Why Cats Love Catnip
Cats are obligate carnivores: they have to eat meat and meat-based food to stay healthy. On occasion, they do nibble various grasses and plants. One plant that cats are famously fond of is Cat Mint, also called Catnip. They’ll eat it, paw at it, roll in it, jump on it: anything seems to go! So just why are cats so fond of this plant?
Nepeta cataria
Cat Mint, known in Latin as Nepeta cataria, is a perennial herb. The leaves are triangular and the small fragrant flowers can be pink or white, with tiny pale purple spots. Although short-lived, its prettiness and fragrance have ensured that it remains a popular garden plant.
What makes Cat Mint special is that it contains the chemical Nepetalactone in its leaves and stems. This volatile oil is very attractive to cats and other felines, as it interacts with the nasal tissues in a way that replicates the effects of various pheromones.
Effects
The effects of catnip on felines have been compared to the effects of marijuana or LSD on humans. Upon smelling Nepetalactone, a cat may show several different behaviours quite similar to those of a female cat on heat, such as rubbing their heads and bodies on the plant (rubbing the plant helps to release more of the Nepetalactone), rolling around, drooling, and meowing. The cat may seem drunk and sedate, but some cats react by becoming very active and playful. If the cat chooses to eat the catnip, they will probably become very relaxed and sedate, similar to a “stoned” human.
The main effects last for about 10 minutes, then the cat will probably relax for about half an hour before perhaps going back to sniff the plant again.
Catnip has been tested on domestic cats and on wild cats such as servals, leopards, pumas, and tigers. Only 70 to 80% of cats show a reaction to Cat Mint, and this seems to be hereditary. Kittens are not affected by the plant until they reach sexual maturity at around six months old.
Safety
Is Cat Mint safe for cats? Research shows that it is. It seems that cats cannot overdose on catnip: the worst that will happen is that cat vomiting a little or having diarrhoea. Although its effects may remind one of marijuana, catnip carries none of the dangers associated with the former.
Be aware that very occasionally, a few cats may show aggressive behaviour after taking catnip; especially unneutered males. Monitor your cat and avoid giving them Cat Mint if it makes them aggressive.
Interestingly, it only has the sedative/stimulant effect on cats: in humans, while it has some useful health benefits such as relieving cramps, it cannot be used as a recreational drug.
Catnip is perfectly safe to offer to your cat. You can use it as a reward when training your cat (for example, litter tray training or harness training), or to help an anxious cat relax. Cat Mint can also help cats to avoid hairballs, though eating any fresh grass is useful to preventing hairballs. There are many catnip products, including cat toys, available on the market. You can also try to grow the fresh plant, though a very keen cat may destroy the plant by rolling on it.
