2006-08-17 11:33:53 · 17 answers · asked by jm 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi JM...there are two possible explanations for why your cat is not responsive to catnip (or for why you think he is not):
1. Reaction to catnip is genetic (see last paragraph). Cats must possess a gene for it. While most cats do, about 15 percent reportedly do not. Kittens, whether they possess the gene or not, generally do not react to catnip until they are from six to nine months old. Try reintroducing the catnip then and you will probably find that your cat will greatly enjoy it. If your cat is an adult, you may have one of the few adult cats that do not possess the gene.
2. Inferior quality catnip. Many other catnip brands are "cut" with straw, stems and other filler. This may fool the cat owner, but it doesn't fool kitty! Try some Certified Organic Catnip or fresh Catnip.
It's not known why the reaction to catnip seems to occur only among the feline species. What is known is that the ability to react to catnip is a genetic one. Cats that react to catnip possess a gene that programs them to react to catnip. The gene does not develop until after six months of age or so, and not ALL cats possess the gene. About 15 percent of the cat population does not possess the gene, so this may explain why your cat does not react. If they do possess the gene, cats of all sizes - from housecats, cheetahs, mountain lions, pumas, etc. - will love catnip.
2006-08-17 11:49:03 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Could be the catnip is old and stale, that there is not enough of it to make it worth his while, or he may just have different tastes than other cats. Some cats just don't care about it much. Don't count on the stuff that comes in some toys being any good. Buy some good catnip and sprinkle plenty on the floor and see if he's interested.
2006-08-17 18:42:26 · answer #2 · answered by happymom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The catnip in the toys is usually old and stale.
Go to a real pet store and buy a bag of catnip and a cardboard scratcher. Pour the catnip all over the scratcher surface.. Guarantee you'll see a difference.
Some of those scratchers even come with catnip.
My mother tried to grow catnip in our garden, but the cats would roll all over the plants and kill them lol.
2006-08-17 18:39:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some cats just don't like catnip, like some people don't like certain types of foods. My cat also doesn't care for catnip.
2006-08-17 18:40:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats don't have the gene, or whatever it is, that responds to catnip. It's a small percentage, but it does happen. Also, kittens under six months generally don't respond to catnip either.
2006-08-17 18:39:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have six cats and none of them react to catnip very much. Here I thought we could have little Saturday night "pot parties" around here -- what a disappoinment. The catnip doesn't do a thing for me either.
2006-08-17 20:11:37 · answer #6 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had two kittens that didnt care for catnip either. They liked toys that made noise when they batted at it.
2006-08-17 18:40:24 · answer #7 · answered by Kristin Pregnant with #4 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get just the catnip and put it on a skratch board he will love it then.He just might not like the toys that much.
2006-08-17 18:40:18 · answer #8 · answered by Crystal Y 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try getting some new catnip and if he still dosnt go for it, I guesse he dosn't like cat crack!
2006-08-17 18:40:47 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My persian is the same way. He could not care less about catnip. It must be genetic.
2006-08-17 18:40:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋