I got him a bed with a pouch of catnip in it. He flipped it over so he was on his back and dug his claws and teeth into it and rolled over and over. He was practically trying to tear the thing open. Then suddenly he totally loses interest in it and lays down on my chair. I want him to use the bed ...
2006-09-11 07:22:12 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
The pleasure factor in catnip is the chemical compound nepetalactone, which seems to have a mildly hallucinogenic effect on cats. Nepetalactone is similar to a chemical found in the urine of female cats, and this may be why unneutered males have stronger reactions to catnip than females and neutered males. Some speculate that nepetalactone stimulates the region of a cat's brain associated with sexual behavior.
Feline catnip addicts are lucky though, because they suffer absolutely no side effects from this, unlike humans do when they smoke cannabis, a "kissing cousin" to catnip. Catnip is not the only plant to have this effect on felines. VALERIAN is another one, plus plants that contain ACTINIDINE.
For the catnip-loving cat, sniffing this herb is harmless and non-addictive
2006-09-11 07:31:10 · answer #1 · answered by livingdeadgirl 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is harmless to cats. Keep putting him back in the bed and he will probably start to stay there. I don't understand why there would be a catnip pouch in a bed cause cat nip makes them high and makes them play and if it's a bed it would make more sense to want to cat to calm down rather than get all crazy. Can you remove the pouch and just give it to him on the occasions when it's not time for bed? Hope you figure something out. Good luck.
2006-09-11 14:43:26 · answer #2 · answered by Turtle 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is a very positive thing for cats. Before we started harvesting and packaging little packets to give to our pet pusses, cats had access to this herb in the wild and they would feed on it to aid in digestion. What most of us don't realize is that with repeated exposure (as in, daily, probably) the "hyper" affect that cats get can taper off a bit. It's kind of the same concept as a drug addict needing a larger dose each time to get the "high" affect. If your cat has never been exposed to catnip before, it explains his strong playful reaction. I try not to give my kitties too much, because I like to see them act crazy and I think they have fun. But, you have the right idea to have catnip in the bed. The more he is around it, the catnip will act to lure him toward the bed. He will get that pleasurable sensation and will be attracted to the bed. Eventually he will probably lay in it as you want instead of trying to tear it open :) Catnip can be a good training mechanism. They don't even know they're being manipulated! I hope this makes sense, and good luck!
2006-09-11 14:59:15 · answer #3 · answered by Missouri LitWit 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some cats have those reactions to the catnip... it definitely stimulates them to play. In time, the smell will fade and he'll probably settle down on the bed.
Although, cat's can be tricky. My cat won't sleep on any bed we give her, she prefers to sleep on a chair or the rug. You can't count on them to agree to the sleeping arrangements you make for them! That's life with a cat.
2006-09-11 14:26:35 · answer #4 · answered by Cara M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some cats like catnip and some do not. It is an individual thing. I don't think the stores would sell the cat nip IF it were a bad thing.
A cat sleeps where it pleases. Cats do like the window sill if you have one. They lie there and look out the window.
2006-09-11 15:01:58 · answer #5 · answered by Pepsi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a vet and catnip is not harmful to your can the cat give about a tbls at a time your cat may act drunk / some like they are in heat / wild / then calm / stoned / and or all of the above. and cats love it and love to play while on the nips.
2006-09-11 14:29:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
catnip is like dessert, eventually your cat will begin to like the bed. give him time. The bed just smells new, it will soon smell like catnip and he will come to soon love that bed...that when you do want to get him out of the bed, you will have to flip the bed over with your cat in it to get him out. lol
2006-09-12 10:52:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is like pot for cats. He might not sleep in the bed right away but he will.
2006-09-11 14:27:46 · answer #8 · answered by slanteyedkat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is not harmful to cats. My cats love catnip and roll around in it. It's hilarious.
2006-09-11 15:08:36 · answer #9 · answered by allisonsmith6980 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes,it is good for the cats but only now n' then as it gets them ''hyper'',,,that's why they get active and roll all over the place with the stuff. we have a small patch of the stuff growing in the backyard and the neighborhood cats love it..they come,,sniff it,,and then roll and play like crazy until they tire of it.but i do know of one lady that couldn't give her cat any to play with because her cat had a bad heart,,,,,,
2006-09-11 14:29:43 · answer #10 · answered by ggmsixer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋