it smellls like tea..... is it tea........ or is it ....................... crack for cats
2007-02-04 09:14:02 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
A hairy aromatic perennial herb (Nepeta cataria) in the mint family, native to Eurasia and containing an aromatic oil to which cats are strongly attracted.
Any of various other mostly aromatic plants of the genus Nepeta, cultivated for their ornamental foliage and clusters of blue, lavender, or white flowers. But mainly it is like crack for cats.
2007-02-04 09:17:16 · answer #1 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
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.
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! So Certified Organic Catnip or fresh Catnip may work better.
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.
2007-02-04 16:28:14 · answer #2 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
catnip comes from the mint family, actually humans can use it also for tea but it doesn't have the same affect to us as cats, to us it is a relaxer, for cats they go crazy over it but not all cats respond to catnip the majority of cats that are attracted to it are males because it has the same pheramone as a female. I have six cats 3 males, 3 females. The females eat it but don't act as aggresive to it as the males do. Hope I helped
2007-02-04 11:04:30 · answer #3 · answered by destined624 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is a very low grade of weed which cats love. It brings out the kitten in olders, and they love to roll in it. After a while, they usually refuse to get up;;basically, a short high. Anyone who says catnip is a food is obviously mistaken;;catnip is a plant that is ground up and dried and sold, or sold live. I have some growing wild outside that I give my cats every summer.
2007-02-04 09:24:59 · answer #4 · answered by Cherrykins 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people are telling you that catnip is food, but it isn't. It's an herb that's ground up into a powder, and usually put in a cat's toys. It smells good to cats, and they like the scent. I have toys filled with catnip for my kitten, and she likes those toys better than the others simply because their smell attracts her!
2007-02-04 09:28:10 · answer #5 · answered by Tay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lot of cat toys are filled with Catnip it is a herb and has a irresistible scent that cats love.
2007-02-04 09:28:22 · answer #6 · answered by Lindsay Jane 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's an herb that makes cats a little loopy. It's harmless. I make little pillows filled with catnip and fluff and my cats love them. It's more like pot and less like crack for cats.
2007-02-04 09:34:58 · answer #7 · answered by Wendi lu who 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a little green plant that looks like a clover. They grow in thick patches. Cats love it!!! People also use it, though, as an herbal remedy for many sicknesses. Old folks believe you can boil a bit in water, like a tea, to calm fussy babies, etc.
2007-02-04 09:19:22 · answer #8 · answered by ashlynmadelynmommy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cat nip isn't food. It's an herb and a member of the mint family which you can grow yourself or buy. Cats like the scent and will roll around in/on it but not eat it.
2007-02-04 09:20:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a herb, smells a bit minty but the cats love it.
It's more like pot than anything else - they even get the munchies !
You can grow it at home but they will eat it as soon as it pops up - I gave up trying.
2007-02-04 09:59:27 · answer #10 · answered by Debi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋