i sorta understand its like a drug for cats. but do they eat it? snort it? tell me everything you know!
2006-08-29 08:34:41 · 26 answers · asked by ƎIΝΟƆ 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
"Catnip" is the common name for a perennial herb of the mint family. It is native to Europe and is an import to the United States and other countries. The catnip plant is now a widespread weed in North America.
Given to the right cat, 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. For example, there are many scents that will trigger intense hunting behavior in dogs, and other scents will cause dogs to stop in their tracks and roll all over the scent.
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 the chemical. The catnip reaction is inherited, and some cats are totally unaffected by it. Large cats like tigers can be sensitive to it as well.
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. Very young kittens and older cats seem less likely to have a reaction to catnip.
2006-08-29 08:45:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Catnip is like an herb, it has the same effect as people smoking weed. It gives the cat a "high" and they become addicted to it. Cats can either chew on the leaves or actually Inhale the dust when the catnip is dry.
2006-08-29 08:46:52 · answer #2 · answered by whitsky2001 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Also known as catmint, or nepeta cataria, the oil in it attracts cats and makes them euphoric at first, so they purr lots and roll around in it. Some cats eat it too. Depending on how much they get, they may go hyper and chase each other or play with toys etc, or if they get a lot they might start dribbling and take a snooze. When they come down they tend to be a bit tetchy for a while.
2006-08-29 08:46:57 · answer #3 · answered by hedgewizard 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is a common plant, a member of the mint family. Grows well and invasively in your garden.
It's not a drug, I don't think marijuana is either. Cats like to roll in it and get it all over their bodies. They will eat a little too, and probably get some up their noses too.
2006-08-29 08:45:09 · answer #4 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is a herb. My cats like the natural stuff that you can get in a tub. They eat it and rub in it and get all stoned out on it. Then they will freak and run around the house acting crazy.
2006-08-29 08:39:36 · answer #5 · answered by hbennett76 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is from the mint family. It is totally safe for cats to eat. My cats love to eat it and roll around in it and chew on any toy that its in. It gives them a high but I'm not exactly sure why. So go ahead and give it to your cat and watch the hilarity ensue!!!!
Here's some more facts....
http://vetmedicine.about.com/cs/obedcat/a/catcatnip.htm
http://www.provet.co.uk/petfacts/healthtips/catnip.htm
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/83/8331catnip.html
2006-08-29 08:40:14 · answer #6 · answered by Coo coo achoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a herb. The leaves are dried and crushed and your cat eats it. It makes them high and it can be very damaging if they have it often. Sounds a bit like alcohol in humans, doesn't it? Catnip has other uses refer to this site. http://www.herbindex.net/catnip.html
2006-08-29 08:43:26 · answer #7 · answered by Lynn K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cat nip is kinda like hemp for people. They sniff it and smell it and it makes them high. It is so funny watching a cat that is on a high they get crazy and they love to play with shiny strips tied to the end of a pole when they are on there catnip high.
2006-08-29 08:40:44 · answer #8 · answered by sisinlovewithyou 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a herb, and cats love to eat it, roll in it...and most, but not all cats seem to love it and it gets them excited...I dont knowif its sexual for a cat or what...but its a lot of fun to watch cats get off on catnip...use it sparingly though.
2006-08-29 08:38:02 · answer #9 · answered by cbmaclean 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I call it kitty crack.
Its a plant thats part of the mint family.
cats go mental when they eat it of sniff it.
my cat goes nuts and rolls around in it and then runs up and down the stairs for about a half hour and then zonks out.
2006-08-29 08:44:07 · answer #10 · answered by chefzilla65 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋