do all cats like cat nip?

Question

i was just wondering.... neither of my two cats seem interested in it at all

Answer 1

Hi Shelli ...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 a cat does not react. If they do possess the gene, cats of all sizes - from housecats, cheetahs, mountain lions, pumas, etc. - will love catnip.

More about catnip:

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. 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.

Answer 2

Not all cats like cat nip and for some it depends on the age of the cat . I have 2 cats and the youngest one likes cat nip but it dosent do the get cat high thing :S i wonder why that is but oh well .. so no not all cants like cat nip and some times it depends on the ager of the cat too.

Answer 3

There are some cats that do not respond to catnip. It just depends on the cat.
I have also found it sometimes depends what type of cat nip it is. My cats never responded to pet store catnip but ALWAYS responded to fresh grown stuff (that was dried) from my Mom's. Guess it was a better plant LOL

Answer 4

Oh Yeah. Cats go crazy over catnip. It has a chemical in it that attracts cats. I sprayed some on my cats scratching post and they are always rubbing all over it and always use it now. It seems maybe the catnip you got is either not catnip or maybe your cats can't smell it. I'm not to sure but it sound like it's not really catnip because cats usually love that stuff.

Answer 5

I have grown organic Cat nip and there are many cats around the neighborhood. I've given it out to cat lovers and they say their cats love it and enjoy it.

Answer 6

No. I have never had a cat who responds to it, and I have had a few. It's very disappointing! I bought some catnip toys once thinking my cat would go nuts and when I put them in front of her...nothing.

Answer 7

Apparently it is a genetic thing and only about 30% are responsive to catnip. None of my cats gets particularly excited about it. I wonder where those genes developed and why.

Answer 8

Not all of them do. My 2 cats love it but my brothers cat couldn't care less.

Answer 9

No, for some reason not all cats like it. My cats have always gone nuts over it though.

Answer 10

Both my kitties had to grow into their liking..
My 6 yo male ignored catnip when he was a kitten then when he was about 2yo he went nuts over it.
My 1 1/2 yo female is just now warming up to it.