My cat is only 3 years old and very lazy, I brought her some Catnip spray to go on her toys to encourage play. Unfortunately when she sniffs it she pulls the most awful face, like she is about to throw up. Why is this? Does anyone have any other ideas of how to encourage play?
Many thanks.
2006-12-23 08:28:00 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Catnip spray and catnip bubbles never work. My cat was scared of both. The best catnip is always the original type, because it is a lot stronger those liquid catnips.
2006-12-23 12:39:10 · answer #1 · answered by K 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually cats love catnip, but it certainly doesn't affect all cats the same.
If she LOVES treats/food try making her work for it. Make getting her food a game like she has to find it or climb to get it. If you have a cat tree, try putting it up high so that she has to climb to get it. Also, watch the portions she eats. Some cats will eat EVERYTHING in the bowl no matter how much it is. Also, it is possible that the breed of cat influences these lazy manners.
With treats, try the same thing as with the food. Make her have to search for it. Also, try some new toys, not like go get her some more...but a variety...like if she has never had feather or jingly toys, get her a couple and see if that's all it was(that she was just bored).
Another possibility is to take her on walks. Not necessarily outside, but just around the house.
Good luck!
2006-12-23 16:38:19 · answer #2 · answered by CC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there...Every cat responds differently to catnip and your kitty may the small percentage of cats who are not attracted to it's effects.
(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.
2006-12-23 16:45:14 · answer #3 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is a very pungent herb and its a old wise tale that cats love catnip. It has an attraction that most cats like, but like some people can wear a certain type of perfume and on others it smells aw full, the same is the smell of catnip to some moggies.
Small velvet balls or mice toys filled with dried beans, like beany toys are good, as cats love to catch things and roll around with them like they would if they caught a real mouse.
2006-12-23 16:44:13 · answer #4 · answered by albuswitch 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal for cats to not like catnip. One of my cats use to roll in it, the other one I have now jus flicks her tail as if "what is the crap?" It's just preference. If she is lazy either she isn't feel good and doesn want to do anything, or she is jus a breed of cat who doesnt do anything. What type of breed is she? Once you find out try doing some quick online research about her and her history, you'll learn a lot.
My cat loves boxes, string, high places, and toy mice. She is a Tabby and is very playful.
2006-12-23 16:32:40 · answer #5 · answered by * Kittles * 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat doesn't really like it either, when my other cat rolls in it. It's kinda like some people like whiskey, and others don't, It might be too strong. Catnip is like cat drugs.
Strings and feather teasers encourage play.
She's above the influence.
2006-12-23 17:00:19 · answer #6 · answered by bria. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Found this on wikipedia:
Approximately two thirds of cats are susceptible to the effects of catnip, as the phenomenon is hereditary.
2006-12-23 16:32:55 · answer #7 · answered by Pumpkin 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not all cats like to hit the nip! I have 4 cats. One is a real nip head, she can't get enough of the stuff. My other cats are all different. One cat will only eat fresh cat nip, the others will only eat dry. You should experiment with both. It's not a bad thing your cat doesn't like to get high, she is just making good decisions for her life!
2006-12-23 16:35:09 · answer #8 · answered by Molly 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wow, sorry, my cat loves catnip. Some cats are just like that!
2006-12-23 16:30:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know why your cat hates it but try taking a stick and putting string on it, then dangle it in front of the cats face, eventually the cat will get annoyed and start attacking the string, then move the string, the cat will follow!
2006-12-23 17:13:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋