Whisker City is a place where the most sleep you’d get is a catnap, as neon lights reflect off cobblestone streets. But today, the town is overloaded with an exceptional scurry of activity.
On every corner, in every high window loft, out in the streets, and in the lazy catnip latte lounges—everyone has one thing on their mind, and it's not finding a cozy lap to curl up on. The latest craze has taken the city by storm.
It’s tweaking toys, and every cat in town wants in on the action. You see, someone figured out, quite by accident, that you can put catnip in cat toys.
No. I’m lying. Actually, the advanced alien race of cats in Whisker City has had catnip-filled toys forever. They’ve tried catnip every which way: in brownies, bedding, scratching posts, and even in bubble baths... but nothing hits the spot quite like a tweaking toy stuffed with that magical herb.
But one day, someone calls this new catnip toy a “fidget spinner”, and suddenly everyone wants one.
Are Catnip Toys Good for Cats?
As the conversation continues, a tiny voice speaks up. It’s Elvira, the young kitten from the last Meow-gical Mystery Night, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Are catnip toys good for cats like me? Or should I stick to regular toys?”
Kingpin looks down at her with a gentle smile. “Elvira, tweaking toys are great for all cats, young and old. They help us burn off energy, keep our minds sharp, and give us a safe way to enjoy the effects of catnip.
“You see, some cats just like to sit around all day long. They lack stimulation. Maybe they have no cat friends or they’re an…,” Kingpin shifts to a hesitant whisper, “Indoor only cat”.
Elvira shivers. “You mean they exist?”
“Not here is Whisker City, of course. But I’ve heard the tails of horror."
Kingpin continues, “Catnip toys are very good for sedentary cats. Toys are a fun way to get them moving. They're great for fat cats and those with pee that smells like a beehive.” The crowd grows around them now as curious felines turn away from their cat nip toys for a moment’s rest.
What Is Catnip?
Purrlock, a bow-tie sporting British Short Hair, nods thoughtfully, “So, these catnip toys for cats—what exactly makes them so irresistible? Is it just the nip, or is there something more?”
“Ah, I’ll tell you.” Kingpin leaps onto a low roof edge like a ninja with nine lives, his tail flicking with excitement.
“Catnip is in the mint family, which includes several other odiferous siblings: Peppermint, Spearmint, their Weird cousin, Basil, and his wild daughter Mentha Sativa.
Mint is well-known for its robust scent profile and anti-inflammatory properties. That’s why menthol cigarettes are a popular thing for humans.
But there’s one mint that we cats can’t get enough of. They'll always be fiending for that next Free Hit. That’s nepeta cataria (cat nip). Nepeta meaning 'love'... and cataria…I don’t know what that could mean.”
What Does Catnip Do to Cats?
“Catnip has a very special terpene called nepetalactone (NLT).” Kingpin continues. “It’s like the THC of Whisker City. But it’s not habit-forming. In fact, if we get too much of it, we just stop reacting altogether. Imagine that—getting bored of catnip! It’s why we have to pace ourselves, or else the magic fades faster than a laser pointer under the couch.”
“It attaches to receptors in our noses like THC attaches to the receptors in the endocannabinoid system for humans. And when we smell it, we transform. Suddenly, the world is a playground, and every shadow is worth chasing. It’s pure, unfiltered feline bliss!”
“We’re rolling. We’re tweaking. We’re pouncing on invisible mice and acting like we’ve found the meaning of life in that sunbeam that moves across the kitchen floor. It’s like every dream we’ve ever had comes to life in that moment.”
Can Cats Have Too Many Catnip Toys for Cats?
"As I’ve said before, moderation is key.” Kingpin surrenders a knowing nod, “My mentor, Bumpy, taught me that. Turned my life around. You don’t want to end up tweaking out and forgetting where you hid your favorite toy… or worse, your favorite napping spot…do you?”
Elvira shakes her head.
The other cats chuckle, remembering their own lost treasures hidden under couches and behind bookshelves after playing too long with their catnip toys for cats.
The crowd of cats chuckles, remembering their own lost treasures hidden under couches and behind bookshelves.
“But if I can get a little serious for a moment. Like any hard drug, the more we partake in that sweet herbage, the higher our tolerance can go. You may stop responding for a time. But fear not.
“Take a break from your cat nip toys, mounds of powdery nippin’ bliss, and catnip-infused lattes (hold the espresso because cats don’t do caffeine)— maybe for a week or two. Fun times will return.
"I swear to you…those nipped fidget spinners will become cool again. They may look a little different, but trends move in cycles just like the lasers we used to chase, and before that, we chased cavemen.
What’s old becomes new again, and before you know it, you’ll be tweaking out like it’s the first time all over again.
The Tweaking Toy Showdown
Just as Kingpin finishes his advice, a commotion erupts at the edge of the crowd. Nimbletoes, the street-smart Bengal, is making his way through, a mischievous grin on his face.
“Kingpin,” Nimbletoes calls out, “I challenge you to a tweaking toy showdown! Let’s see who’s really the king of catnip toys in Whisker City!”
The crowd gasps in excitement. A showdown between Kingpin and Nimbletoes?
This was going to be more epic than the epic rap battle on MewTube that pitted Boba Fett vs. Deadpool a few years back. That one didn’t turn out well, but at least no one ended up in carbonite.
Would Kingpin come out on top, or would he have to pull a Jedi mind trick just to save face?
Kingpin raises an eyebrow but doesn’t miss a beat. “You’ve got guts, Nim, I’ll give you that. But remember, it’s not just about who can tweak the hardest—it’s about style, finesse, knowing when to make your move, and maybe don’t be breakdancing in Australia.”
The cats gather around as the two rivals prepare for the ultimate test of their tweaking skills. The rules are simple: each cat is given a brand-new, catnip-infused toy, and the first to wear it out with their tweaking prowess wins.
The toys are tossed into the ring, and in an instant, both cats are in action. Kingpin is all about smooth moves and calculated strikes, while Nimbletoes lives up to his name, darting and pouncing with wild abandon. The crowd roars with excitement, each cat cheering for their favorite.
But in the end, it’s Kingpin who takes the victory; his toy is still intact, while Nimbletoes’ is a pile of shredded fabric and leaking catnip.
Kingpin, ever the gracious winner, paws Nimbletoes on the back. “Nice try, Nim. But remember, it’s not just about how hard you tweak—it’s about enjoying the journey and knowing where to get your Free Hit.”Available On:
