Everything you wanted to know about catnip (and maybe some stuff you didn't!)



Catnip is known botanically as Nepeta Cataria. The plant is in the mint family and grows in temperate climates around the world. Not all catnip is the same. Because the plant is affected by its growing conditions, many different types of catnip are available and each type has a different taste.





How does catnip affect my cat?
Given to the right cat, catnip can cause an amazing reaction! The cat will rub it, roll over it, kick at it, and generally go nuts for several minutes. Then the cat will lose interest and walk away. Two hours later, the cat may come back and have exactly the same response.

Because there really isn't any scent that causes this sort of reaction in humans, catnip is hard for us to understand. However, it is not an uncommon behavior in animals that rely heavily on their noses. For example, there are many scents that will trigger intense hunting behavior in dogs, and other scents will cause dogs to stop in their tracks and roll all over the scent.

Although no one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain, it is known that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the response. Apparently, it somehow kicks off a stereotypical pattern in cats that are sensitive to the chemical. The catnip reaction is inherited, and some cats are totally unaffected by it. Large cats like tigers can be sensitive to it as well.

The reaction to catnip only lasts a few minutes. Then the cat acclimates to it, and it can take an hour or two away from catnip for the cat to "reset." Then, the same reaction can occur again. Very young kittens and older cats seem less likely to have a reaction to catnip.



Is catnip bad for my cat?
Catnip and valerian, which has a similar effect on cats, are completely harmless herbs.

The only possible negative effect is your cat being fatigued from playing with it and then needing to rest.

Also, in large quantities, catnip could be dangerous for your cat. [nokaredes]



Can I grow catnip?
Yes. In fact if you live in North America, it is very common and can sometimes be found growing in your backyard.

Here is some information about growing it:
Cultivation and Propagation: It is easily cultivated in any garden soil, with little care, as the plant does not require the moisture that most mint plants need. Plants should be grown from seed sown where they are going to stand. Bruised or recently transplanted plants are likely to be eaten by cats unless protected. The seed should be sown very thinly in rows 20 inches apart and the seedlings thinned out to 20 inches apart in the rows. It requires almost no care except occasional weeding. A bed will last several years. It can also be propagated by division of the roots in spring.

Harvesting: The herb is harvested just before flowering in middle to late summer on a dry sunny day and in late morning when all dew is gone. Drying should be done carefully. The leaves are stripped from the stems and dried as quickly as possible with good ventilation out of direct sunlight, or in an oven at 150 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid losing much volatile oil.

Catnip (like most other plants in the mint family) will take over a yard and could become a problem. It is better to grow it in a pot. [nokaredes]



Catnip in Toys
Catnip is commonly incorporated into cat toys. It may be applied to the surface of scratch posts to attract a cat’s interest. Available in dried form and marketed as a cat treat, it is by no means necessary for the well-being of any cat. Catnip may be grown in indoor gardens, providing a fresh supply and to distract cats from chewing ornamental houseplants.

The best sort of catnip toys you can buy are those which can be "re-stuffed" with more catnip. Be wary of those that aren't; the catnip in the toy may be old and therefore not as interesting to your cat.



Catnip Trivia
In the 17th and 18th centuries catnip tea was believed to have medicinal powers and was often prescribed by doctors in Europe and the Unites States for various ailments.

All the big cats, including lions and tigers, react to catnip just the way our little cats do. In fact, some zoos give their big cats catnip as part of a general program of environmental enrichment.


Information gathered from various websites. 

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