2006-12-22 17:22:03 · 16 answers · asked by pumpmar 2 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.
2006-12-22 18:01:50 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
It depends on your cats age... Kittens and young cats often do not respond to cat nip. They learn to love it as they get older. I have 3 cats and none of them were the slightest bit interested to cat nip up until they were about 2 years old. Now they can't get enough of it. Don't push it , just present it to them every 2 or 3 months and they should come around to liking catnip at one point... Or not... (I leave my cats toys in the catnip bag in the fridge, and take them out every now and then and they go crazy!!)
2006-12-22 22:05:51 · answer #2 · answered by stefanyt_charron 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all cats react to it. Some go crazy, some go to sleep, and some don't even like it. How old are your cats? It isn't good to give a cat under a year old cat-nip.
2006-12-22 17:27:34 · answer #3 · answered by idgerow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither do my cats.
About 30% of all cats have a genetic immunity against catnip and they will show no response. TIP: Try Valerium, either the fresh herb or a opened capsule. My cats love it!
2006-12-22 23:19:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is a species of mint. Not everyone likes mint, therefore not every cat likes catnip. I have read that female cats tend to be less responsive to catnip, but I have a girl cat and she goes nuts for it. Not everyone likes getting high, but my cat sure loves it. Maybe your cats are right wing republicans that hate having fun.
2006-12-22 17:27:56 · answer #5 · answered by NightTrainWooWoo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the variety of catnip is astounding.
Buy it fresh from a plant store and grow it yourself, it loves to grow in all weather, and cats love to get high on it in all weather.
I let it grow long, about two feet, snip off 5 stalks, dry them and then crush them up, the cats go silly and act higher than a kite, also I have noticed that they look very happy laying in the patch of it still growing in my garden, the bush is now smooched and the cats are smashed.
Too funny and they love it.
Never worked on the store bought stuff, only the very fresh.
Good luck and may your cats have the time of their lives.
merry catmas!
2006-12-22 18:54:26 · answer #6 · answered by wildmedicsue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all cats react to it the same. I have one that's really into it, and one that usually only reacts mildly.
Also, not all catnip is the same. It may be stale/old and not very potent.
2006-12-22 17:24:46 · answer #7 · answered by EQ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people are pot heads and other aren't. Some cats are nip heads and other aren't.
2006-12-22 17:25:21 · answer #8 · answered by jakesbell87 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 2 do the comparable as yours. If i rub it on their toys they roll on them, grab them and chew and lick them to dying. It would not cause them to hyper like some cats i've got heard of.
2016-10-18 21:51:44 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not all cats like it. maybe they prefer to just say no? are they adult cats? kittens don't like it, they have to be a bit older to appreciate the good stuff. then again, maybe you have a crappy brand of catnip?
2006-12-23 00:18:14 · answer #10 · answered by Gorilla Gal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋