2006-07-11 11:45:17 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Yes, but unlike drugs in people, it's not addictive and won't cause health problems. Kittens don't react to it until they're older (although I can't remember what age exactly) and about a third of adult cats never develope a sensitivity to catnip at all.
2006-07-11 12:06:38 · answer #1 · answered by Melanie Mue 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't affect all cats the same way. My cats couldn't care less about it but my kid sister's cats run full tilt into glass doors after they had a couple of whiffs of the stuff. Other cats seem to sleep after they play with it for any length of time.
Here's what the experts say: "Catnip" is the common name for an herb related to mint. It is a widespread weed in North America.
Given to the some cats, catnip can cause an amazing reaction! The cat will rub it, roll over it, kick at it, and generally go nuts for several minutes. Then the cat will lose interest and walk away. Two hours later, the cat may come back and have exactly the same response.
Because there really isn't any scent that causes this sort of reaction in humans, catnip is hard for us to understand. However, it is not an uncommon behavior in animals that rely heavily on their noses. Although no one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain, it is known that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the response. Apparently, it somehow kicks off a stereotypical pattern in cats that are sensitive to that chemical. The reaction to catnip only lasts a few minutes. Then the cat acclimates to it, and it can take an hour or two away from catnip for the cat to "reset." Then, the same reaction can occur again. The catnip reaction is inherited, and some cats are totally unaffected by it. Very young kittens and older cats seem less likely to have a reaction to catnip. But even the "big" cats like tigers can be sensitive to it.
2006-07-11 12:05:37 · answer #2 · answered by hickcrazy1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does.. I think it is fun to watch a cat that has been given cat nip
2006-07-11 20:05:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Don't give it to young kittens its not good for them. Start around 3 or 4. Take it away after a minute or two. Remember it not the best thing for them. Supervise you cat(s) while they have it, they may get hurt.
2006-07-11 11:53:01 · answer #4 · answered by ♥Live♥Laugh♥Love♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it doesn't there is certainly something wrong with my cat. Everytime he goes near the stuff he seems to be high.
2006-07-11 11:48:27 · answer #5 · answered by Samantha J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i had a cat when i was a kid and everytime she had catnip she would fall over on her side and use her back legs to spin herself around in circles on the floor. like some twisted kitty break-dancing thing.
2006-07-11 11:49:18 · answer #6 · answered by sparkydog_1372 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it does and it will cause mood swings in your cat. Such as be playfull or fight.
2006-07-11 11:48:04 · answer #7 · answered by auntkarendjjb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is like caffeine for them.
2006-07-11 11:49:09 · answer #8 · answered by Justbeingme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Intoxicated, which either means high or drunk.
2006-07-11 11:50:12 · answer #9 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, it sure made me hig- ........ nevermind GOTTA GO!!!
2006-07-11 11:48:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋