- Catnip is a plant that cats are attracted to whether dried or fresh, it is the oil nepetalactone that they inhale that triggers behaviour from your cat.
- Not all cats are bothered by catnip and its affects about 70-80% of cats including lions and tigers too and is hereditary.
- Behaviours include rolling their body around on the floor, dribbling, becoming vocal, highly aroused and sometimes aggressive. If aggression develops then remove safely from your cat.
- This behaviour normally only lasts about 10 minutes.
- Kittens are not bothered by catnip until they reach sexual maturity.
- Catnip is a member of the mint family, which explains why Mr Ringo loves to remove my mint tea bag from my cuppa.
- It is non-addictive and harmless.
- When a cat eats catnip it can calm them down.
- Interestingly there has been recent research suggesting cats roll in catnip not just for pleasure but to protect themselves from mosquito bites, this is extremely useful in the wild when hunting and not wishing to move when stalking due to insect bites. Catnip contains chemicals that protect the plant from aphids.
So just watch your cat when you next have a cuppa of mint tea!
Love and purrs Rachel & Mr Ringo xxx
