Crazy for Catnip

Reprinted with permission of The Humane Society of the United States *  By Arna Cohen

 

To ‘nip or not to ‘nip—that is the question.

‘Tis nobler for kitty owners to follow the dictum of “just say no,” or to grant their pets the occasional sniff of medicinal herbs and, in so doing, liven up their lives?

While some might hesitate to let their cats experiment, experts agree that, for the majority of felines, there’s nothing to ponder: Life is much more interesting with catnip.

A member of the mint family, Nepeta cataria contains nepetalactone, a chemical that takes cats to their crazy place. Scientists don’t know exactly how catnip acts on the feline brain, but they theorize that nepetalactone mimics cats’ “happy” pheromones and stimulates the corresponding neural receptors.

The resulting effects are well-known: A few whiffs can make even the laziest kitty couch potato roll, rub, flip, race around the house, drool, and generally lose his dignity. Catnip revs up almost every cat species, from 400-pound lions to pint-sized sand cats. Tigers seem to be resistant—and not every domestic cat responds. It takes a while for kittens to acquire the taste; an estimated 20 to 30 percent never do.

Catnip sensitivity is hereditary, and if a cat doesn’t possess a genetic predilection for the herb, he will forever turn up his nose. It’s not that he can’t smell it; it simply does nothing for him.

For cats blessed with an affinity for the plant, it can provide variety and stimulation. It can pacify an angry cat or bring a shy one out of his shell.

But before you start thinking of the herb as a panacea for all that might ail your kitty, you need to know how your cat takes his catnip—and how he reacts to it.

Cats get the “catnip crazies” when they sniff the dried plant and inhale the oils, but eating it has a sedative effect. ‘Nipper madness can take a few forms—the drooling fool who rubs himself in it and squints his eyes in delight; the possessed creature who claws the rug, disembowels his toy, and tears around the house; and the occasional ‘nipper tripper who becomes hyped up and territorial, swatting and growling at anyone who tries to get near. After the initial reaction, most cats mellow out for a while, staring blissfully into space.

A cat’s body language will provide clues as to whether she’s enjoying the experience

A catnip episode typically lasts 5 to 10 minutes, after which the cat loses interest. Offering more catnip won’t work; it takes up to an hour or two for her to “reset” and become susceptible again. And the novelty can wear off if she is exposed too often—so don’t overdo the revelry.

‘Nip Tips

The bliss-inducing catnip herb originated in Mediterranean climates and was brought to the New World by colonists as an essential part of their medicine cabinet, used in tea form as a remedy for colds, indigestion, and insomnia. Catnip cat toys were first sold in America just after the turn of the 20th century by A.C. Daniels, a specialist in veterinary medicines who offered hollow wooden balls and loose catnip to fill them. Today’s toys take every shape imaginable, from fish and mice to former presidents. Products are available in all price ranges, from a few dollars for a bag of felt rodents to double digits for a plaything with organically grown herb. Follow these tips to make sure your pet is getting the most out of her foray into catnip.

• The quality and the freshness of the catnip have a lot to do with the intensity of the animal’s experience, says Leon Seidman, founder of Cosmic Pet Products. Low-quality catnip consists mostly of seeds and stems that may not have enough nepetalactone to stimulate a cat. If your ‘nip lover doesn’t react to an inexpensive toy, it may contain old herb or so little of it that your cat can’t detect it, says Seidman. (Or he just may have champagne tastes.)
• Catnip’s potency fades with age, so buy it in small amounts that you’ll use fairly quickly. Catnip also loses strength when exposed to air and light; keep it fresh by storing it in the freezer in an airtight container. If you prefer to use catnip toys, you can refresh them by “marinating” them in loose catnip or spraying them with natural catnip oil.
• Organic catnip is pesticide-free, good for cats who like to nibble their ‘nip. And cat owners with green thumbs can grow their own. A $2 packet of seeds will produce enough plants to keep a cat in nepetalactone clover all summer, with extra to dry for the dark days of winter, when we all need a little stimulation.