Prefer video content? Check out my YouTube video about catnip.
Happy National Catnip Day! What? It’s a real thing.
I am declaring today, April 20th, National Catnip Day for no particular reason at all. Sure, my cat and I might be the only one celebrating it, but hopefully it will catch on. While I’ve gone over catnip alternatives like silver vine and valerian, it’s time to talk about the ‘nip itself.
Catnip is commonly added to many cat products and toys, yet not everyone may know what exactly it is. Will catnip cause your cat to lose their mind? Can they become addicted to it? Should somebody call Nancy Reagan and alert her to this dangerous new plant that’s intoxicating our kitties?!
No need to freak out (and you can’t call Nancy unless you’re planning on holding a seance) because catnip isn’t something shady. Your cat will thank you for taking the time to learn what it really is.
What Is Catnip?
Catnip is known in scientific circles as Nepeta cataria. It’s in the same family as the mint plant and, much like mint, is sometimes made into tea for human consumption. There are other plants in the Nepeta genus that cats will also respond to so plants from the genus are often referred to as catmint.
Catnip plants can grow pretty big under the right conditions and will produce tiny flowers. It can be grown indoors or outdoors. For outdoor planting, it’s hardy to zone 3. Most of Minnesota is in zones 3 or 4 so if you plant catnip outside, it will likely come back the next year.
Catnip can be grown from seed or propagated by dividing mature plants. You can even try taking a cutting and rooting it in water before transferring it to soil. I’ve done this before with a catnip plant from my mom’s garden. Sweet Zoloft got all the fresh catnip he desired that summer.
Why Do Cats Like Catnip?
Cats love catnip, but why exactly does it make them go bananas? The secret is a substance called nepetalacone. Nepetalactone is part of a family of chemicals called iridoids that, among other properties, may be involved in helping plants keep pests at bay. While this may not be what the cats are thinking of when they roll around in the ‘nip, catnip may help protect cats from pests like mosquitoes.
Chances are your cat isn’t thinking about mosquitoes when they’re enjoying a bit of catnip, however. They’re likely just having a good time.
Even though one of the behaviors cats will exhibit is trying to eat the catnip, it’s actually the cats inhaling the nepetalactone that causes its psychoactive effects. Resisting my urge to get too nerdy about exactly what happens, the cats detect the nepetalactone via special scent cells in their nasal cavity. This sets off a cascade of signals to different parts of the brain that eventually reach behavior centers.
Cats’ Vices
In particular, areas involved in sexual response are activated and your cat begins to act as if they’ve just seen a particularly sexy lady/gentleman cat walk by (or, more accurately, they’ve sniffed said sexy lady/gentleman cat’s pheromones).
Basically, catnip is kind of like an olfactory “adult video” for cats.
Interestingly, drug used in humans to treat overdoses of opioids can affect responses to catnip. Administering naloxone has reduced the responses of cats to catnip. Naloxone works by blocking opioid receptors so it’s likely that opioid receptors in cats play at least somewhat of a role in cats’ response to the ‘nip.
What Does Catnip Do To Cats?
Seeing as cats have the sexual centers of their brains activated by catnip, it probably comes as no surprise that many of the behaviors cats exhibit are similar to those of female cats in heat. Even male cats will act like female cats in heat when exposed to catnip.
Common Behaviors Observed
Behaviors you may observe in your cat include:
- Rolling around
- Rubbing against things
- Increased vocalizations such as meowing or purring
- Drooling
- Flopping around like a fish
Basically, your cat is going to get really silly. They might also look a little drunk.
Your cat will most likely become more playful and affectionate, though some cats can become aggressive though this is less common. For the majority of cats that respond to the ‘nip, they’ll have a really good time. If you haven’t given your cat some catnip yet, be careful the first time as a precaution.
In younger cats or senior cats, you may not see as much of a response. Usually, cats won’t respond to catnip until at least 6 months of age, though for some it can be about a year before they respond. Older cats may also not respond as robustly as younger cats.
How To Give Your Cat Catnip
Cats tend to have a better response to fresh catnip than they do to older stuff. If you don’t want to grow your own, there are plenty of sources of catnip available. You can get it in a spray form (including a spray with both calming pheromones and catnip), loose leaves, or even a super potent ground catnip powder. You can even order live plants if you’d like.
Or, if you’re feeling like continuing the ~human catnip~ theme, you can order a hydroponic-ish herb garden kit (it’s not exactly hydroponic, but it’s similar) and simply pop in a few catnip pods. What a time to be a cat, am I right?
My favorite ‘nip is from Meowy Janes. They’re who I use with Z and with clients’ cats so if you’re looking for a good, reliable brand of catnip, they’re who I recommend trying first.
Other reliable brands include Yeowww! and Meowijuana. Just make sure you get the fresh stuff regardless of brand.
Toys With The ‘Nip
And of course, there are toys with catnip in. Yeowww!’s catnip banana toys are REALLY strong and a very consistently popular you among most cats. A more sustainable option comes from the Kind Pet. Their toys, which come in a kicker, pyramid, snake, or stingray, are made from hemp and feature non-plastic parts. Good for the earth, good for your cat!
The best thing about catnip? For most cats, it’s completely safe. Cats don’t become addicted to catnip and if you give it to them too frequently, they won’t respond. So go ahead, go give your cat some ‘nip guilt free! Your cat will thank you.
