Catnip: a new use for a food dehydrator
By Liz Palika
November 27, 2009
I have a food dehydrator and find that it’s wonderful for drying excess food from my garden — fruits and veggies. I also use it to dry other plants, especially herbs.
I inherited my green thumb (and love of animals) from my Grandma. She always had a huge garden that included herbs of many kinds. She used to hang herbs in the garage — roots up and flowers down was her mantra to us kids. Grandma, who was of Lakota Indian heritage, used herbs in cooking but also as medicines. She also didn’t believe in waste so everything was cooked, cured, canned, dried, or frozen.
One herb that I love to grow is catnip. Several times each growing season I will trim some leaves and flowers from the catnip; usually the top six inches or so. The plant will regrow vigorously and the trimming will keep it from getting too leggy.
Not all cats are affected by catnip, which I find very interesting. Some cats like the fresh newly picked catnip — Xena will roll in it – spreading its oils and scents all over herself. Many other cats find the fresh catnip too strong and prefer it dried. Before you decide to grow catnip, you might want to introduce some to your cat and see if he or she even likes it.
Once I trim the plant, I place the entire stems on the drying racks of the dehydrator. The stems should also be spread out in one layer so they aren’t on top of each other. I dry the stems for two to three hours or until the thickest stem is completely dry. Drying times will vary depending upon the dehydrator and how much water was in the catnip stems, leaves and flowers.
Once dry, I pick all the flowers and leaves from the stems and put them in an airtight container. I crumble them as I do so. Then I mix it all up so if I take out a pinch, flowers and leaves are all mixed together.
I use the catnip inside cat toys. I will also rub some into the sides of cat trees and scratching posts to encourage the cats to use these instead of the furniture. For my amusement, I’ll drop a small handful on the living room floor; watching the cats is better than television any day! Sometimes just for fun I will sprinkle a tiny bit over the cats’ food.
I also use catnip for environmental enrichment. To keep minds and bodies active, I will take place a pinch of catnip in several places all over the house. The cats then run, climb, sniff, search, and find those bits of catnip. It’s fun for me and I have fun watching them.
That first sentence made me think of Eddie in Friends…
Comment by Alex — November 27, 2009 @ 5:19 am
Where does one purchase a food dehydrator?
One cat I have goes bezerk over catnip. The second cat is learning to like catnip.
All over my yard there is catnip growing wild, and other cats love to visit to enjoy their share.
However, I have never seen a food dehydrator and do not even know what to look for.
I also have never tried catnip tea, but I have seen it on the shelves for humans—maybe I am afraid I might go bezerk? :)
Comment by Colorado Transplant — November 27, 2009 @ 7:44 am
I got mine on ebay. But I bet you’d also have good luck on craigslist.
Another way to preserve fresh herbs is to freeze them - in water. You basically submerge the cut herb in water and freeze it that way. Once thawed, it’s almost like using the fresh-cut herb again. And for some uses (adding to a stew, for example), you can just toss in the entire “herb-sicle” without needing to thaw it first.
As for catnip - I somehow have ended up with three cats - none of whom respond to it. Cry for me! (G!)
Comment by The OTHER Pat — November 27, 2009 @ 9:38 am
All my cats enjoy dried catnip to some degree, but I’ve never offered them the fresh herb.
(Oh, and I also have a Xena!)
Comment by Average Jane — November 27, 2009 @ 10:35 am
Thanks, Pat. Once I know what it looks like on e-bay or Craigslist, I might get lucky at a yard sale or flea market.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — November 27, 2009 @ 10:48 am
Do the cats not assault the food dryer while it is in action?
Colorado Transplant, you can get an American Harvest or a knock-off at many stores that stock kitchen appliances. Cheap this time of year.
I’ve been using my American Harvest for nearly 20 years. It’s fantastic.
http://www.thekitchenstore.com/neamhasndean.html
Comment by H. Houlahan — November 27, 2009 @ 11:43 am
Dehydrators are also great for making dog treats. If your dogs like those spendy sweet potato chews it’s a lot cheaper to buy - or better yet grow - some squash or pumpkins, and make your own.
Slice the veggies (technically speaking they’re fruits, but you get my drift) into 1/2” to 1” thick slabs and dry until they’re about the consistency of rawhides. If you can handle the stink (or do it outside) you can make liver treats in one too.
I made a batch of cranberry, orange, mango fruit leather in mine last week for people treats. Nom!
Comment by Janeen — November 27, 2009 @ 1:05 pm
About 1977 my favorite aunt mailed me a package from Pennsylvania which contained, among other things, a couple of Baggies full of dried catnip. She included a note in each, stating: “Postmaster, this is catnip. Really.”
Comment by Martha M. — November 27, 2009 @ 10:28 pm
I never thought of playing hide the catnip! That’s going to be fun.
I keep wornout knotted socks steeping in a container of catnip. That’s good for grab-and-kick or rub-and-drool depending on the cat.
Comment by rheather — November 28, 2009 @ 7:28 am
I have a friend who makes catnip toys from baby socks…stuffed with cotton and catnip, sewn closed at the top with feathers. Here’s a link to my aby rescue girl going nuts with her sock last year. http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/photo.php?id=374971
Comment by Moira — November 28, 2009 @ 1:33 pm
You can also find dehydrators at camping supply stores.
And yes, when I tried to do it in the house, the dehydrator was watched carefully by Xena so I moved it to the garage.
When I get a chance I’ll share some dog treat recipes for the dehydrator - it’s easy to make them.
Comment by Liz Palika — November 30, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
My cat alights on top of the stove, microwave, etc. so I decided against a dehydrator which might be another hazard for her.
I am growing grass from a package a bought from Petco. Both cats love to eat the grass and it takes less than a week to pop up from the package. Very simple to grow.
The catnip will have to be bought dry from the pet store or—in the warmer weather—eaten raw.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — December 1, 2009 @ 7:17 am