Information from HSUS
You find your cat rolling and twisting on the floor, rubbing his face against it, and drooling everywhere. Right away you
know—he's been in the catnip.
What is catnip, anyway?
Catnip is a member of the mint family, which has about 250 species.
The essential oil in catnip, nepetalactone, has a powerful effect on
cats who are sensitive to it, turning even the most sedentary couch
potato into a flipped-out ball of ecstasy.
Smelling vs. eating
The most intense catnip experience is an olfactory one—your cat
smells the herb and promptly goes nuts. Researchers aren't sure
what the neurological explanation is, but it's thought that catnip
mimics feline "happy" pheromones and stimulates the receptors in
the brain that respond to those pheromones. When eaten, however,
catnip seems to have the opposite effect: the cat may become very
mellow.
Most cats react to catnip by rolling, flipping, rubbing, and eventually zoning
out. They may meow or growl at the same time. Other cats become
hyperactive, running around like their tails are on fire, and some get
downright aggressive, especially if you approach them. They must protect
their toys!
Usually these sessions last about 10 minutes, after which your cat loses
interest. It may take as long as two hours for her to "reset" and become
susceptible to catnip again.
Not for everyone
Not all cats fall for catnip. It's an inherited sensitivity, and if your cat didn't
get that gene, it simply won't care about catnip. An estimated 50 percent of
cats don't respond. The trait doesn't emerge until a cat is between three
and six months old; until then, a kitten will not have a response.
For humans, too
Catnip is not just for cats. It's been grown in medicinal gardens for centuries
for its sedative effect on humans. Made into a tea, catnip has calming properties similar to chamomile. Concentrated
nepetalactone is also an excellent mosquito repellent, 10 times more powerful than DEET, the most widely used
chemical repellent. The only hitch is that it only lasts a few hours.
Keepin' it fresh
Catnip does lose its potency over time, so to keep yours fresh for you or your cat, store it in the freezer in an airtight
container or bag.
You find your cat rolling and twisting on the floor, rubbing his face against it, and drooling everywhere. Right away you
know—he's been in the catnip.
What is catnip, anyway?
Catnip is a member of the mint family, which has about 250 species.
The essential oil in catnip, nepetalactone, has a powerful effect on
cats who are sensitive to it, turning even the most sedentary couch
potato into a flipped-out ball of ecstasy.
Smelling vs. eating
The most intense catnip experience is an olfactory one—your cat
smells the herb and promptly goes nuts. Researchers aren't sure
what the neurological explanation is, but it's thought that catnip
mimics feline "happy" pheromones and stimulates the receptors in
the brain that respond to those pheromones. When eaten, however,
catnip seems to have the opposite effect: the cat may become very
mellow.
Most cats react to catnip by rolling, flipping, rubbing, and eventually zoning
out. They may meow or growl at the same time. Other cats become
hyperactive, running around like their tails are on fire, and some get
downright aggressive, especially if you approach them. They must protect
their toys!
Usually these sessions last about 10 minutes, after which your cat loses
interest. It may take as long as two hours for her to "reset" and become
susceptible to catnip again.
Not for everyone
Not all cats fall for catnip. It's an inherited sensitivity, and if your cat didn't
get that gene, it simply won't care about catnip. An estimated 50 percent of
cats don't respond. The trait doesn't emerge until a cat is between three
and six months old; until then, a kitten will not have a response.
For humans, too
Catnip is not just for cats. It's been grown in medicinal gardens for centuries
for its sedative effect on humans. Made into a tea, catnip has calming properties similar to chamomile. Concentrated
nepetalactone is also an excellent mosquito repellent, 10 times more powerful than DEET, the most widely used
chemical repellent. The only hitch is that it only lasts a few hours.
Keepin' it fresh
Catnip does lose its potency over time, so to keep yours fresh for you or your cat, store it in the freezer in an airtight
container or bag.
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Catnip - the happy plant for your feline friends
Princess
Matty
| Bloomington Pet Pals We Play While You're Away |
