The Story of Honeysuckle
Beverly Clements, formerly of Texas A & M states: “As a biochemical researcher I find honeysuckle is very intriguing to study. We have established that it is a definite attractant to cats and in fact, has a wider attraction for the cats than catnip does. It is a special treat for them … they seem to go of in their own little world. Colleagues have never seen anything give that much pleasure to cats and we feel that further research may lead to possible medicinal uses. THE CAT HOUSE takes pride in bringing only the best quality honeysuckle to market. We start by selecting premium branches and slow drying them for at least a year. We then sort, trim and clean the wood to ensure that we set and maintain the highest standards for our customers and their cats. We've included an article written by Amy Shojai on the topic of Honeysuckle for your enjoyment. |
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(Article written by Amy Shojai - August, 1994, “Cats” Magazine) Jingles, a grey and tabby, delicately noses the treat and licks his lips. One sniff has black, lop-eared Butch flopping and rolling in ecstasy. Nineteen-year-old Smokey's eyes droop as she drools and rubs her whiskers against the treat. No, it's not catnip. These cats are indulging in honeysuckle. Joanne and Henry Wegiel, owners of THE CAT HOUSE specialty store in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, believe they're the first and only retailers to market honeysuckle for cats. How did they find out about the feline affinity for honeysuckle? The bushes grew in the backyard of the home where Joanne was raised, and the family cats used them as scratching posts.
When Joanne and her husband decided to open THE CAT HOUSE it was only natural that they would stock honeysuckle treats. They're sold as slices (cross-sections of the honeysuckle branch) and sticks in various sizes. According to Joanne, the larger sticks make excellent scratching posts. Unique Gift Of Nature THE CAT HOUSE variety is Lonicera Tatarica, which was first recognized in the mountain regions of Europe. The species has apparently been transplanted, intentionally or otherwise, since it is not native to Western Canada. Honeysuckle is planted in the Calgary area as a decorative shrub - deep pink or white flowers appear mid-May to early June, followed by red berries. "If you don't prune the bushes, they'll grow as tall as a house with trunks 4 to 5 inches in diameter," Joanne says. "Most people don't let them grow that big because they get scrubby looking." The Scent of Pleasure! "We've either given away or sold literally tens of thousands of pieces of honeysuckle with no problems," says Joanne. "Honeysuckle simply affects the cat's sense of smell. It gives them extreme pleasure through their olfactory nerves." Although honeysuckle wood is extremely hard, Joanne cautions that cats should not be permitted to chew on the slices since there's a slight chance a piece could break off and cause the cat to choke. The sticks are less apt to crack, splinter or sliver than the slices (the bark simply shreds to ribbons); still Joanne is inclined to play it safe. She does not recommend it for cats that like to chew on everything. "However," she continues, "few cats actually chew on honeysuckle. Most prefer to just lick the wood." Wetting the honeysuckle seems to bring out the aroma. Cats "under the influence" tend to become extremely affectionate and loving. Kitty Appeal Constant exposure may decrease the effect, but this varies from cat to cat. One of Joanne's house cats has indulged daily for years. "First thing every morning, Wiley leads us to his 'loving post'," Joanne says, laughing. "He rubs his face against it, then claws at it and hugs it." Other cats seem to need to be "in the mood" for a honeysuckle binge. Joanne's shop cat, Lesley Anne, is exposed to honeysuckle all the time, and she's rather blasé about the whole thing. "But once or twice a week, a customer will put a stick on the counter to buy," Joanne says, "and Lesley Anne will jump up and claim it. The other day I saw her do a face- plant into our basket of samples. Whenever we get fresh cut honeysuckle, she's in the box inhaling it." How long does the effect last? "A slice will interest a cat for at least a year; a stick will last several years," Joanne says. "We have a stick that's been out in our yard rain and shine for five years, and it still attracts the neighbours cats." If you decide to treat your cat to honeysuckle, be warned – some cats may get demanding. "A man traveling through Calgary bought a stick for his bobcat," Joanne recounts. "When he came back the next day and bought four more sticks, I asked if the bobcat liked it, and the man said, "Like it? I couldn't get it away from him!" |
THE CAT HOUSE Henry and Joanne Wegiel stock over 5,000 feline - related gift items, including honeysuckle, at the The Cat House. Honeysuckle wood as been pre-approved for import by both United States and Canadian departments of agriculture. |