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There is no doubt that cats absolutely love catnip. Cat owners often treat their furry friends by allowing them to play with catnip but are not entirely sure why their cats get so excited when introduced to the scent of this mysterious herb. Read on to find out more about catnip and its effect on your feline friend.
Origins of
Catnip
Catnip
is another name given to Nepeta Cataria, an herb that was originally grown in
parts of Europe, Asia and the Middle East as a perennial plant. Today, the herb
is cultivated all over the world. The plant can be used in many ways and also
provides mild sedative effects when used on humans. The herb has plenty of
medicinal uses but is not used for those purposes as often.
The Effects of
Catnip
We
often see our cats reacting with excitement when they smell catnip. These
behaviors include rubbing or rolling around in it, hyperactive jumping and
leaping, moaning or purring, licking and even aggression. Research has
concluded that not all cats are sensitive to this herb. Only about 50 to 60
percent of the cat population is affected by this herb, exhibiting different
behavioral characteristics when they come across the scent of catnip. Cats
carry a gene that is sensitive to the scent of nepetalactone, an organic
compound found in the herb. The compound triggers the smell receptors and
activates the pleasurable pheromones in cats.
Every
cat reacts differently to the scent of catnip based on the exposure and
freshness of the plant. Leopards, cougars, servals, and lynxes are also known
to be triggered by the scent of catnip. Lions and tigers also react to the
scent but not as strong as the other felines. The effects of catnip can last
between 10-15 minutes, during which time the cat is noticeably excited. After
this period lapses, it can take another few hours for the cat's olfactory
senses to be reset to normal.
Is Catnip Safe?
Research
shows that catnip is very safe for cats to consume or play with. Cats cannot
become addicted to catnip and are only triggered by the scent of the herb. Cat
owners often get worried when their pet becomes erratic, which could probably
mean that your kitty is most likely sensitive to the scent. Catnip is best
suited for adult cats in the form of fresh catnip leaves or a catnip scented
toy. As cats become energetic after their exposure to catnip, this can help
your kitty stay active and healthy.
Catnip
is not entirely safe for pregnant kitties as the triggers may cause the cat to
become too excited and possibly injure itself. Research has also not provided
concrete evidence about the effects of catnip on a pregnant cat and whether any
effects could pass on to unborn kittens.
Catnip is a wonderful herb to bring some
excitement and playfulness to your kitty’s life. You can also opt to grow fresh
catnip in your garden to provide your kitty with the best entertainment.
