Catnip is an herb that is, as its name suggests, very attractive to cats. It is a member of the mint family, and it's leaves and stems are fuzzy, like sage. This particular herb belongs to the same plant family as mint and is sometimes called catmint as a result.
Cultivation and Uses
Easy to cultivate, catnip will spread rapidly, like any mint. If the leaves are crushed or bruised, an aromatic volatile oil will be released, and it will quickly attract any cat in the vicinity, who will eat the bruised plant. People who grow this herb in the garden may need to protect it with wire mesh.
Catnip has long been a specific remedy for colds, bronchitis and insomnia. An infusion of the herb can be prepared by steeping the leaves in water that has been boiled. The active ingredients of catnip are quickly dissipated, so the leaves should not be boiled in the water, and the pot should be covered to retain the steam. Catnip has an antispasmodic effect, and is therefore useful against diarrhea, cramps and colic. It is mild enough to give to children.
This herb can also be added to salads as a savory green. If it is grown to be dried for home use, the top of the plant should be collected when it is in full flower, and it can be dried by hanging it in bunches, out of the reach of any household cats. Certain properties in catnip have been shown to be effective at repelling insects, another reason why people might like to have some growing in the garden. There is even recent research that shows that wood treated with the essential oil will not be bothered by termites, although the effects are so far short lived, due to the volatile nature of the oil.
If purchasing dried catnip, consumers will want to store it in the refrigerator or even the freezer if they have cats. Cats can smell it through the stoutest of plastic, and have been known to climb onto shelves, open cabinets and even open drawers to get to it. They can be given a bit of it in the form of a few spoonfuls in the end of an old sock that has been tied closed. The cats will have the sock in shreds in no time, and it can be quite hilarious to watch.
Effects of Catnip on Cats
The effects of catnip on cats include sedative, stimulating, or aphrodisiac effects, depending on each individual cat's genetic predisposition to catnip reactions. A specific chemical called nepetalactone reacts with the receptors of cats' noses and can produce noticeable behavior changes for a certain amount of time. Catnip on cats has relatively the same effects on males and females, and most veterinarians report that different domestic cat species usually have similar reactions to catnip.
Catmint can be ingested as well as inhaled, and the effect of catnip on cats who eat this aromatic herb is often more calming. Some cat owners wonder if eating catnip is safe, but the herb is non-toxic and harmless to the animals. Many cats can sit or lay in the same position for a noticeable length of time soon after eating catnip, and some owners report that their pets seem to be in a fixed trance until the catnip wears off. Veterinarians often recommend that owners spread a small amount of catnip on their cats' beds or scratching post platforms. Catnip mixed into cat food can lead to stomach upsets or changed eating habits in some cats.
Cats who inhale catnip often tend to be hyperactive as a result. They can chase imaginary prey, jump at the air, roll around on the floor, play with their owners or other cats, or meow at higher volumes than usual. Some cats can also be more aggressive or territorial as a side effect of catnip. This behavior is somewhat more common in male cats.
Significant effects of catnip on cats only appear in about half of all cats. This is due to an inherited trait. Tigers, lions, cougars, and other wild cats can also have similar reactions to catnip.
Some cat owners report that their pets who have been exposed to catnip show behavior traits similar to animals in heat. This behavior can appear in male or female cats, an occurrence that animal experts do not fully understand. These particular side effects of catnip on cats can often happen regardless of whether cats have been spayed or neutered. Kittens born to at least one parent who reacts strongly to catnip generally have higher chances of having the same reactions when they get older, as catnip only affects cats older than three to four months.