Why Do Cats Love Catnip So Much?
March 9, 2021
Long used in herbal medicine to cure a number of ailments in humans, catnip contains a class of essential oils that can have euphoric effects on your cat. So if you want to make your cat happy and feel good, give them catnip.
Deriving from the mint family, catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a perennial plant with many names such as catmint, catwort and field balm. Before it became popular in cat toys and sprays, catnip was used to relieve everything from hives and headaches to rheumatism, asthma and pain.
The magic ingredient is an essential oil called Nepetalactone, which makes up 70-99% of the plant’s stimulating properties and acts as a repellent for parasites and insects. Cats love to eat the plant and rub themselves in the foliage. Studies have shown that its euphoric effects can alter the behaviour of domestic cats as well as wilder, bigger cats and other mammals and insects:
“The response to catnip is characterized by sniffing, then licking and chewing with head shaking, followed by chin and cheek rubbing and then a headover roll and body rubbing. Spontaneous vocalization occurs occasionally and has been interpreted as a response to hallucinations.” (Catnip: Its uses and effects, past and present, Jeff Grognet 1990).
Only about two-thirds of cats (including lions and tigers and ocelots) will respond to the effects of catnip. It is determined by genetics and hereditary genes and has nothing to do with the breed or colour of your cat. So don’t be surprised if your cat turns their nose up at it.
Most kittens under the age of 6 months will also not react to catnip, so save your dollars for catnip toys when they’re a bit older.
Catnip makes a great training tool for your cat and can be easily purchased in spray form. This makes it easy to apply to scratch pads and other areas of the house where you want to lure your cat to.
Catnip is not the same as cat grass, which is used as a digestive aid and a good source of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
Catnip is easy to grow if you want to plant some in your garden or out on your balcony. All you need is a little sunshine and water to get seeds started. Some garden nurseries will sell catnip, which will give you a good start. Just be aware that the leaves are the part of the plant that produces a calming effect; the root of the plant has the opposite effect and can bring about aggressive, playful behaviour:
“If the root is chewed it will make the most quiet person fierce and quarrelsome." (Grognet 1990).
The euphoria your cat feels from catnip will last only about 10 minutes, but it will stay in the body for a total of two hours. Which means, your cat needs a couple of hours before they can enjoy a little more of the stimulating plant.