Cats love catnip. and it’s perfectly safe: it contains nothing that could harm your cat. if your cat were to happen to eat a large amount of catnip, it could cause a mild stomach upset, but that’s unlikely to happen.
what is catnip?
Catnip is a perennial herb in the mint family. It originated in North Africa and the Mediterranean, but now commonly grows wild throughout Europe and North America. the nicknames of the plant, catnip, catmint or catwort, are undoubtedly inspired by the well-known taste of cats for plants.
why do cats love it?
The active compound in catnip is nepetalactone. cats detect this compound by smell. Nepetalactone is generally thought to mimic the effect of a feline pheromone, possibly associated with mating.
catnip acts as a natural mood enhancer. it can cause your cat to act quite unusually; she may become more cat-like or particularly affectionate. She can also roll, kick or rub her face in the fountain of catnip. or she may jump up and get playful, running from room to room as if she’s chasing unseen prey.
Some cats just relax a lot and stare into space. all of this behavior may be marked by a lot of meowing or growling. The effects of catnip are brief, usually lasting between 5 and 15 minutes. after that, it will take a couple of hours before a cat demonstrates the effects of catnip again.
Why do I give my cat catnip?
Because your cat will like being fed catnip, it’s a great treat to use during training or to encourage a cat to use a scratching post or sleep on its own bed. It can also be a good way to encourage your cat to exercise, it can even help your cat to relax. whatever the reason, it’s a lot of fun!
how should I give catnip to my cat?
catnip products come in a variety of forms. You can buy powdered catnip or catnip bulbs that you can sprinkle on the ground or in a toy. some toys come scented with catnip or have catnip inside. You can also get catnip oil or spray oil, which can be used to scent a toy or bedding. cats will react to even very small amounts of catnip, so you don’t need to use a lot.
My cat doesn’t seem to be responding to catnip.
about 30% of cats have no observable response to catnip. being affected by catnip is apparently an inherited trait. many cats simply do not have the receptors to be affected by catnip.
Despite their playful nature, kittens generally don’t respond to catnip until after their first six months. You may also notice that as your cat gets older, she loses interest in catnip.
catnip seems to make my cat aggressive
Some cats, usually males, become aggressive when you give them catnip, possibly due to catnip’s connection to mating behavior. if this is the case with your cat, stop.
You might consider an alternative like honeysuckle or valerian. talk to your vet, he or she will be able to tell you if they think catnip is right for your pet or recommend other alternatives.
Catnip is a perennial herb in the mint family. It originated in North Africa and the Mediterranean, but now commonly grows wild throughout Europe and North America. the nicknames of the plant, catnip, catmint or catwort, are undoubtedly inspired by the well-known taste of cats for plants.
