The Fact About Catnip: How It Impacts Your Cat and How one can Use It Safely

As a cat proprietor, you may have in all probability heard about catnip. You might be in all probability additionally conscious that it has a fame for driving cats a little bit non compos mentis.

However how a lot do you actually find out about it?

As an example, are you aware precisely the way it works and the way secure it’s to your cat?

On this publish, we’ll try to reply these questions and extra!

What precisely is Catnip?

Catnip is a typical lemony herb that may be a member of the mint household.

In Latin, it is named Nepeta cataria, however folks typically discuss with it as area balm, catwort and catmint.

This plant is engaging 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 principal parts present in catnip is nepetalactone, which is a chemical referred to as risky oil (aka terpene). It’s discovered within the leaves and stems of the plant.

If cats odor this nepetalactone, it may well stimulate sure chemical compounds 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 also known as ‘weed’ for cats as a result of it may well make cats seem ‘excessive’ after smelling it. In different phrases, comfortable, calm and relaxed.

However it’s price stating that it’s not associated to weed in any method. Certainly, scientific research have confirmed that catnip doesn’t have an effect on a feline’s mind in the identical method as different medicine like cocaine or marijuana do.

Even after getting a whiff of it, cats seem utterly conscious of their environment. They only look like an entire lot happier.

General, catnip is taken into account secure as it’s not addictive and doesn’t have any long-term damaging results on a cat’s mind.

Why do cats love catnip?

Consultants 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 each time they inhale catnip.

One doable purpose for that is that the scent may mimic a feline’s intercourse pheromones. Usually, the consequences for many cats final for about ten minutes.

Once 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 just a few advantages to exposing them to catnip.

One of many principal ones is that they will stop them from being bored as a result of most kitties love rolling round a mattress of those minty herbs or taking part in with toys which can be infused with them.

Moreover, they will also be used as a coaching support. This may be notably helpful in case your cat is scratching furnishings or partaking in different undesirable behaviours, as you may simply rub a little bit little bit of catnip onto their scratching publish every so often to distract them.

How ought to I introduce catnip to my cat?

In case you are fascinated by 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 house 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 partaking with it.
• Use it to cut back any potential anxiousness they’ve when assembly a brand new cat
• Put some of their service when going to the vet or one other automobile journey

What kind of catnip is greatest to present my cat?

Catnip is available in a wide range of totally different types, together with a dried natural format, which is the most typical.

They’re additionally accessible infused in chews and toys, recent, or as a sprig or oil extract. It’s best to take a look at Zach’s Pet Store to see the total vary.

As all felines react in a different way, your pet will most certainly favor one kind over one other. So, it is best to take the time to experiment to establish which sort they like one of the best.

Do you have to determine to purchase dried catnip, it is very important retailer it within the freezer in an hermetic container. This may 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 will not be capable of ‘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 delicate gastrointestinal points, like diarrhoea or vomiting.

If this does occur, take away all traces of the catnip from the areas by which your cat roams.

How lengthy does catnip final?

As talked about, the consequences of catnip are inclined to final for about 10-Quarter-hour, although it does fluctuate on the person cat.

As soon as the consequences have worn off, it’d take between half an hour to an hour to your kitty to answer you as regular. The precise size of time will rely upon the efficiency of the catnip they inhaled.