An interesting phenomenon is seeing cats go off their scratcher for catnip, which is an herb. However, when a cat eats catnip the result is totally the opposite! Catnip can be grown in the garden proper or in containers, either inside or outside. It contains a chemical compound named nepetalactone that acts as a stimulant for cats, causing them to become more hyperactive. “[This] is an inherited sensitivity and it doesn’t show up immediately. It can be propagated by leaf tip cuttings, division or seeds. Understand the science behind this popular treat. But there is no good scientific research to support any of these uses. The active ingredient is called nepetalactone, which many domestic cats respond to in a variety of different ways. Uses for catnip. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. This is all dependent on the cat because only two-thirds of adult cats are affected by catnip, according to a study. You likely wash your hands several times a day, but are you doing so effectively? But catnip actually isn’t the only herb known to get cats to boogie. But for everyone this herb remains, though, the “ cat grass “. Hunters have used catnip to trap cougars and mountain lions, hanging dried plants to lure the big cats with their tempting aroma, Simon said. Help them thrive even when the temperature drops. Catnip can effect cats two ways; by smelling it or eating it. The usage of catnip can support the nervous cats… this website. These alternative herbs are safe, but here are 12 dangerous mistakes cat owners should never make. Catnip is commonly used to encourage cats to explore and play, but it can also be used as a training aid. When these fragile bulbs rupture, they release the nepetalactone into the air, which is why you can find cats chewing on the plant to release more nepetalactone. Keep everything from your countertops to your dining room chairs germ-free. Our entertainment aside, catnip has proven benefits for felines—but that still leaves us with the question, what does catnip do to cats? However, encouraging play isn’t the only use for catnip.. Follow her on Twitter @isabelletava. It's easy to grow and can be found in most nurseries in the herb section. Nepeta cataria, the scientific name for catnip, is an herb in the mint family. It’s a plant that is easy to grow in North America and has feather-like, light-green foliage with lavender flowers. Most cat owners will of heard of catnip but what is catnip and what does it do? It has become widely naturalized throughout temperate areas of the world. Catnip has been used where cat sleep to help keep fleas away. Related: The Most Confusing Pet Behaviors, Explained. It is actually used to calm the nerves, and it is successfully used in the treatment of motion sickness. Start by carving out a designated work area in your space. It can grow up to three feet high. 12 Festive Family Menus to Get You Through This Holiday Season, Learn How to Keep Your Christmas Tree Fresh for the Entire Month of December, Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pasta Recipes Ideal for Weeknight Dinners, How to Hang a Wreath Without Making Holes in the Door, The Best Front Porch Decorating Ideas for Every Month of the Year, How to Disinfect Your Kitchen and Your Food During the Coronavirus Outbreak, According to Experts, How to Keep Your Houseplants Happy in the Winter, How to Wash Your Hands Properly, According to a Doctor, How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now, Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health While You Work from Home, watched as their feline friends enjoyed it, why you can find cats chewing on the plant, Keep your cat happy and interested in their toys. Catnip is a natural muscle relaxer and sedative. The effect on cats only lasts for a few minutes and the cat is not affected after this time. Another advantage, it attracts bees. Although rare, overindulgence can cause vomiting or diarrhea, so you may want to limit your cat's exposure if she's overly interested. Relaxation. The Effects of Catnip in Cats Catnip has been proven to be a mood enhancer for felines, however, these behavioral changes can show themselves in different ways depending on your cat. While catnip seems to give cats more energy, used in low dosages it has the opposite effect on humans. Catnip is commonly used to encourage cats to explore and play, but it can also be used as a training aid. They are best planted in early spring and prefer sandy soil and full sun. Studies have … You can purchase catnip toys and dried catnip in most pet stores (or online, such as SmartyKat Organic Catnip); dried catnip does not contain as much nepetalactone oil as fresh catnip, so it tends to smell stronger and is still enticing to cats. Learn how to sew an easy medical face mask with fabric and cotton ribbon, amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 4 Catnip isn’t toxic or addictive, and it can be used as a reward or training aid. But when smelled, it causes the traditional symptoms we think of. Instead, it will take a few months since young kittens are not affected.” If you’re interested in this little herb, you can make your own catnip crackers. Interestingly enough, when cats eat catnip, it has the opposite effect of sniffing the herb. It can also be used to help cats relax on long journeys or during moves. © Copyright 2020 Meredith Corporation. Cats are receptive to a volatile oil (an oil that evaporates in the air) found in the stems and leaves of the catnip herb. Cats can detect catnip oil in the air at saturations as low as one part per billion. Martha Stewart may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on The active ingredient nepetalactone, is an essential oil which alters the behaviour of domestic and other cat species. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 12 dangerous mistakes cat owners should never make, Why You Might Need to Purposely Kill Your Grass, CBD Helped My Cat’s Growth Disappear in Less Than 2 Months, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. The catnip needs to be regularly refreshed with new grass to keep it working. Plus, we have the scoop on that "add corn syrup to the water" myth. How to Grow Catnip for Cat Use. It’s not true that cats can not drink water from catnip-scented bowls, they just won’t want to, for health reasons. Cats are born to move (even if they do sleep crazy amounts!). With that said, if eating, catnip may act as a sedative. If you have given catnip to your cat you will of experienced their strange behavior such rolling around In this guide we will answer all of your questions. The plant produces this chemical (nepetalactone) in microscopic bulbs that coat its leaves, stems, and seedpods. When you need a comforting meal but don't have a lot of time, whip up one of these fast pasta recipes. Be sure to download our complete guide here! Isabelle Tavares is a journalism graduate student at the Newhouse School of Syracuse University and former ASME intern for RD.com, where she wrote for the knowledge, travel, culture and health sections. Once your cat has had enough, they will walk away from it. Cats are receptive to a volatile oil (an oil that evaporates in the air) found in the stems and leaves of the catnip herb. All can be made in 45 minutes or less. Once your cat smells the catnip, they may begin to rub, kick, chew, and roll in it to help release the oil trapped in the plant's leaves. Nepeta cataria, or catnip, contains a strong-scented minty oil that’s easily released into the air. Learn how to minimize the spread of germs with an extra few seconds of scrubbing. 5 Catnip Health Benefits 1. Catnip is best known for attracting cats due to the oil in the plants leaves and stems called nepetalactone. Dried catnip is the classic form of this feline-pleasing treat. Her work has been published in MSN, The Family Handyman, INSIDER, among others. Insomnia. Nepetalactone targets receptors in the cat’s olfactory epithelium located on the roof of the nasal cavity which activates the same neural pathways as sexual pheromones.. Neil B. Todd found 31% of cats are immune to the effects of catnip. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If not, this leads to aggressive, depressed, or anxious behavior in cats—so watch out for these silent signs your cat is depressed. Around half to two thirds of cats will respond to this oil. “Both smelling and ingesting catnip is safe for your feline family member.” Cats can’t only eat catnip treats—the best dry foods for cats will hold them over. Nepeta cataria is an herb that commonly makes the list of anti-stress natural remedies for domesticated felines. Michele Pevide / Getty Images. He does mention that catnip sometimes makes cats aggressive, though. The effects of catnip are short-lived and usually last 10 to 15 minutes. When it enters a cat's nose, it binds to receptors on the sensory neurons lining the nasal cavity, which, in turn, activate different areas of the brain that control emotion and behavior. It's worth noting that not all cats are affected by catnip—this response is inherited. Their razor-sharp instincts need to be housed in an equally stimulating home, studies show. Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home! Kittens under six months of age don’t respond to catnip. Martha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. (Fun fact: It affects big cats like lions and tigers as well.) To identify it, catnip is a grayish-green plant with jagged heart shaped leaves and thick stems that are both covered in fuzzy hairs. You can use the dried herb on anything, from toys to scratching posts. It also makes a great mosquito repellent. Place a small amount of catnip on your cat's scratching post to encourage scratching, or in their carrier to encourage them to enter, thereby creating a positive association. 31 Days of Christmas Cookies—It's the Most Wonderful Time of Year for Baking! We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Catnip is measured as a form of environmental improvement. Place a small amount of catnip on your cat's scratching post to encourage scratching, or in their carrier to encourage them to enter, thereby creating a positive association. A study suggests that valerian root, silver vine, and Tatarian honeysuckle can also have a similar effect on cats’ behavior to catnip. We recommend our users to update the browser. Most cat caregivers have offered their cat a sniff or taste of catnip and watched as their feline friends enjoyed it—eating, smelling, rolling around in it, or simply lounging in a relaxed state—but what exactly is catnip and why do cats seemingly go crazy for it? In fact, up to one-third of cats have no response to catnip at all. Also similar is the uniqueness of the drug experience to each individual. Amongst cat lovers it’s a well-known fact that Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is the thing cats love above all else, tuna aside that is. 'Tis the season to enjoy (and gift!) Credit: This is thought to be due to genetics. Some believe this triggers the receptors that mimic feline pheromones, acting like an aphrodisiac. What Is Catnip and How Does It Affect Your Cat? “About 50 percent of cats seem to be affected by catnip, and the behavior that results varies widely between individuals,” Rotman says. The active ingredient in catnip is called nepetalactone. Which cats are affected? The typical use for catnip is to encourage cats to play, and for this it can be great to incorporate into your environmental enrichment for your cats. Cats that eat catnip will appear lethargic and lazy, often being compared to “stoned” humans. Catnip’s effects have a ticking clock—about five to 30 minutes, Rotman says. What happens when my cat has catnip? The term ‘catnip’ is thought to originate from the response cats show towards the plant. It binds to receptors inside the cat’s nose and drives its sensory neurons crazy, according to Daniel Rotman, CEO of PrettyLitter. When cats get a whiff of catnip, they behave similarly to female cats in heat—erratic movements, strange howls, and all. A cat may not respond again to catnip for at least a couple of hours. Uses Catnip tea is most commonly used to treat nervousness and anxiety, along with other symptoms these conditions can cause, such as indigestion and insomnia. What is catnip used for? “If you have a multi-cat household, it’s recommended to introduce catnip to each cat individually to avoid any potential fighting,” Rotman says. Catnip is a herb that is actually a member of the mint family. Catnip works as a sedative when eaten, so your cat may all of a sudden relax or at least act a lot calmer than usual. Catnip is used by mouth, applied directly to the skin, or inhaled for many different conditions. An even better suggestion: grow your own catnip. It's also a useful training aid; for example, some dried nip on a scratching post attracts cats to this appropriate scratching spot — some, like Imperial Cat Scratch'n Shapes, which even comes complete with a catnip packet. The response to this chemical is mediated through the olfactory system and binds to receptors in the nasal tissue when inhaled. However, when a cat eats the herb, it has a calming effect. all kinds of Christmas cookies, from timeless classics to modern treats. Some suggested uses for catnip are the following: Rub catnip into your cat’s scratching post to encourage use Place catnip in toys to promote active play and exercise Sprinkle catnip in a new environment to encourage shy cats to be comfortable and help cat … “If the catnip is ingested, it causes fatigue and works as a sedative. Cats commonly react to catnip by sniffing, licking, eating, rolling, and rubbing their cheeks on it. For storing catnip, you can freeze in an airtight container to keep it fresh. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Yes, catnip has been proven safe for cats. Daily baking inspiration for the holidays and beyond! It could your cat suddenly starts bouncing around chasing imaginary prey or even in a zone of complete relaxation staring into space. It … Even though your cat may display these behaviors, the response occurs through the olfactory system. Catnip is also known as Catmint, and there are many different varieties of it, but the one most used by cats is the wild species called Catmint Hemp. Who knew that sniffing or eating this plant would make cats act in such interesting ways? According to the American Chemical Society, experts state that one in three of cats do not inherit the sensitivity to nepetalactone and kittens don't develop the ability to react to catnip until they are around three to six months of age. This chemical is thought to mimic the effects of a pheromone to cause a variety of behaviors. Although catnip may seem like a drug, Rotman confirms that it’s not addictive for cats. Cats must inherit the tendency to react to catnip, not all felines do. All Rights Reserved. Humans throughout history have used catnip for medicinal properties similar to chamomile. Cats affected by catnip roll on the floor—which mimics a female in estrus. Get inspired to make your porch your new favorite living space with these ideas designed to add a refined look to any outdoor space. Stress Reducer (Cats + Humans) Cats can get stressed out just like humans. Catnip is a member of the mint family and is hardy in USDA zone 3-9. Indigenous to Europe, it was transplanted to North America during European settlement. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. Catnip leaves have actually been used to make tea, and the flowers are said to relieve coughs. Some vets actually prescribe catnip to be used to calm hyperactive cats. Some other responses include stretching, drooling, jumping, and hyperactivity while others may become mellow. The common name catmint can also refer to the genus as a whole. You may think that cats live … Catnip can be used in veterinary clinics, shelters, and foster homes in addition to a cat's own home to help lower stress levels. Catnip is easy to grow. Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb that is a member of the mint family. For cats that sniff catnip and rub against the plants, they’ll get more of the stimulating effects,” Rotman said. Nepeta Cataria (scientific name of catnip) is a herbaceous plant used as an ornament or as a natural herbal remedy for humans. This out-of-fur experience is due to the active ingredient in the oil, nepetalactone. Here, get our best grilling recipes for everything from fish and meat to pizza and oysters. Catnip is non-toxic to cats. The catnip produce relief for the cats having a stressful period like when introduced to a new animal, travelling, moved to a new place etc. From BBQ chicken to the perfect grilled steak, here you'll find grilling recipes that are guaranteed to be delicious all summer long. Under-stimulated house cats could do well to escape their bland surroundings. This dual effect of hyperactivity and sedation is what makes catnip such a strange and commonly tried cat “treat”. While it's originally native to Europe and Asia, it now grows wild across the country along roads and highways. This keeps the toys novel and fun. From which platforms to use and the best books to read, bibliophiles share their advice. In fact, people used to use catnip to brew tea and soothe upset stomachs (catnip doesn’t affect people the way it affects cats). Nepeta cataria, commonly known as catnip, catswort, catwort, and catmint, is a species of the genus Nepeta in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of China. Keep your cat happy and interested in their toys by rotating them: offer some toys as available and hide the rest in a ziplock bag or jar and marinate them in catnip. Catnip is a plant—known scientifically as Nepeta cataria—that is a member of the mint family. Now that you know how catnip affects your feline friend, you’ll want to decode the rest of your kitty’s behavior too. Want more tasty and festive holiday cookie recipes and tips? It is the nepetalcataria variety that most cats enjoy. It is widely naturalized in northern Europe, New Zealand, and North America. Many experts believe that this chemical (nepetalactone) acts as a feline attractant and triggers the response. The main perk of catnip for cats is that it relaxes the mind. 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Some vets actually prescribe catnip to be delicious all summer long ‘ catnip is...