Catnip: How Does It Affect Your Cat?
Maybe you know it from your house tiger when it tightly clutches the small stuffed pillow with its paws and is visibly delighted by... well, what exactly? Presumably, it is filled with catnip. But what exactly does your furry friend find so enticing about it?
What is the Attraction of Catnip?
Nepeta cataria, also known as cat mint or true catnip, is primarily found in Southern Europe. It blooms from July to September and is the most popular subspecies of catnip.
Worldwide, there are about 180 different species of Nepeta, but only about 20 of them are used as ornamental plants in our homes. The catnip gets its name from its effect on our furry friends.
With its lemony-herb scent, it smells pleasant to us as well and is full of essential oils. In addition to your living room lion, catnip attracts lions, tigers, and other wild cats in the wild. Intoxicating!
The Effect of Catnip
How exactly catnip affects your furry friend is still not entirely clear. Observations show, however, that cats tend to reach for catnip in stressful situations to relax. It's like the green bag for your furry friend. Well, in a legal and non-addictive way, of course!
Reactions to "consuming" the catnip range from enjoyable nibbling and rolling to heightened hunting instincts and actual highs. Since most furry friends respond with relaxation, catnip is great for helping your pet get used to transport boxes or unfamiliar places, like a new home, and making it feel cozy.
Even if you are planning a change in food for your four-legged friend, catnip can help make the unfamiliar food more attractive. Just place a pot of catnip next to the food.
My Cat Is Not Interested in Catnip, Is That Normal?
Don't worry if your furry friend doesn't find the mint plant intoxicating! Current research shows that about 67% of all house cats can be affected by catnip.
The rest find it completely uninteresting. Perhaps your cat is still very young or very old - because with young furry friends and seniors, it is more common that they find catnip not very exciting.
Can Catnip Be Dangerous?
If you are now wondering: But is a euphoric state harmful to my cat? Can it become dependent on it? The answer is: No, catnip can neither cause dependencies nor is it harmful to your furry friend's health.
Only excessive consumption could cause your house tiger some stomach pain, but most cats do not go beyond a timid nibble. Small amounts in food even naturally increase acceptance.
Do-it-yourself: Make Catnip Toys Yourself
Catnip is easy to care for and therefore well-suited for your garden, balcony, or windowsill. Instead of buying toys filled with catnip, you can easily make them yourself:
Pick a handful of catnip and let it dry for several days. Take an old sock and fill it with the dried mint. Then sew up the sock, and you have the perfect catnip pillow - lovingly handmade and from your own cultivation.
If you want it to be more interactive, you can attach the pillow with a string to a branch - et voilà: a cat wand for fun & play with your furry friend. Tips on how to keep your cat entertained at home can be found →here.
