Mary Allen
Catnip, also known as catnip, has attracted many velvet paws. It is observed again and again that animals deliberately consume plants and fruits that have an intoxicating or calming effect. With catnip, however, our clever velvet paws prefer a much more harmless intoxicant.
What is catnip?
Let’s dive into the world of botanists. The correct name of catnip is Nepeta cataria. It is a natural plant and is also known to some as “real catnip” or “cat balm”. The plant species belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae).
The plant adorns itself with white to pale blue flowers between July and September. The individual flowers sit in groups on the stem, which are long and thin. The leaves are grey-green and slightly hairy. The maximum growth height is almost one meter. Catnip can be found in the home garden, among other things.
Originally, however, catnip comes from dry and warm climate zones in Europe, Asia and North Africa. The special thing about the plant is its essential oils, whose scent is reminiscent of tart lemon and mint. Even if the smell is simply perceived by us humans as pleasant, it can trigger a state of intoxication in cats.
Catnip contains the active ingredients nepetalactone and actinidin. Nepetalactone is a pheromone that acts as a kind of protective shield for the plant itself and also for the surrounding plants. The active ingredient keeps harmful insects, such as fleas, mosquitoes and cockroaches, as well as birds away.
Potential pollinators, on the other hand, are attracted by the pheromones. It is no coincidence that catnip is so attractive to cats. The plant uses its attraction to cats to distribute its fruit for propagation.
When the cat rolls over the plant, the so-called claustrophobia often get stuck in the fur. These then fall off the coat for a few more meters or are distributed at the latest during the next grooming session. This spreading of seeds and fruits over the fur of animals is called epizoochory.
Actinidin is the second special active ingredient in catnip. This active ingredient is also found in other plants such as valerian, which has a similar intoxicating effect on cats as catnip. Actinidin is also excreted in the urine of unneutered female cats. So it’s no wonder that hangovers react particularly strongly to catnip.
This is how catnip works
Catnip has a euphoric effect on most cats, putting them in a state of intoxication that usually lasts 5 to 15 minutes. The beguiling scent encourages cats to behave playfully and promotes their urge to move. Many cats roll in the catnip, rub their face against it, or slap it with their paw. They often run and jump wildly around, as if chasing invisible prey. Old cat toys also become interesting again with the help of catnip and the general perception of the environment is usually positively stimulated.
Even previously uninteresting scratching opportunities suddenly become incredibly attractive. Even otherwise very lazy cats can be encouraged to play with the help of catnip. For example, if you spread the catnip on the floor, the cats rub and roll in it so that the pollen sticks to the fur.
By the way, not only our house tigers show the same behavior, but also big cats, such as lions or tigers.
Cats are often extremely exhausted after their intoxication and have to take a little nap first. It then takes a few hours for the cat to react to the catnip again. Depending on the character of the velvet paw, the positive behavior just mentioned can also turn negative in rare cases.
Particularly aggressive cats, who like to stretch out their claws, should only be introduced to the catnip slowly. But there are also cats that react to catnip with calmness and composure. Most of the time they like to nibble on the plant and purr at the same time or just relax and stare into space. Other cats appear to be immune to catnip. But why? The ingredient actinidin, which unneutered cats also excrete with their urine during the mating season, is responsible for the fact that not all velvet paws react to catnip. The attractant appears to have little or no effect, particularly on younger cats and older seniors.
How and where is catnip available?
Catnip is available in a variety of forms. The simplest and most natural form is fresh catnip. You can find them in nature or plant them yourself in the garden or on the balcony. Any well-stocked garden center will sell catnip. However, most cat owners prefer the dried form. These are usually available in pet shops in small bags or cans. Scratching boards often come with a small bag of catnip as a gift.
Tip:
So that the effect of the essential oils does not evaporate, it is advisable to always seal the dried catnip airtight.
Catnip is also available in liquid form, as a spray. Since cats’ noses are very sensitive, this highly concentrated liquid should only be used very sparingly. Another form that catnip comes in is the finished toy or cat pillow. These have a core of dried catnip and they can be offered directly to the cat to play with.
Use of Catnip – Target use of Catnip
Catnip is a great natural remedy that can be used in a targeted manner. Almost every cat owner knows the situation: You should go to the vet but the cat refuses to get into the transport box. If you sprinkle a little catnip in it, it looks completely different. It doesn’t take long before the cat starts to roll around in the transport box. With the help of catnip, a situation that is unpleasant for many cat owners can be defused.
Another widespread problem: the velvet paw does not accept the new scratching post and prefers to scratch the sofa or other beloved furniture. Catnip can also help here. With a little catnip spray, the new scratching post looks much more interesting and the furniture is spared.
But even if you just want to encourage your cat to play, catnip can have an effect. If you rub a little catnip on an old, long-forgotten toy, it will immediately become much more interesting and the cat will enjoy playing with it again.
Is catnip toxic to cats?
Don’t worry, catnip is non-toxic to cats. If a cat were to eat very large amounts of pure catnip, the best it could cause was an upset stomach. Normally, a cat does not consume such a large amount of catnip. In small amounts, catnip is completely harmless. Catnip is often referred to as a drug for cats. However, unlike drugs that humans consume, the euphoric substances in catnip do not enter the cat’s bloodstream. So you can safely provide your cat with catnip.
How often can you give catnip?
Although catnip is harmless to cats, its use should be limited. You should avoid distributing the Catnip Spray throughout the apartment. That would be too much for the sensitive cat nose.
If the cat can no longer properly detect its familiar smells, it may well start marking to cover up the smell. Normally it is sufficient to spray the catnip in small doses on certain objects or to spread the dried catnip on the scratching board, for example.
If the catnip effect wears off, spray again after a few days. A Catnip toy, on the other hand, can be made available to the cat on a permanent basis. She will sometimes leave it alone for a while and then eventually jump back into it once the catnip has had an effect.
Catnip in cat food
For some time, catnip has also been gaining popularity in cat food. As a rule, however, the dose of catnip is so small that the typical effect does not occur. But many cats like the taste of catnip in cat food.
Plant catnip
Would you like to make your cat happy and plant catnip in the garden or on the balcony yourself? This is a very good idea because, as mentioned earlier, the other plants around the catnip will also benefit by keeping harmful insects and birds away. Growing your own catnip isn’t all that difficult either. Cultivated forms of catnip are available as perennials in well-stocked gardening shops.
Once planted outdoors, catnip will self-propagate. Catnip flowers are self-pollinating and are also visited by pollinators. The catnip needs a nutrient-rich and preferably slightly sandy soil. A sunny location is also important. It can cope well with temporary drought. The catnip is therefore a suitable plant for garden beginners. But watch out! It could happen that your garden becomes the new meeting place for all the neighborhood cats who cannot escape the magical attraction of catnip.