My cat just had, for all I know, her first taste of the stuff. She went through a flipout period where she was really squirrelly, jumping up at the cords on the miniblind, bolting around the house, jumping in a bunch of plastic sacks on the floor where I was wrapping Christmas presents. Now she is laying beside me and appears to be stoned out of her mind.
Looks like she had a great time with it. Wonder how it feels?
2007-12-23 20:19:20 · 4 answers · asked by musicimprovedme 7 in Pets ➔ Cats
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 some cats do not react. If they do possess the gene, cats of all sizes - from housecats, cheetahs, mountain lions, pumas, etc. - will love catnip.
Most cats will consume as much to their delight, but others will become hyper and have been known to vomit up from the excitement. It is completely harmless and your veterinary can confirm this fact as well.
2007-12-23 21:19:24 · answer #1 · answered by ♪ Seattle ♫ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry - you're cat's not going to end in in Catnip Addicts Annoymous and you won't have to drive her to weekly meetings where she earns chips for each month she's straight! ;) Catnip's completely safe for cats and something they truly love. Here's some really good info - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catnip
If your cat loves catnip you should try Marinated Mice. It's a little container of fuzzy toy mice packed in concentrated catnip pellets. After playtime you put the mice back in the container to "recharge" charge them and they stay super catnippy for quite a long time. My go NUTS for these mice - rubbing them all over their faces and tossing them in the air!
Funny story - a fellow volunteer at the cat shelter I work with had a package delivered that she stuck under her Christmas tree and then headed out to do some shopping. She came home later to find the package SHREDDED all over the house. Ends up her friend had stuck a bag of choice catnip in there with her presents and the cats smelled it and HAD to get it. All four of her cats were passed out on the floor lol
LOL Seattle at the "cut" comment. I'm picturing a cat on a street corner going "Pssst... hey you... want some catnip? I swear it's pure Colombian... really!" when it's actually half catnip/half oregano lol
2007-12-23 21:27:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's a natural herb from the mint family.
Yes, cats get a big "high" from it,.. there are a few that have no reaction though.
Safe, non toxic, just basically tuckers them out when they get into a rambunctuous frenzy!
2007-12-23 20:23:52 · answer #3 · answered by deltadawn 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Catnip is a plant that grows wild and is ground up and stuffed it to toys. Its not harmful at all. Its like cat pot.
2007-12-23 20:22:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋