Do cats get high when they sniff cat nip?
2006-11-04 09:52:52 · 6 answers · asked by b r 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Ironically the cats love the smell but hate the taste of it. That's why they often rub it to release the oils that smell. It does intoxicate them but be careful it is harmful in large doses. The effect they feel is simular to being high or drunk.
2006-11-04 10:03:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
First, see http://www.catsinternational.org/articles/fun_for_cats/catnip_fun_or_dangerous.html for the above answer. That is called plagiarism!
Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a labiate (family Lamiaceae or Labiatae), a relative of rosemary, thyme, sage and other herbs. Many labiates have medicinal properties.
Among other substances, catnip contains specific lactones that are responsible for its effects on cats. The behavior of the animals has suggested that they experience hallucinations, so yes, they do get high.
However, these chemical compounds are metabolized by the cats and don't have permanent effects nor damage them.
Not all cats react to catnip (it's an hereditary trait), and young kittens are not affected.
Here's a link with more info, including the medicinal use of catnip in humans (it's a pdf and it takes a while to load):
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1480656&blobtype=pdf
2006-11-04 18:59:59 · answer #2 · answered by Calimecita 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nepetalactone is an unsaturated lactone that does for some cats what marijuana does for some people. Cats take off on a ten minute "trip" during which they appear to be in a state of ecstasy, rubbing and rolling on the plant. All species of cats react in this way, even lions, but not every individual reacts to it. The deciding factor is genetic. Fifty to sixty percent of adult cats show a reaction to catnip. For the first two months of life kittens are repelled by catnip. The positive or neutral response does not appear until they are three months old.
Scientists have not determined how or why the chemical substance in catnip affects cats. They assert that it does no lasting damage and that after the catnip "trip" the cat is back to normal with no ill effects. Valerian and Canadian Honeysuckle are plants that produce similar behaviors in cats.
Catnip is 100% safe in any dose.
2006-11-04 18:03:18 · answer #3 · answered by michael m 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It smells like sage brush and alfalfa and my parents cats have went crazy with both.
2006-11-04 18:03:27 · answer #4 · answered by gregory_dittman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've wondered this also, but it seems to really make them feel good. I use it to cheer them up occasionally.
Hope you get an answer.
2006-11-04 18:02:03 · answer #5 · answered by Shotsie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it gives them a "high" feeling sort of like when humans drink alcohol or smoke pot.
2006-11-04 18:00:21 · answer #6 · answered by rivkadacat 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋