Catteries, kennels, pet stores, and avid cat owners all seem to be stocked up with toys filled with catnip. We humans seem to be entertained watching the peculiar behaviors it has on some cats.
Catnip is a natural herb that belongs to the mint family. There’s an essential oil in catnip called Nepetalactone which is the active ingredient that makes cats go crazy giving a “high” hallucinogenic effect. Only around 50% of cats are affected by nepetalactone and these cats carry a dominant “catnip gene”. This gene only becomes active in cats between 3-6 months of age and geriatric cats usually no longer get affected by catnip.
There are different ways these cats can respond to catnip. We use this natural herb for the cats that are affected by it and here are six classic examples of why we use catnip for cats.
1. Sprinkle dried or liquid form spray catnip
2. A stressed or timid cat will let its inhibitions down with catnip.
3. Some cats with catnip are relaxed enough to be transported in a car or plane. This usually occurs if the cat ingests it.
4. Introducing another cat or animal into the home will help ease the unfamiliarity and may help to bring unity into the home.
5. The more obvious way is to play with your cat with a toy that’s either been soaked in, filled with, or in contact with the playful catnip herb.
6. Entice cats to drink water by placing some dried catnip under their water bowl. Or be really creative in the cats world and entice cats to eat with the use of catnip.
