As a cat proprietor, you may have in all probability heard about catnip. You’re in all probability additionally conscious that it has a status for driving cats a little bit non compos mentis.
However how a lot do you actually learn about it?
As an illustration, are you aware precisely the way it works and the way protected it’s on your cat?
On this publish, we’ll try to reply these questions and extra!
What precisely is Catnip?
Catnip is a standard lemony herb that could be a member of the mint household.
In Latin, it is named Nepeta cataria, however individuals typically seek advice from it as discipline balm, catwort and catmint.
This plant is enticing to all members of the cat household, together with panthers, tigers and lions, in addition to your pet kitty at house.
How does Catnip work?
One of many important elements present in catnip is nepetalactone, which is a chemical known as risky oil (aka terpene). It’s discovered within the leaves and stems of the plant.
If cats odor this nepetalactone, it might stimulate sure chemical substances of their mind that relate to happiness and temper.
Apparently, the identical doesn’t occur in people, attributable to us having very physiologically totally different brains to cats.
Is catnip a drug which may make my cat excessive?
Catnip is sometimes called ‘weed’ for cats as a result of it might make cats seem ‘excessive’ after smelling it. In different phrases, comfortable, calm and relaxed.
However it’s price declaring that it isn’t associated to weed in any approach. Certainly, scientific research have confirmed that catnip doesn’t have an effect on a feline’s mind in the identical approach as different medication like cocaine or marijuana do.
Even after getting a whiff of it, cats seem fully conscious of their environment. They only look like a complete lot happier.
Total, catnip is taken into account protected as it isn’t addictive and doesn’t have any long-term damaging results on a cat’s mind.
Why do cats love catnip?
Specialists have posited that cats take pleasure in catnip as a result of they get a way of maximum happiness and euphoria, which is rapidly adopted by a sense of whole rest at any time when they inhale catnip.
One attainable cause for that is that the scent may mimic a feline’s intercourse pheromones. Usually, the results for many cats final for about ten minutes.
After they come throughout catnip, felines may rub their face up and down it or select to eat it, particularly if recent.
Does catnip have any advantages?
For cats, there are a number of advantages to exposing them to catnip.
One of many important ones is that they will forestall them from being bored as a result of most kitties love rolling round a mattress of those minty herbs or enjoying with toys which can be infused with them.
Moreover, they may also be used as a coaching assist. This may be notably helpful in case your cat is scratching furnishings or partaking in different undesirable behaviours, as you’ll be able to simply rub a little bit little bit of catnip onto their scratching publish once in a while to distract them.
How ought to I introduce catnip to my cat?
In case you are all for exposing your feline to catnip for the primary time, it’s a good suggestion to not purchase an excessive amount of till you’re certain that your cat enjoys it (not all do).
Nevertheless, you are able to do it in a number of methods:
- Buy a catnip toy
- Throw down some catnip in a brand new area you need your feline to find
- Sprinkle it loosely in your cat’s scratching level or toys to see in the event that they like participating with it.
- Use it to scale back any potential nervousness they’ve when assembly a brand new cat
- Put some of their provider when going to the vet or one other automotive journey
What sort of catnip is finest to offer my cat?
Catnip is available in a wide range of totally different types, together with a dried natural format, which is the commonest.
They’re additionally obtainable infused in chews and toys, recent, or as a twig or oil extract. You must try Zach’s Pet Store to see the total vary.
As all felines react in a different way, your pet will probably want one sort over one other. So, it’s best to take the time to experiment to determine which kind they like the perfect.
Do you have to resolve to purchase dried catnip, it is very important retailer it within the freezer in an hermetic container. This can guarantee it doesn’t lose its efficiency. It’s a good suggestion to search for catnip that’s 100% natural or pure.
Can my cat overdose on catnip?
Technically, cats should not in a position to ‘overdose’ on catnip. However on the identical time, they need to not eat an excessive amount of of it in a single go.
The explanation for that is that they could expertise gentle gastrointestinal points, like diarrhoea or vomiting.
If this does occur, take away all traces of the catnip from the areas wherein your cat roams.
How lengthy does catnip final?
As talked about, the results of catnip are inclined to final for about 10-Quarter-hour, although it does fluctuate on the person cat.
As soon as the results have worn off, it would take between half an hour to an hour on your kitty to reply to you as regular. The precise size of time will rely upon the efficiency of the catnip they inhaled.
