Catnip and Cats
Catnip and Cats - Catnip is a perennial herb, Nepeta cateria, a member of the mint family. Catnip is non addictive and is completely safe for cats.
The behavior catnip produces is short-lived, lasting normally only a few minutes. The intensity varies widely among cats and the catnip response affects all of the cat's senses - touch, smell, sight, sound, and taste. Responses may include:
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Body, cheek or chin rubbing
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Purring
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Rolling Around
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Sense of Euphoria
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Sneezing
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Sniffing
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Licking and chewing
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Head shaking
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Eating the catnip
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Mewing
No one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain when given catnip. It is known that a chemical in the catnip, nepetalactone, triggers the response, initiating a typical pattern in cats that react to catnip. Whether a cat responds to catnip is genetically determined and up to one third of adult cats are totally unaffected by catnip. Kittens do not respond to catnip until they are about three to four months of age.
Catnip is not essential for the well-being of cats, but it is pleasant, safe, and fun. There are various ways that you can provide your cat with catnip as follows:
Fresh Catnip - as a perennial herb, catnip can be grown every year in a section of your garden or yard. It can also be grown indoors or outdoors in a pot. Cats will eat the leaves right off of the plant or you can take leaves off of the catnip plants to give to your cat. If you are growing it in your yard, you might find that it attracts a number of the neighborhood cats. If you grow it indoors, be sure to keep it locked away from kitty! Plants and seeds are often available from florist or garden stores. Catnip can also be found growing in the wild.
Dried Catnip - is commonly available at pet specialty stores or on this website where we feature Cosmic Wild Mountain Organic Catnip. This brand is all natural, certified organic, 100% pure, and is made only from choice catnip herb leaves and tops ensuring high quality and loads of feline fun. Cosmic Wild Mountain Organic Catnip is barn cured and air dried.
Catnip Spray - is a catnip extract that you spray on toys or scratchers to make them more attractive to your cat. Catnip Extract Spray can also be used to refresh old toys and scratchers.
Catnip Toys - some cat toys have catnip added to enhance the enjoyment of the toy. The Cat Toys and Scratchers section of this site has an excellent selection.
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