Catnip Intervention

Dear Sammy

I’m very worried about my brother. Up to a few weeks ago he was a perfectly well-adjusted cat. He ate whenever he could get his paws on food and got a respectable 18 hours of sleep a day. Then he changed. At first, I thought the little teabag our person brought home was just another toy to ignore. After all, it wasn’t anything exciting like a paper bag. I gave it the requisite sniff, and thing I was done with it. I admit, it did smell interesting, but nothing special. Chuckles, however, went nuts. At first, he tried to ignore it, but it seemed to pull him by an invisible chain. He could only go a couple steps before he was back sniffing it, and batting it around. Soon, he was embarrassing himself (and me) by rolling around with it, and pouncing on it. Now, he can’t leave it alone. He gets really nervous if it gets out of his sight. If I try to mess with it, forget it! He attacks like I was trying to eat out his food bowl. I’m getting worried about him. he’s having fun, and slimming down. If he doesn’t get help, he’ll just be a dog with long whiskers.

What can I do to help him break this addiction.

Caring in Colfax

Dear Caring,

Alas, I’ve seen this many times before. Your brother has gotten a hold of that insidious drug known as catnip. For some cats, it has no effect at all, as you found out for yourself. I, as well, am immune to its charms. I can stop anytime I want. Really. But back to your brother. For some cats, it has disastrous side effects, including happiness, playfulness, and energy. All traits no respectable cat would tolerate. Catnip was originally cultivated by a dog person, who worried that his dogs suffered in comparison to cats. So he created a drug that would make cats act more like dogs. Fortunately for feline-kind, the side effects do not include obedience, loyalty or tail wagging. Ugh! That said, there are two options for dealing with your brother. You can perform an intervention. Tell him how ridiculous he looks, getting him on film would be good, and shame him into to giving up the catnip. It won’t be easy if he’s as bad as you describe. Shredding his toy might be your best bet. The other option is to turn up your nose and pretend you don’t him until he either outgrows his addiction or loses his toy. Setting a good example of indifference and boredom may be your best tool in curing your brother.

Best of luck,

Sammy