Any pet store or boutique will likely have a variety of catnip toys available for purchase. Your cat may act like a kitten again or even enter a relaxed state when given catnip. But what is cCats Love Cat Nippleatnip, and why do some cats have such strong reactions to it?
Catnip: What Is It?
Nepeta cataria, or catnip, is a plant that is a member of the Lamiaceae family. Herbs like sage, oregano, basil, and rosemary are also members of this family. Nepeta musinii, or catmint, is another member of this plant family that has the ability to draw cats. In North America, Asia, and Europe, catnip grows wild. It has been demonstrated to be an effective mosquito repellent in addition to attracting cats. Nepetalactone is a compound found in the aromatic oil that catnip produces from its leaves, stems, and flowers. When your cat reacts to catnip, it is this compound that they are responding to.
The Catnip Adoration
The nepetalactone in catnip has an odor that often attracts cats to it. Nepetalactone is thought to function as a pheromone by attaching itself to receptors in your cat’s nasal passages and nose.
Not all cats, but the majority will react visibly to catnip. While some cats may become calm and relaxed, others may become agitated, excited, and playfully aggressive. Catnip can have effects that linger for ten to thirty minutes. It may take a few hours after the effects wear off for your cat to react to catnip once more. There is no research to determine whether catnip affects cats neurochemically in a manner similar to how mind-altering drugs affect humans, despite the fact that some people refer to a cat’s reaction as a “catnip high.”
Not every cat will react to catnip, even though catnip toys are very popular. Actually, about half of cats won’t even react to catnip!
In actuality, your cat’s genetic makeup determines how they will respond to catnip. Your cat’s response to something can be predicted by a gene that is inherited. Your cat might react to other plants, like silver vine, if they don’t react to catnip.
Silver vine, also referred to as matatabi, is a member of the Actinidiaceae family of plants and grows in China’s and Japan’s mountains. Silver vine contains nepelactone as well, so cats that react to catnip will also react to it. However, actinidine, an aromatic compound, is also present in silver vine. Additionally, most cats that do not react to nepetalactone will react to actinidine, which is a cat attractant. Silver vine is found as chew sticks, which are basically cuttings from the plant itself, or as a powder.
How to Give Catnip
There are several forms that catnip is available in stores. Nepelactone oil is found in spray form and in dried catnip that is sold in tubs. Even catnip can be grown in your backyard! Having a container of dehydrated catnip nearby can help rotate your cat’s toys and bring some new life to them.
One thing you can do to help create a mentally stimulating home environment is to rotate your toys. Keep some of your cat’s toys in a plastic storage container with some dried catnip on top, rather than leaving them all out all the time. Shake the container once a week and replace the old toys inside while you gather the new ones from all over your house.
While sprays typically contain less nepetalactone, dried catnip tends to refresh toys more effectively. However, over time, the oils in dried catnip can still evaporate. To prolong the shelf life of dried catnip, place any unused portion in the freezer.
You can also sprinkle dried catnip on top of recently purchased beds and toys/scratching posts. By doing this, you can encourage your cat to play with their new beds and toys rather than scuffing up your furniture.
Safety Advice
Cats can safely consume catnip. It’s thought to be non-toxic even if your cat consumes a lot of it. Naturally, this does not imply that catnip toys are without risk. Your cat may chew through their catnip toys, removing stuffing in an attempt to consume any dried catnip that may be inside, depending on how they react to it. Your cat may need surgery to treat an intestinal foreign body or blockage if they swallow any stuffing or fabric from their catnip toy. Aggressive cats may also be more likely to bite or scratch you unintentionally when playing. Though they don’t intend to hurt, these acts have the potential to do more harm than a play-swat or a love-bite. When giving your cat catnip, proceed with caution if they have a tendency to become very excited about it.
Certain cats may behave strangely when given catnip. Overall, though, it’s a secure addition to any cat’s toy collection.
