Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and who better to spend it with than your pet? Whether it’s a hitting the road for a day hike or staying in and snuggling on the couch, spending some one-on-one time with your pet provides numerous benefits for both of you, including reduced stress and anxiety and increased opportunities for exercise and socialization.

One popular myth about cats is they’re happiest having the freedom to go outside. This is far from the truth. There are many cats who are born and raised indoors who have no interest in going outside and would panic if they found themselves on the wrong side of the door.

If you feel your kitty should roam the great outdoors, you’re not alone. Many cat lovers feel their cat is happiest lounging in the fresh air or stalking unsuspecting prey.

However, there are many reasons why it’s safer for your kitty to stay inside - traffic being one - and many cat owners are realizing the dangers of life outdoors.

If you laugh at the idea of getting your couch potato kitty into an exercise routine, consider this: an overweight kitty is at risk for serious health issues. In fact, excess weight increases your kitty’s propensity toward diabetes, joint disease, and even urinary tract problems.

According to The American Pet Products Association, 62 percent of American households have either a dog, a cat, or both. Chances are, if you already have pets and kids, they’ve learned how to get along.

As a pet lover, you know your pet makes you happy. But you may be surprised to hear that science agrees that those warm feelings can lift your mood and even lower your blood pressure!

In fact, the positives are such that pets are now invited into all sorts of therapy settings, such as hospitals, to soothe and calm the patients. There’s even a name for it: “pet therapy.”

As a pet lover, you know your pet makes you happy. But you may be surprised to hear that science agrees that those warm feelings can lift your mood and even lower your blood pressure!

In fact, the positives are such that pets are now invited into all sorts of therapy settings, such as hospitals, to soothe and calm the patients. There’s even a name for it: “pet therapy.”

If you’re like most cat owners, you’ve probably bought your cat one of those catnip stuffed mice from the pet store. Maybe your cat rolled around with it in ecstasy and then proceeded to dissect it. Or, maybe your cat gave it sniff and walked on by, tailing swishing in the air without a care.

Perplexing isn't it? Turns out either reaction is common and you'll see why in a moment, but first, let's look at the herb itself.