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. Catnip is measured as a form of environmental improvement.

The usage of catnip can support the nervous cats’ practices playful activities and help to keep the bouncy cats from becoming uninterested. It does have pain-relieving properties to some instance and is supportive of the digestive tract. The catnip used in humans for its anti-diarrheal and spasmolytic (capability to eliminate contraction of the smooth muscle) properties.

WHAT CATNIP HERB IS?

It is a herb with fragrance belong to the family of mint and initiated in Northern Africa and the Mediterranean. Catnip now grows typically wild all over North America and Europe.

The leaves of catnip are green with jagged edges. The colour of the catnip flowers is an off-white colour, and they bloom in the late spring season. The stem of catnip contains a substance known as “Nepetalactone” that is an essential or volatile oil.

The catnip does have other names as catmint or cat-wort. Scientifically, it is known as “Nepeta cataria.”

WHAT ARE THE REASONS THAT CATS LIKE CATNIP?

As nepetalactone is an active substance of catnip and cat distinguish the component by smell. It is generally supposed that the main component nepetalactone act like sex pheromones fr the cats. This component is like a female cat is in heat and the cat love to exhibit such behaviour similar to the female cat in heat. Although a male and female cat can show this behaviour.

For cats, the catnip performs as a mood enhancer. The catnip might make the cat to act unusual as the cat may turn out to be more playful or mainly loving. The cat after sniffing the catnip may also roll over, or rub the face. However, the cat may jump and become playful, running from room to room look as if the cat is chasing unseen prey.

While some cats remain calm and gaze into space, this behaviour will produce more mewing and growling. The effects of catnip are short-termed and generally vanished within 5-15 minutes. It will take a couple of hours before the cat will establish the possessions of catnip again.

HOW TO GIVE CATNIP TO CATS?

The catnip products have diversity in forms.

Catnip powder or bulbs can be used to sprinkle on the floor or a toy. Some toys are pre-scented with the catnip or have catnip inside them. Catnip oil or catnip oil sprays are available in the market used to scent a toy or bedding.

The cats usually give a response to a smaller amount of the catnip so not needed to use in high quantity.

Catnip is non-toxic to the cats but sometime may have worse effects on cats like vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, staggering gait if the cat gets in touch with a high quantity of catnip.

If the cat is suffering from a history of asthma, it is better to get veterinarian advice before exposing catnip to the cat, as dried catnip can sometimes cause breathing issues for the cats.

As cats love to enjoy catnip; thus, it makes a great treat to be used during training. It also has positive effects to encourage the cat to have an exercise to make the cat feel relax.

Mostly very young cats, i.e. under three months and older cats do not respond to catnip as much as thought. The cats must be near to sexual maturity to have the effects of catnip. Also, 10-30% cats’ population does not respond to the catnip at all or at any age. This non-observable response to catnip is due to the missing receptors inheritably. Despite the playful nature of the cats, if the receptors are their cats will not respond to the catnip. However, it may take six months before a kitten can have effects of catnip.