What is catnip for?

Cats love catnip. And it is completely safe for the pet – there is nothing in it that could harm his health. If, for some reason, your cat eats a large amount of catnip, it may only cause mild stomach upset, and it’s unlikely to happen.

What is catnip?

Catnip is a perennial herb from the Lamiaceae family. Originally native to North Africa and the Mediterranean, it is now widely distributed in Europe and North America. Names such as catnip, mint catnip, or catnip are no doubt inspired by the well-known predilection of cats for this plant.

Why do cats love her?

The active ingredient in catnip is nepetalactone. Cats detect it by smell. Nepetalactone is thought to be comparable to a cat pheromone, possibly associated with mating.

Catnip acts as a natural mood enhancer. The effect of it looks rather unusual: the cat becomes more playful or very affectionate. She may also roll on the floor, scrape with her paw or rub her muzzle against the source of the smell of catnip. Or she can jump and frolic, running from room to room, as if chasing invisible prey.

Some cats become relaxed and stare blankly into the void. This behavior may be accompanied by active meowing or purring. Catnip has a short duration of action – usually 5 to 15 minutes. Again, the cat will be able to respond to it in about a couple of hours.

Why give catnip to my cat?

Because your cat will love catnip, it makes a great treat during training or to get her cat used to the scratching post or her bed. It can also be a good motivator for physical activity, and even help your cat relax. Whatever the reason, the cat will love this smell.

How should I give catnip to my cat?

Catnip comes in a variety of forms. You can buy it in powder form or in a bottle to sprinkle around or spray on the toy. Some toys are sold already flavored with catnip or contain it inside. You can also purchase catnip essential oil or a spray containing catnip, which can be used to scent toys or a bed. Cats react to even very small amounts of catnip, so don’t get carried away.

My cat doesn’t seem to react to catnip

Approximately 30% of cats have no visible reaction to catnip. Most likely, the reaction to this plant is a hereditary trait. Many cats simply do not have the receptors that the active ingredient in catnip acts on.

Despite the playful nature of little kittens, catnip has little effect on them until they are six months old. You may also notice that as your cat gets older, they lose interest in catnip.

My cat seems to get aggressive from catnip

Some cats, usually males, become aggressive when catnip is given to them, likely due to its association with mating behavior. If this happens to your cat, stop giving it catnip.

You may be interested in alternatives such as honeysuckle or valerian. Check with your veterinarian who can tell you if catnip is right for your cat or recommend other options.