| Most people are familiar with the affinity cats | | | | ingredient in catnip is called Nepetalactone, which |
| have for catnip. After viewing your cat's reaction | | | | stimulates a response from the cat's olfactory |
| to catnip, you may become concerned and ask | | | | system. Some people believe that catnip may also |
| some common questions in relation to products | | | | be tied to stimulating a cat's pheromonic receptor. |
| composed of this substance. Here are a few | | | | That is, a pheromone produces a chemical |
| facts and answers to common questions about | | | | reaction within a body (or plant) and produces an |
| catnip. | | | | effect on behavior. Some common pheromones |
| What exactly is catnip? Catnip is an herb from the | | | | include: aggregation, primer, territorial, and sex |
| Lamiaceae family group, and it is known as | | | | pheromones. |
| Nepeta cataria in scientific terms. It originated in | | | | How does catnip effect kittens and elderly cats? |
| the Mediterranean area, but is now commonly | | | | Catnip does not effects kittens under the age of |
| found in England, North America and Canada, | | | | 3 months, and elderly cats are generally not |
| though it can be grown almost anywhere. Most of | | | | effected either. In fact, approximately ten to |
| these plants are herbaceous perennials, but some | | | | thirty percent of the entire cat population does |
| grow annually as well. | | | | not respond to the effects of catnip, no matter |
| What does a catnip plant look like? It has a thick | | | | what their age. The reaction to catnip is also |
| and sturdy stem, with heart shaped green to | | | | genetically based. Some cats are "made" to |
| grayish leaves. The catnip plant has flowers, and | | | | respond to catnip, while others simply aren't. |
| they are usually pink, lilac, blue, or white in color. | | | | Can catnip be dangerous? Catnip is often inhaled |
| The flowers are tube shaped, and are sometimes | | | | by cats, not ingested. This means that they |
| flecked with tiny purple dots. | | | | cannot "overdose" or consume too much. If a cat |
| What are the effects of catnip on cats? Some | | | | happens to consume catnip, they may vomit, but |
| cats react more dramatically to catnip than | | | | it is not harmful or toxic. Most times, when you |
| others. Common effects of catnip include running, | | | | see a cat nibbling on catnip, it is not because they |
| jumping, excessive meowing or growling, licking, | | | | want to eat it; they are simply trying to release |
| salivating, sniffing, pupil dilation, and rubbing or | | | | the scent of the plant that activates their senses. |
| rolling on catnip. Instead, some cats may become | | | | Cats love catnip. It is an herb that triggers their |
| sedated, tranquilized, or tired. Once a cat | | | | senses that elicits a playful response. It is not |
| experiences a reaction to catnip, they lose | | | | dangerous or toxic to your cat, as the scent is |
| interest and cannot be affected by it for at least | | | | inhaled and the plant is not usually consumed. So, |
| an hour, sometimes two after their original | | | | catnip toys and scratch posts are fine for your |
| exposure. | | | | kitty; let them have a little fun, and enjoy their |
| How does catnip work? The primary active | | | | treat of catnip! |