BS TOY CATNIP
In Stock
The BASIL Catnip Toy by BASIL Pet Care is a thoughtfully crafted, refillable cotton plush toy designed to address one of the most significant yet overlooked challenges in indoor feline life: boredom-driven inactivity, stress, and the absence of purposeful stimulation. Filled with premium-quality, 100% natural catnip (Nepeta cataria), this soft, kneadable toy activates your feline friend's deeply instinctual hunting, chasing, and pouncing behaviours, transforming a monotonous indoor routine into an exhilarating and enriching daily experience. The toy features a velcro-sealed refillable compartment at the back, allowing fresh catnip to be replenished again and again, extending the life of the toy across multiple play cycles and ensuring your feline companion's engagement never wanes. Made from non-toxic, cat-safe materials and available in cheerful colour variants, the BASIL Catnip Toy is suitable for kittens and adult cats of all breeds and sizes. Animeal is proud to offer the BASIL Catnip Toy as part of its curated selection of enrichment products that support the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of your beloved feline companion.
Ingredients:
Catnip (Nepeta cataria): Catnip is a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae (mint) family, and its principal bioactive compound is nepetalactone, a bicyclic monoterpenoid concentrated in the leaf trichomes and stem glands of the plant. When your feline friend encounters catnip, nepetalactone vapour binds to feline olfactory receptors, specifically the vomeronasal (Jacobson's) organ located in the roof of the oral cavity, triggering a cascade of neuroendocrine responses that mimic the signals of pheromone stimulation. This results in the characteristic catnip response: rolling, rubbing, vocalising, leaping, and an intense state of euphoric playfulness followed by a calm, relaxed phase lasting approximately 10 to 30 minutes. The response is entirely non-addictive and is driven by an inherited autosomal dominant gene present in approximately 70% of domestic cats. Catnip provides no pharmacological dependency and resets fully within 30 to 60 minutes, after which full responsiveness is restored. Regular catnip exposure has been documented to support mood regulation, reduce chronic stress hormones such as cortisol in indoor cats, and redirect destructive scratching and chewing impulses toward appropriate outlets.
Cotton Plush Outer Shell: The outer casing of the toy is constructed from soft, non-toxic, pet-safe cotton plush fabric that is gentle on your feline friend's paws, teeth, and gums during active chewing and batting sessions. The plush texture closely mimics the tactile sensation of prey fur, stimulating the natural predatory instinct at the sensory level and encouraging sustained engagement. The cotton construction is free from harmful dyes, chemical finishes, or synthetic coatings that could pose ingestion risks during vigorous chewing.
Velcro Refill Seal: The integrated velcro closure at the rear of the toy enables easy removal of spent catnip and effortless repacking with fresh catnip, maintaining the potency of the nepetalactone stimulus over time. As the volatile nepetalactone compounds dissipate with prolonged exposure to air, the refill function ensures your feline companion continues to receive a full-strength olfactory response session after session, maximising both the longevity and the ongoing value of the toy.
