What exactly does catnip do? And how are you supposed to use it or give it to the cat?

Question

I am not sure what it does to cats, and I am not sure of how I should give it to my cats....Do I just lay some of it down and let them eat it? or what?

I have toys that have it in it, but how do they get the effects of it like that? By the smell? I thought that they had to digest it?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

I put some in an old sock and tied the end... The cats just play with the sock, or sometimes only sit on it. My sister's cat eats catnip, and then gets really weird and eventualy paranoid for about half an hour -- makes sense, as some people call catnip "kitty marajuana."

Answer 3

catnip has an oil in it that makes it smell similar to a female cat in heat. it makes cats... well, i just know that it works more on male cats than the females. you can let them eat it since it isn't poisonious. if you put some in a toy the cat may find that toy more appealing to play with. however, the effect of the catnip depends on your cat.

Answer 4

Catnip acts like a stimulate. Its actually an herb that can be grown. Hightens their senses. You can sprinkle it on the floor and most times they will lick it and or roll in it. Dont leave all of it out cause they can and will make a mess with it. Sometimes they wont eat it but they will definitely roll in it. She/he will become more playful. They do have toys that can be used with it. Either cloth ones or rubber ones that you can actually put some inside it for them to play with.

Answer 5

Catnip can be found in toys for cats. You can also sew it up into fabric. They will rub all over it. In my opinion it is like a drug for cats. Similar to "feel good" drugs for people. Personally there are better ways to stimulate your cats than to offer them something like this even if it is safe.

Answer 6

catnip usually does the trick but keep the post where the cat likes to scratch the most

Answer 7

I gave my cats dried and crumbled catnip, and poured some on the floor. One liked to eat it, and one liked to roll around in it. It makes cats drunk, and they love it.

Mine never liked the catnip in the toys, they liked it loose. I also had catnip plants in my garden, and they liked to nibble on the leaves of it.

Answer 8

Put it on their toys the box should have instructions on it. Some cats its doesn't affect some it does. Its like kitty crack for mine they get all crazy and run around the house then they sleep for hours.

Answer 9

I like to put it on my cats' scratchers... the corrugated ones that lay flat, not the posts. Both cats get really happy and mellow. One eats it, and the other rubs his face in it and drools and just plain gets high, LOL.

Answer 10

put some in a sock and tie the sock in a knot they do not eat it they smell it gets them high its hilarious and perfectly safe they will play with the sock