Dear Sparkle,
Like most cats, I enjoy dipping into the nip now and again. It’s a fun way to loosen up and go a little crazy. I always look forward to the times my human brings out the tin of the good stuff. But there’s a little problem around here: my roommate likes the nip too much! I mean, rolling around and feeling frisky is one thing, but he goes nuts! He always starts off okay, just huffing it a bit and rubbing himself in it, but then he starts flinging himself around. Next thing you know, he’s growling and slapping me if I come within a foot of him. What a buzz kill! Is there anything I can do about him?
Signed,
Nipped Out, Not Flipped Out
Dear Nipped Out,
Most cats can enjoy nip occasionally without any ill effects, but there are a small minority of cats who just can’t handle the stuff without becoming aggressive and rowdy. Binga is the same way — when she gets into the nip, a slapfest is not far behind. What to do about a cat like that? Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about your roommate. You can’t keep him away from it, because you know that if there is any nip around, he will immediately sniff it out, and even a few crumbs will send him over the edge. When a cat has nip rage, about the only thing you can do is stay out of his way. If you want to get your buzz on undisturbed, I would recommend waiting until he has passed out before you start sniffing. It won’t take long — as you know, the catnip high really only lasts about 15 minutes, after which he will probably conk out. His nap will most likely last quite a bit longer than your nip fest, so this is actually a good time for you to indulge.
I know my advice may seem a little unsatisfactory to you — who wants to plan their nipping around another cat’s napping? But sadly, there is no 12-step program for family members of nip-aholics. My only other suggestion is that maybe you could get your human to bring home some cat toys containing valerian or honeysuckle. I have heard these plants have catnip-like effects, but they are less prone to bring out aggressiveness.
See all of Summer’s merch at her Designercat Shop, available on Zazzle.
I love a bit of a niptastic time myself, but we always have to take care of those who abstain.
My mum sympathises, as she doesn’t drink much at all, maybe 2 or 3 drinks a year, and often is made to feel that she is missing out on the good time.
MOL, great advice Sparkle. Luckily none of us around here go nuts over the nip. At least our personalities don’t change any. Hope you have a super Sunday.
I’m not a fan of the nip. So I guess I’m calm.
Fortunately we’re all mellow nippers here, well, four of us are…Sister Sascha doesn’t partake, she could care less!
We both love a nip fest but although we are a bit silly we aren’t nasty with each other.
We love nip fests but we’re pretty mellow when we get into it.
The Florida Furkids and Angel Sniffie
Hmmm. Interesting. We didn’t realize there could be aggressive nip addicts. We are calm when/after we indulge. Good advice, Sparkle.
-Pip, Smidgen, Minnie
We just love our nip around here!!!! We haven’t witnessed a nip rage, but there is some extreme sillliness that happens.
Great advice Sparkle!
Nip rage. Hahahahaha
Hmmmm, when we sniff nip we get couch lock! No aggresion here.
Sparkle, This article must have been written about our sister Fionna. She’s one angry nipper. One sniff and she gets mean, aggressive and nasty especially to mommy. Mommy rarely lets her hit the nip due to her unpleasant nip rage.
I go a little for the nip, but not the way the kitten does. I think he’s going to have a real problem…
We love the nip but don’t experience nip rage. Well, except for that one time when Angel got too much of the Plague Rat and she batted at Mommy!
Isabella
MOL some kitteah just can’t handle their nips! =^_^=
I love nip but it just makes me very happy, then hungry and then I nap.
Flynn
nip-anon?? That’s interesting about the valerian and honeysuckle, I never knew that. Fortunately around here nobody gets too weird with the nip…well maybe except Mango, but he’s weird anyway.
A little nip is nice now and then but even I wouldn’t want to have it every day