The What's and Where's of the Nip
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Catnip is in the mint family, and considered an herb
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Native to Europe and imported to the United States, Canada and other countries
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The plant is drought-tolerant and deer-resistant
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The chemical, Nepetalactone, found in the plant to be a stimulant to cats, is also a natural mosquito and fly repellent
It’s all in the genes
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Male cats are more often attracted to catnip than female cats
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Catnip is a feline attractant that has a genetic component
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About ⅓ of cats lack the gene, meaning these kitties show no response to catnip
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Wild cats like cougars, leopards, servals, and bobcats also respond to catnip
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Lions and tigers are less consistent at reacting to catnip
To sniff or not to sniff, maybe to eat.
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Most cats react to catnip through inhalation
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Inhaled catnip has a stimulating and euphoric effect
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Ingested catnip tends to have more of a calming effect
Common Concerns for Kitty Parents
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Cats cannot overdose on catnip
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The response lasts about 10 - 15 minutes
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After exposure it takes about 2 hours to reset and be able to be stimulated by catnip again
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Catnip is not addictive
What are some other plants that are like catnip?
Valerian Root
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Acts as a stimulant for cats
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Cats that are not affected by catnip, often are excited about valerian root
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The smell is often described as smelly socks
Silvervine
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Effects generally last from 5 - 30 minutes
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Contains two cat attractant chemicals, as opposed to catnip’s one chemical stimulant
Honeysuckle
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Honeysuckle aroma is stronger than catnip, so great for cats struggling with their sense of smell
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Honeysuckle berries, flowers, and leaves are toxic to kitties, they should only get the wood parts of the plant
