Anyone who has ever had a cat or kitten knows how crazy their feline friend eats catnip. What is catnip, and why does it drive cats crazy?
According to PetMD, catnip is an herb closely related to mint. When cats smell catnip, they experience behavioral changes that can mimic a cat going into heat, but male cats can also be affected by catnip.
When cats smell nepetalactone oil, which is found in catnip leaves, it can cause behavioral changes as the scent travels to their brains from pathways in their nose and mouth, according to PetMD.
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What does catnip do for cats?
According to the Humane Society, cats react to catnip by meowing, flipping, rolling, rubbing, and zoning. Some cats may become aggressive if you approach them while they are playing with catnip.
Other behavioral effects of catnip include fun, emotion, and even relaxation, according to PetMD. Cats experience different behaviors when they eat catnip while it is mellow, according to Human Society.
Catnip can be given to cats through toys filled with catnip, with fresh catnip plants that can be grown indoors, with a dry plant that can be sprinkled on the ground or on old toys or through a spray that can be used on old catnip toys or in your cat’s play area , according to pet food company Purina.
Most cats will lose interest in catnip in about 10 minutes, according to the Humane Society. However, the effects of catnip can last for up to two hours. After these two hours the cat can be affected by catnip again.
Not all cats show the same effects from catnip, as about 20 percent are not attracted to the plant, according to Petmate. Kittens less than eight weeks old and older kittens may not experience any response.
Can a cat have too much catnip?
Although catnip is safe for cats, cats can have too much of the plant, so it’s important to control how much your pet is exposed to, according to the Humane Society.
Too much catnip can cause dizziness, diarrhea, difficulty walking or vomiting in your pet, so it’s best to talk with your vet about the correct dosage to use on your feline friend, according to PetMD.
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Why do cats love catnip?
Domestic cats and even tigers, lions and leopards all love catnip, but why? Neptalactone, an essential oil found in the catnip plant, stimulates cats in ways similar to how cannabis affects humans, according to MyPetNaturally.com. When cats swallow or rub themselves with catnip, nepetalactone triggers a euphoric reaction, making cats feel good, according to Purina.
What are the benefits of catnip? Does catnip help cats with anxiety?
There are many benefits that come with introducing catnip into your cat’s routine. According to Petnaturally.com, catnip can help reduce stress, depression, and anxiety in cats by acting as a sedative. Catnip can also reduce bloating and stomach pain.
Does catnip raise cats? Can cats quit catnip?
According to PetMD, catnip can produce a high incidence in cats similar to those caused by marijuana use. When cats smell catnip and nepetalactone, they work their way through their endogenous opiate system and interact with cells in the upper airways. This causes the release of endorphins that act as a natural opioid, according to a research paper in ScienceDirect.
Theories that catnip produces reactions similar to hallucinogenic drugs such as LSD, however, may not be true and are difficult to prove, according to PetMD.
Don’t be alarmed, though. Your cat cannot become addicted to catnip and will not suffer from opiate withdrawal no matter how much catnip your pet is exposed to. However, repeated exposure to catnip can cause your cat to develop a tolerance to the plant, according to PetMD.
How often should I give my cat catnip?
Because cats can tolerate catnip, you should limit your pet’s exposure to about once a week, according to PetCareRX.com.