Searching TheCatSite for this word brings up many threads – that’s how we found a number of the awesome photos during this article! – and that we even have quite few members with the word as a part of their username!
But why do cats am fond of it so much? How does catnip affect cats, and why? Is it safe for them? Let’s explore these questions and see if you must offer your cat the green stuff and howWhat Is Catnip?
Sometimes named as catmint, field balm, and even catswort, catnip may be a form of plant named herb. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family and also the Nepeta genus. If left to grow fully, catnip can develop cabbage butterfly or pink flowers with purple details.Otherwise, catnip has dark leaves that are rough texture and have a tendency to seem green or brown. you'll be able to find the plant in China, central Asia, the center East, and eastern and southern Europe. it's going to even be grown in North America, New Zealand, and geographical area.
What does catnip look like?
Catnip looks somewhat like mint. The catnip plant has jagged leaves and when in bloom, it's large clusters of flowers that appear as if tubular mouths along the highest length of the stem.What are the uses of catnip for humans?
People can use catnip in many ways. within the past, herbalists used catnip for medicinal purposes, although that’s not nearly as common in today’s advanced medical landscape. Instead, some people smoke it as a sort of herbal cigarette to calm themselves down. Others use the plant to garnish dishes with its herbal taste or make it into tea.
The nepetalactone within catnip will keep flies and mosquitoes cornered, in line with some people. Ironically, it’s this nepetalactone that cats love such a lot (we’ll talk more about this shortly). When distilled in steam, you'll be able to use catnip oil to bar termites and cockroaches. Catnip fans claim that it’s even better at combatting mosquitoes than diethyl-meta-toluamide or DEET. Also, catnip oil contains iridodial, which invites mite-eating lacewings. Butterflies also just like the compounds of catnip.
How Does Catnip Affect Cats?
The presence of nepetalactone activates the receptors within the cat’s olfactory epithelium (inner a part of the nose). Once this happens, the cat may get desperate to chew or lick the catnip. they'll also swipe it or nuzzle it, and your cat may even change posture and roll over several times additionally. It’s worth noting that cats probably don’t sense the smell of catnip through the vomeronasal organ (also called Jacobson’s organ).Do remember that some cats aren’t always so benevolent after they smell catnip. Catnip heightens anxiety in some felines, so your four-legged friend could appear more nervous than lovable during these moments. they will also bite or scratch you if you offer them catnip by hand. For that reason, it’s always best to put catnip on the ground or a toy and keep your hands away.To put it within the variety of an inventory, here are possible “symptoms” cats exhibit when under the influence of catnip –
Purring
Dilated pupils
Drooling
Behaviors like rolling within the catnip
Heightened anxiety
Aggression
Does Catnip Affect All Cats?
For all those insects that love catnip most, no other creature loves it over cats. Many species of cats – among them tigers, lions, lynxes, servals, cougars, and leopards additionally as our domestic cats – enjoy catnip.
Not every domestic Felis domesticus goes nuts for catnip either. A study from BMC Veterinary Research estimated that 33 percent of felines don’t look after catnip. Why? Another study, published during a Canadian veterinary journal, answers that question. It cites research from 1962, within which 26 Siamese breeding cats during a colony got catnip to determine how or if they’d respond. The conclusion was that some cats have a gene that creates them react to catnip. in line with that study, a selected factor dictates whether a cat goes crazy for catnip. meaning that if one amongst the cat’s parents enjoyed catnip, so will the offspring.
More recent research from 2011 suggests there is also several genes at play. Both studies do agree that genetic background will play a task in whether cats look after catnip. If you'll trace your cat’s lineage and find that their parents didn’t like catnip, then chances are high that your cat won’t either.
The genetic tendency also affects a cat’s sensitivity for bush honeysuckle wood (Lonicera tatarica), silver vine (Actinidia polygama), and valerian root (Valeriana officinalis), all of which have similar properties to catnip.
Why Does Catnip Not Affect Kittens?
If you've got a kitten, you would possibly have thought it'd be fun to treat him or her to some catnip. This experiment are going to be the small furball’s first time enjoying the treat, so you’re excited. you create an enormous spectacle of introducing the catnip to your kitty.Alas, no response. you are attempting and check out to urge the kitten interested, but it just doesn’t happen. Why not?
Is this thanks to hereditary factors like those mentioned above? is that this something you must agonize about?
Before you panic and prematurely schedule a vet appointment, you must know that almost all kittens don’t get too enthused about catnip in their infancy. Pam Johnson-Bennett, a cat behavioral expert, says that if your kitten is three months old or younger, they'll be uninterested and even disgusted by catnip. They’re too young to possess any kind of reaction, and you’ll need to wait until they’re a minimum of six months old then try again.
Kittens aren’t the sole ones who don’t necessarily reply to catnip or seem to own only a passing interest. The older your cat gets, the more their desire to possess catnip wanes. Also, cats of any age can become gradually less suffering from catnip if you provides it to all of them the time. Johnson-Bennett recommends limiting exposure to one time weekly and no over that.
Is Catnip Safe for Cats?
When you give your kitty catnip, you’re merely exposing them to ground-down parts of the catnip plant, like the stems or leaves (the flowers, as pretty as they're, don't seem to be often employed in producing commercial catnip for cats). In moderate use, catnip is safe for your cat to own. whether or not they happen to nibble and swallow some leaves, it shouldn’t have any ill effect on them.
Can an excessive amount of catnip kill a cat?
You should remember that kitty catnip overdoses are a clear stage, though. These certainly don’t happen often, but they will. Now, when a cat overdoses on this particular substance, it are often scary for humans, but not such a lot for our feline friends.An overdose in cat terms is simply after they ingest an excessive amount of catnip to the purpose of it resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. it'll not kill them. Pennsylvania veterinarian Dr. Shelby Neely says that cats are unlikely to overdose on catnip because they appear to sense after they have had enough.
This may not be true of all cats, though. Some felines will take the maximum amount catnip as you’re willing to grant them. the simplest thanks to avoid a catnip overdose then is to limit the quantities of the catnip you offer. If you are doing happen to grant your cat an excessive amount of catnip accidentally, there’s no must panic. Most cats who have diarrhea and vomiting from a catnip overdose will tend to recover just fine reception with a touch rest. However, when doubtful, call your veterinarian. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
How to Add Catnip to Your Cat’s Life
If your cat is a minimum of six months old, then you'll and will make catnip a weekly a part of their life. Not only does it help the 2 of you bond, but some experts even use it as a way of controlling behavior. Pam Johnson-Bennett, as an example, suggests adding catnip if you're having many of us over to your home, and your cat is usually scared of new guests. The plant will calm them down and stop anxietyYou may use catnip to have interaction your cat live, which is useful if they’re not exceptionally playful the other time. If your cat isn’t taking to a brand new scratching post, bed, or another accessory, applying catnip to the item will attract their interest.Keep in mind that catnip affects cats in many ways. Some cats can become anxious and even aggressive when stimulated by catnip, so don’t use it when introducing a replacement pet or the other situation where your cat may already be stressed.If you’re inquisitive about adding catnip to your cat’s life, you have got several ways within which you'll be able to do so. you may favor to grow catnip, use dried catnip pieces, or put catnip during a toy.How to Grow Fresh Catnip For Your Cat
If you wish to grow your catnip, you absolutely can. Many gardeners favor catnip due to the wealth of insects it brings in. you'll be able to also use it for decorative purposes within the garden. Even better is that the catnip plant doesn't need heaps of watering, and it'll survive even in drought conditions. It does thrive best when it gets lots of sunlight, though.
To start your catnip garden, use fertile soil (or add nutrients to the soil as needed). Then, plant your seeds with a distance of a minimum of 18 inches between them, 24 inches if you'll. take care you prune the flower buds and stems as they seem. Timely pruning will allow the catnip to grow to its full potential. Another handy tip for letting the catnip thrive? Keep it faraway from your kitty until you’re pleased with your catnip harvest.
If you're concerned about outdoor cats aiming to the catnip before you'll cut it and produce it inside, you would possibly want to do erecting a loose chicken-wire fence round the perimeter of your garden. A fence will deter most cats from getting access to the plant unless your feline could be a big jumper.
Dry Catnip
If you’d rather not give your cat an immediate catnip plant to gnaw on and play with, that’s understandable. Many cat owners prefer catnip in its dried form. These leaves are still the plant you’re wont to, and as long as you keep on with organic catnip, there aren't any other added ingredients. Unlike our fruit, vegetables, and herbs, catnip isn’t subject to inspections, so the non-organic versions could also be sprayed too liberally with pesticide. If you employ catnip for your cat often, it’s probably better to induce a reputable brand of organic catnip.
If you would like to dry catnip, you've got two options. you'll grow your own per the instructions above, otherwise you should purchase fresh catnip. Once you have got some, cut a healthy-looking sprig of the things. Avoid trimming as many leaves as you'll therefore the plant may grow even more once de-rooted. Next, grab some squares of towel and place your catnip there. Bend each towel corner to form atiny low barrier round the catnip. All you have got to try and do now's set your microwave and let it warm up over two minutes.
Don’t be surprised if your cats start going nuts, because the smell of catnip will spread round the house. you'll be able to use an air freshener if your cats have gotten too excited. Otherwise, wait about half-hour for the smell to dissipate. For added freshness, store the unused catnip during a jar. You then have dried catnip able to give to your kitties any time you would like to.
