Cat question, what exactly is catnip, what does it do, what is the effects, and why cats love it so much!!!?

Question

Why do cats go crazy with catnip, does it work on humans?

Answer 1

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. 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

cat nip is a dried plant. You can buy it fresh and grow it at home for your cat. No one really knows how it works exactly. Only that it triggers erratic behavior almost immediately and after 10-20 minutes it just shuts off. After a cat has had some cat nip giving more right away won't cause it to react like that again. Almost like they have developed a tolerance to it. Also, not all cats are affected by catnip. About 30% or so are immune to the effects. Catnip will not do similar things to humans.

Answer 3

No it doesn't work on humans, good try catnip is a plant that certain (not all) cats like to roll in. They like the scent, it doesn't make them high, like some people think. They just like the smell, just like some dogs like the smell of anise seed. If you could get high off of catnip, I would be growing it all over the back yard

Answer 4

it is type of like marijuana to people. cats below 9 months it would not oftentimes have plenty or any impact on. yet there's a gene that some cats have and a few do no longer. in basic terms very those days has my 13 month previous cats gotten into catnip and in basic terms the sparkling stuff they are going to bypass nutz over.

Answer 5

A cup of catnip tea will quiet the nerves in humans...

...in cat's, it's said to be an aphrodisiac.

Answer 6

http://www.cat-world.com.au/catnip.htm...