catnip ... my cat doesnt really like it?

Question

catnip ... my cat doesnt really like it, or anything else for that matter. any suggestions as to what else i could try getting him as a treat?

Answer 1

Hi there ...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.

Answer 2

Catnip rubbed on toys is usually well accepted by cats, but if your cats really not into it there are many other options out there. Small balls or mice cats have a ball whacking around, me and my cats used to play a game where id throw a plastic ball up my staircase and my cat would chase it all the way up, and all the way back down again.

Laser pointers are one thing that no cat can refuse, a small flashlight also works. Just shoot the light around the room and the cat will chase it everywhere, but be careful to NEVER shine the light in the cats eyes.

If youre talking about actual food treats, Catnip isnt one of them.. its not meant to be eaten. It kinda of like drugs for cats.. rub it on the carpet or on toys and theyll roll around and go nuts. My cats never particularly liked food treats either, but small bits of turkey or ham or cooked bacon usually serve as good occasional treats, but dont overfeed table scraps, its not good for them.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I put some catnip on the scratching post and give them whisker lickens about $1.00 at Walmart as treats. Catnip is more of a feel good herb for cats like extacy for people on drugs.

Answer 4

merely the different evening, my one cat went thoroughly blotto for catnip. yet one skipped over it. The sensitivity to catnip is inherited, so the perfect reaction is for the kitten to have 2 mothers and fathers that are both smooth to catnip, and then it truly is largely a 75% danger the kitten will be smooth. My oldest cat will lick up catnip, yet she shows no outward reaction. truthfully, 0.5 of all cats practice no sensitivity to catnip. There are oils (nepetalactone) in pills contained in the leaves, and considering it truly is a really risky oil, efficiency of catnip is nice if sparkling, and also if refrigerated.

Answer 5

Some cats don't much care for it. If he's a kitten, generally they need to be at least 6 months old to appreciate catnip.

I've given little bits of turkey from the deli section of the supermarket, baby food, shrimp. You name it. It's nice because cats are small and only require small amounts of treats.

The best thing is to try different things until you find something he likes.

Answer 6

A lot of cats don't like. If they do they're usually older cats. The best treats that I'm sure your cats would love are the moist treats that come in packages.

Answer 7

My cat doesn't like catnip or any other cat treats, but she can't resist tuna!

Answer 8

Some do and some don't. Try some of that cat grass that you can grow. Most come already planted, just add water and light and before long you have green grass coming up.

Answer 9

if the kitty isn't into food treats...toy treats would be my next thought...=)