Back in the old days of the cats who came before us, there was only one high for cats. If catnip didn't do it for you, you were out of luck. They didn't even have good organic nip; it was all generic and hardly even smelled so I was told. There were refillable balls and sacks but not much else. Cats went wild over it anyway. We kitties now have been spoiled. We still have nip, but we also have silvervine, honeysuckle and valerian.
Kitties, how many of you love Valerian? I have a surprise from you today. As that song the Age of Valerian from the movie Cat Hair goes "when Fred Fox is in the seventh house and Welli Fish aligns with Mars, this is the dawning of the age of Valerian."
FTC disclaimer: I received the cat toys in this post to review. Stunning Keisha received no additional compensation. I cannot be bought and only share products that I believe in. Bavarian Cat Toys is not responsible for the contents of this post.
Several months ago—back in October to be exact—I was approached by Bavarian Cat Toys™ on Twitter and axed if I wanted to try some of their toys—no strings attached; just post a pic on Twitter. I said sure. I love valerian. It's been my high of choice for the past two years. Silvervine is so passé and you know valerian is the new catnip.
Is this mine?? It is now. |
Valerian root contains the chemical valerinone which is similar to nepetalactone in catnip. While catnip has to be really good to grab my attention, the pungent smell of valerian gets it right away. TW uses valerian as a sleep aid for some strange reason. Can you figure humans out?
Allow me to give you the 411 on our sponsor. Their high quality toys, sold throughout Europe, are handmade in Germany by the Aumeuller-Korbwaren family. The toys feature Bavarian-grown ingredients such as valerian, lavender, and anise. Natural spelt filling gives the toys shape and assures long-lasting quality and fun.
I was sent a package which includes two of their large pillows filled with valerian root and catnip, a two pack of Welli Sticks with valerian, spelt, lavender and anise, Owl Ulla and Fred Fox. I'm sure it was just a coincidence that Fred Fox was named after my German Pop.
The moment TW opened the package I was all over it. I didn't know which toy to smell first. TW and Pop were wrinkling up their noses cos they don't appreciate the smelly goodness that valerian is. She shot this short video and thinks the music she added is quite amusing. Too bad this blog doesn't have smell-o-vision so all you guys could enjoy it too.
You may notice in the photos and video that the toys are inside their bags as not to overwhelm me with all this goodness at once. TW wants to preserve their freshness so she'll give me one at a time to play with and enjoy. You can bet I'll enjoy them too!
Now I'm gonna give two of you the chance to win your own set of Bavarian Cat Toys. They've graciously offered to send prizes of two pillows and an assortment of their toys! To enter just fill out the Rafflecopter. No purchase necessary. Giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18+ years old. Void where prohibited. Giveaway will run from April 13 and will end April 21 at 11:59pm ET. Two winners will be randomly selected by Rafflecopter and notified via email and have 48 hours to claim their prize; failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the prize. Capiche? Best of luck to everyone.
Thank you to the good folks at Bavarian Cat Toys for sponsoring this post and giveaway. Visit them on Facebook and Twitter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Those toys look great!
ReplyDeleteI love ANY feline intoxicant! And these toys look awesome.
ReplyDeleteGeez, we haven't tried Valerian before and would LOVE to give it a whirl.
ReplyDeleteXOXO, Rosie
Those toys sounds wonderful and they sure look very cute :-) My boys would enjoy those valerian toys, too!
ReplyDeleteI drink Sleepytime Tea with valerian when I get insomnia but I never knew cats liked it! If I win the prize pack it will be for Chester, the mischievous cat who allows my daughter to live with him nearby. He enjoys catnip but I'd love to see what valerian inspires him to do.
ReplyDeleteYou're a funny kitty! :) Thanks for sharing about Valerian; I'm betting my kitty Snickers would love to give it a go!
ReplyDeleteThose are such great quality toys. We don't do Vaerian too much cuz, well you know, the "stink" makes Mom L wanna hork heh...heh
ReplyDeleteThose are stunning! If we win, well donate to our shelter.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great give-away CK. I'd be honored to win a couple for myself and would give the remainder to our shelter.
ReplyDeleteEven through the plastic, CK? Wow, we must try that stinky stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having the give away.
Maggie, Mickey Mouser, and Rufus the Red
What a cool cornucopia of toys!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway, CK.
My cats love valerian, but I don't so mine will have to stick with nip and silvervine. I didn't know about honeysuckle.
ReplyDeleteCK our Mom is now humming that song!
ReplyDeleteAND I dare say you look postively glowing with those toys -- it must be the valerian.
ck.... Mystic crystal revelation ♫♫♪♪♫♪♪
ReplyDeletesa~wheat....best fishes two everee one, theeze toyz look like mega fun; we can see ewe waz BUZZED happpe with em, N we gived yur moovee 984 paws up; spesh a lee round de 41 ore sew.... second mark.... when ya put de bitey on de pack AGE ☺☺
♥♥♥
Those toys are great ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteOohhh... I LOVE Valerian! Peep #1 bought a couple of plants that she neglected to plant and when the roots protruded from the bottoms of the pots? I was on 'em faster than you one can say nip on cheese on pizza, for sure. MOUSES!
ReplyDeletePurrs,
Seville.
Oh, SNAP! Those pillows and toys look fabulous, CK. And that valerian looks to be potent!
ReplyDeleteThose toys look great! Valerian is my favourite too, ever since I was introduced to it a few years ago by the Katnip Loungers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to enter for this. My Bootzi is special needs and I am constantly looking for something she will like. Most toys she just snears at. Keeping my fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
That was one amazing toy haul, CK! Pawsome giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteOMG i want these toys for Jack Frost!
ReplyDeleteI have never had a chance to experience Valerian but I am very eager. Catnip is passe. Silvervine is okay. Those toys look really good.
ReplyDeleteOh my CK, that stuff is pretty darn amazing and your stunning self sure enjoyed!!!
ReplyDeleteThey look like cool toys! I've never heard of cats liking valerian. I will have to try some with them.
ReplyDeleteThose toys sure look great the kittens have pretty much destroyed our catnip candy.
ReplyDeletePArker and Ken NEED valerian. Maybe they will pick each other rather than Mags. Love ya homey
ReplyDeleteYou're a lucky kitty to have so many herbal toys to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteNip doesn't do much for me so I may have to try valerian or silvervine.
My poor cat, I didn't even know there were alternatives to catnip! I'll have to get him something else to see how he likes it.
ReplyDeleteCK, the video was awesome and the music was awesomer.
ReplyDeleteOh oh oh I lubs me some Valerian! It makes da catnip buzz much mellower. I always try to eat da lady's herbal tea bags.
ReplyDeleteDarling, the picture biting the bag got me all excited. Grrrrrrrrrowl! And then it was so exciting watching you on the video, except the Ooompa Loompa music kinda took the edge off, you know? Come join me on my table. XOXOXO
ReplyDeleteWow!, that stuff really gotted yous going! Mes must say, nothing does that for mes anymore so if mes wins (And YES mes Did enter) mes would asks that it goes to Marg at Marg's Animals...can mes does that?
ReplyDeleteKisses
Nellie
Oh MeOW CK this might just be da ticket to cheer me up. Me sure luvs dat valerian root. Fanks fur da chance to win.
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi
We love the valerian...almost as much as nip. These look like pawsome toys.
ReplyDeleteStill never tried valerian... really want to see what Callie will think of it! These toys are super cute too.
ReplyDeleteNever heard of Valerian. Can I grow it? MOL
ReplyDeleteWe are glad you are enjoying the valerian, CK! We did not show any interest in the valerian when we had some, and the Mom doesn't appreciate the smell either (MOL) so if we win, we will gift our prize to a kitty who will truly appreciate it. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I think you might actually like those things.. We have never tried valerian, but I think you did a good job of showing us that we better! Wow!
ReplyDeletePurrty pawsome toys there! I know our kitties would have a ball!
ReplyDelete