ok my mom got my cat a little cat nip toy. he is a very lazy cat and once he smells the cat nip he goes crazy!!!! wat is in the cat nip that makes them do that?
2007-03-10 17:09:10 · 8 answers · asked by Cassidy M 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Catnip (Nepatia cataria) is a plant native to North America . Fresh leaves of the catnip plant have a mint-like scent, while dried leaves smell like alfalfa. In all members of the cat family, contact with this plant causes a peculiar reaction called the catnip response. The primary active compound is catnip, nepetalactone, is chemically similar to hallucinogens.
Pawing and marking, clasping and rolling onto the side, and rhythmic kicking with the back feet are common to hunting behavior and the catnip response.
It lasts an average of about 6 minutes but is most intense for 2-3 minutes. Male and female cats of reproductive age are more sensitive to catnip than very young or old cats.
2007-03-10 17:16:10 · answer #1 · answered by Drea 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think it's equivalent to people sniffing glue. . . or doing some sort of drug that makes them 'hyper'. Personally I feel it's mean to give a cat 'catnip' as I feel it's a type of drug that makes them artificially hyper just as a drug will make a person artificially hyper. It may be ' fun ' to watch the cat behave in a hyper way...but it can't be that good for them. What is it doing to their brain cells? Would the cat get a 'headache' after the effects of the catnip wore off ? I think catnip is a sort of 'drug' and feel it's mean to subject a cat to it. Catnip may be a natural product...yet so is marjonia (spelling ? )...can't be good for them. Just my opinion.
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2007-03-10 17:15:34 · answer #2 · answered by onelight 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is a grey-green leaf member of the mint family. It is often used to make tea. The odor of it is very stimulating to cats and they are very attracted by it.
2007-03-10 17:25:29 · answer #3 · answered by don n 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what the chemical make up is in Catnip but yup it sure makes CATS GOES CRAZY.
2007-03-10 17:25:45 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a scratch pad with a toy. it particularly is a circle of cardboard with a hoop with a ball in it around it. whether it particularly is a scratch submit then im sorry. spray it with water or yell at it whilst it would not. additionally try nail caps. my sis thinks it is the main suitable concept. i'm particularly sorry in case you think approximately the element above a scratching submit. stable success!
2016-11-24 19:52:18 · answer #5 · answered by guiterrez 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just an herb, all natural so it's OK. Cat's happen to like the smell and taste of it though. Kinda like me with fresh dill, love it.
2007-03-10 17:16:32 · answer #6 · answered by patti duke 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a chemical in the nip(yes,it's natural)acts like a mood enhancer.
2007-03-10 18:05:09 · answer #7 · answered by Dorothy L 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check the tag and read the important stuff
2007-03-11 05:52:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋