create thick plants. Cut the main stem to 1 inch above ground after each bloom. Pinch off spent flower heads to inhibit the spread of seeds.
Pull off the leaves from the cut stems or pinch them from the growing plant. Dry in a paper bag for 1-2 weeks before using.

Catnip Buds Field Close Up | Catnip, Field, Fields

What is the most potent part of the plant?

The active ingredient in catnip (Nepetalactone) is found in the essential oil. The oil is found mainly in the pistil (the bud). So make sure you have plenty of buds mixed in with your stems and leaves.

Catnip and other feline favorites in the garden

How do we help keep the plants insect- and disease-free?

Remove dead or dried leaves regularly.

Catnip and Its Effect on Cats, Dogs and Humans - Promega Connections

How do we grow bushy catnip plants?

After flowering, cut the plants back to no higher than 3-4 inches above the ground (you can go as low as 1 inch). It will grow back in a couple of weeks.

Is catnip safe for cats?

How long does it take to grow catnip?

Seeds generally sprout within 5-10 days, but may take up to 20 days if you’re planting outside and it’s still chilly. The plants should be thinned to 18 inches apart when they are 2-5 inches high. You can start harvesting after 12-15 weeks.

Can Cats Eat Catnip? Here's What You Should Know About the Herb

Fun Fact – According to one report, catnip is more effective than DEET in repelling mosquitoes. It was shown to be 10x more effective than standard mosquito repellents according to a paper at the 2001 American Chemical Society annual meeting.