What is catnip?
A member of the mint family, this herb contains a substance known as nepatalactone. Its that ingredient in catnip that causes the reaction in cats. A cat aroused by catnip will usually exhibit behavior such as rubbing, rolling and playing. Cats will often even chew the catnip. The catnip response usually lasts about 15 minutes and is harmless and non-addictive. Its a great way for a cat to work off anxiety. It can also be a wonderful adjunct to a feline weight loss program because it encourages play behavior. For a depressed or sedentary cat, catnip can aid in putting the spark back in his life. Not all cats react to catnip though, and kittens should not be given catnip. Catnip and catnip-filled toys shouldnt be left out for your cat all of the time. If constantly exposed to catnip, a cat can become immune to its effects. So limit it to once or twice a week. The catnip response is an inherited gene that one-third of cats lack. So don’t get worried if your cat doesn’t react to the herb.
If youve ever watched as a cat “flipped” over fresh catnip perhaps youve been struck with the question; “what causes Catnip to affect cats that way?” Catnip is indeed an unusual phenomenon among cats, it has the ability to alter your cats behavior like nothing else can. So what exactly is the reason for what scientists have coined as “the Catnip effect”? Unfortunately for such inquisitive minds the exact reason of why Catnip affects cats in such a manner remains mostly a mystery. There is however much that we do know about Catnip and cats even if we dont have the ultimate answer of exactly “why?” yet answered. The Science Stuff Catnip is scientifically classified as Nepeta cataria and is a perennial herb from the mint family and is in fact also referred to as “Catmint”. It is a plant indigenous to Europe but has been exported and is now found all over including the United States and Canada. The active ingredient in Catnip is an oil; Nepetalactone, which is found in the leaves of the pl
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial herb of the mint family. Although originally native to Europe, it has been successfully imported to many countries of the world where it is often considered to be a weed! The plant can grow as high as 3 feet, has lots of branches and can be recognised by its clusters of small white purple-spotted flowers at the ends of its stems. How does catnip work? Catnip contains various aromatic oils including one called nepetalactone, a mild hallucinogen, which is the main cause of the clinical signs. The receptor for nepetalactone is in the vomeronasal organ (also known as Jacobson’s organ) at the back of the cat’s nose and catnip needs to be inhaled to cause its effect. Indeed it is a great chance to see a cat exhibit what is known as the Flehmen response where it pulls its gums back from its teeth and almost looks as if it is smiling (see picture below, right). By doing this, the cat presses its tongue against the roof of its mouth forcing air through the
Catnip, also called catmint, is an herb that is, as its name suggests, very attractive to cats. It is a member of the mint family. Catnip leaves and stems are fuzzy, like sage. Easy to cultivate, catnip will spread rapidly, like any mint. If the leaves are crushed or bruised, an aromatic volatile oil will be released, and it will quickly attract any cat in the vicinity, who will eat the bruised plant. If growing catnip in your garden, you may need to protect it with wire mesh. Catnip has long been a specific remedy for colds, bronchitis and insomnia. Prepare an infusion of catnip by steeping the herb in water which has been boiled. The active ingredients of catnip are quickly dissipated, so do not boil the water with the catnip, and cover the pot to retain the steam. Catnip has an antispasmodic effect, and is therefore useful against diarrhea, cramps and colic. It is mild enough to give to children. Catnip can be added to salads as a savory green. If growing catnip to dry for home use,
