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Catnip is a plant that can have a profound, though temporary, effect on cats. It can improve your feline friend's life, and it can be a useful training tool. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about the use of catnip. Here are answers to questions that you may have about this enigmatic herb and how to give it to your pet.
What Exactly Is Catnip?
Catnip is a member of the mint family, related to herbs such as oregano and basil. Like many of its botanical relatives, catnip is an aromatic plant with a light, slightly sweet scent which is pleasant to humans as well.
Like other herbs, catnip contains an essential oil in its stems, seeds, and leaves. The oil contains a chemical called nepetalactone that stimulates a cat's olfactory sense. This works on a cat's nervous system to trigger a short-acting but intense sense of euphoria. It is possible to extract the essential oil from catnip, which is a main ingredient in many pet care products for kitties, such as cat treats.
How Does Catnip Affect Cats?
Kitties in a catnip-induced state of euphoria can behave in different ways. Many cats become mellow and relaxed under the influence of catnip. If you have a cat who suffers from anxiety, catnip may be a good way to calm her down.
However, other cats may become more active and playful when exposed to catnip. This extra activity and energy may result in aggressive behavior. Some cats are more likely to bite or scratch other members of the household while affected by catnip. Therefore, before you make catnip a regular part of your kitty's routine, you should observe her behavior after you give it to her to see how it affects her.
Do All Cats Like Catnip?
Catnip has been known to affect big cats, such as lions and tigers, as well as domestic cats. However, it doesn't have the same effect on all felines.
Whether catnip will affect your kitty depends on genetics. A majority of cats, anywhere from one-half to two-thirds, are sensitive to catnip and react in some way to it. The remainder of the cat population is genetically resistant to catnip, and it has no appreciable effects on them.
Is It All Right for Cats To Eat Catnip?
If you put a little dried catnip on the floor for your kitty, she may lick up the leaves and flowers and even swallow them. Catnip doesn't hurt cats if they swallow it, so there is no need to try to prevent them from eating it.
How Long Do the Effects of Catnip Last?
Once you give catnip to your kitty, the effects should last about 15 minutes. After that, catnip won't affect your cat again for at least another two hours.
Does Catnip Hurt Cats?
Catnip itself has no long-term harmful effects on cats. However, it is a good idea to give your pets only organically grown catnip because any lingering pesticide residue could potentially harm cats.
Is Catnip Like a Drug for Cats?
The effects of catnip can be compared to those of a drug. However, unlike many substances that humans take recreationally, catnip does not have any harmful side effects.
How Do You Give Your Pet Catnip?
Catnip is an ingredient in several cat products, such as treats and sprays. There are also toys infused with catnip. You can also use catnip essential oil or just sprinkle a little catnip on the floor.
Another option is a refillable toy that you can put catnip in yourself. This can be handy because then you control the amount of catnip inside it.
How Often Should You Give Your Pet Catnip?
You shouldn't give your pet catnip more than once a day. More frequent exposure to catnip won't hurt him, but it could dull his sensitivity to it so it no longer affects him the same way. For this reason, you shouldn't leave catnip toys just lying around.
Can You Give Catnip to Kittens?
You can give catnip to kittens who are at least 3 months old. Giving it to younger kittens won't hurt them, but it won't have any effect on them, and it may blunt their sensitivity to it as they get older.
How Can You Use Catnip as a Training Tool?
You can use catnip to attract your kitty to toys and furniture that you want him to use. For example, a new pet bed or scratcher often smells like the pet store where it was sold, which may not be very enticing. Sprinkle or rub a little catnip on it, and it may become much more attractive to your kitty. You can then reward your cat with praise and treats to encourage the behavior you want.
Can You Grow Your Own Catnip?
You can grow your own catnip in a garden or a planter inside the house. There are kits to help you grow your own catnip at home.
Is Dried or Fresh Catnip Better?
Fresh and dried catnip each have advantages and disadvantages. Fresh catnip has higher nepetalactone levels but may wilt more quickly. If you don't grow your own, you may have difficulty sourcing it at some times of the year. Dried catnip has lower nepetalactone levels but is easier to store and has a longer shelf life. It is the more convenient option and is always available for sale.
When used judiciously, catnip can give your pet a boost in mood, while helping you encourage behaviors that you want your cat to adopt. Just be careful not to give your kitty too much of a good thing.
