What the heck is catnip?

As promised, a discussion on catnip.  One of the most common questions we are asked is "What does catnip do?"  Catnip is a beneficial herb that has been used for centuries in folk medicine for colic, anxiety, sleep disorders, and upset stomach. A compound distilled from catnip, nepetalactone,  is an effective mosquito and fly repellent. Catnip can be used as a calming tea, and even to season food.

Cats, though, are particularly attracted to the scent of catnip. It's believed that catnip produces a stimulatory response in cats, causing them to initially become excited and then quickly to calm down or become mellow. Basically, it turns them on and then they crash.  A small amount of the herb is all it takes to attract cats, which makes it a useful component in scratching pads and cat toys. Catnip can be used to "freshen" up an old scratching pad to make it more attractive to your cat.  Refillable toys, which feature a recloseable inner pouch, are a good value, since you can replace the catnip when it gets stale.

Not all cats are attracted to catnip.  Catnip is not native to Southeast Asia, so cats from that region often have not developed the gene that makes catnip attractive. If your cat is a pure-bred Siamese or Himalayan, it probably will not be attracted to catnip.  However, many big cats, like tigers, leopards, and lions are attracted to catnip, and will exhibit the same behavior your little house cat does - rubbing, rolling, drooling, chewing and licking.

Since your cat will be chewing and licking on catnip, it's important to make sure your catnip is pure and safe.  Certified organic catnip is a good choice. It is guaranteed to be free from chemical herbicides and pesticides which may be toxic to your cat.  You don't want to ruin a fun time with a bunch of nasty chemicals!  Good catnip should be green to brownish-green and have a strong, almost minty, aroma. Obviously, if your cat is attracted to catnip by smell, the best catnip needs to have a strong scent.

If you have any questions about catnip, just post a message below and I'll try to answer it.

Thanks for reading,

Kelly at Cat Claws