2006-12-16 10:32:27 · 13 answers · asked by nilafied 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Hi there ...catnip is great treat for all cats. Every cat responds differently to catnip. Some cats find it makes them feel euphoric and others angry. However, very young kittens may not respond to it until they are little older if they possess the gene for it.
CATNIP: (Nepeta cataria--also part of the mint family of plants) contains a substance called cis-transnepetalactone which when inhaled or eaten is thought to be hallucinogenic through the stimulation of centres in the brain--it gives some cats a europhoric high. Not all cats are responsive to catnip and here's why:
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.
2006-12-16 16:33:37 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 9⤊ 1⤋
Catnip is a smell that attracts cats, and seems to fascinate them. Not harmful as far as I know
2006-12-16 18:37:16 · answer #2 · answered by birdman1890 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
It's a drug, sends them on a deffinate high and gets them all excited
Some cats are unaffected though.
2006-12-16 18:34:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
I got a toy 4 my cat and she played with it,smelled it a lot, she was happy as ever!
2006-12-16 19:18:35 · answer #4 · answered by krysta_joy 1 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Make them act like a dude on crack thats been up for 3 days
2006-12-16 18:34:08 · answer #5 · answered by Crissy 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
it doesn't do a darn thing for my 4 cats
2006-12-16 18:53:57 · answer #6 · answered by cutiepie81289 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
makes em crazy
2006-12-16 18:33:36 · answer #7 · answered by Crystal ♥'s Raymond 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It make them high as a kite. Making them do weird stuff, that in some causes may get them killed.
2006-12-16 18:35:25 · answer #8 · answered by Jeremy© ® ™ 5 · 1⤊ 6⤋
umm not sure but they just lay or roll around in it.
2006-12-16 18:34:11 · answer #9 · answered by gymmonkeyrox 1 · 3⤊ 3⤋
It's a kitty cocktail.
2006-12-16 18:55:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 13⤊ 0⤋