What Is It and Why Do Cats Love It So Much?

Catnip is a plant scientifically known as Nepeta cataria that originates from Southern and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. It was introduced to North America artificially. In the past, people used catnip for various medicinal purposes such as digestive tea or combining it with tobacco for stomach aches, cramps, fever, and rash. Even today, humans brew tea from catnip to cure anxiety and provide a calming effect.

Catnip contains a substance called nepetalactone, a volatile oil that binds to a cat’s olfactory receptors and causes temporary euphoria. This compound is also used as an insect repeller for mosquitoes, termites, and roaches. Research suggests that around two-thirds of cats are attracted to catnip, and it does not have an effect on kittens younger than 6 months. Some believe this attraction is due to catnip mimicking sexual pheromones. While there are conflicting reports on the effects of catnip on certain big cat species, it affects domestic cats and other felines like leopards, cougars, lynxes, and servals in a similar manner.

When a cat encounters catnip, the volatile particles bind to olfactory receptors in the cat’s nose, sending a signal to the brain areas responsible for regulating emotions, leading to joy and euphoria. This behavior can manifest in dilated pupils, rubbing against surfaces, strange vocalizations, and other unusual behaviors. The euphoric state typically lasts about 10-12 minutes for most cats.

Catnip can also be grown at home from seeds in regular pots, offering a way for cats to experience its effects through ingestion. By eating catnip grass, cats may exhibit calm behavior, drowsiness, or even drooling. Catnip can be used as a relaxant during times of stress for cats, such as major changes in the household or introducing a new animal. It can also be used as a training aid for various behaviors like potty training, adjusting to new furniture, or correcting inappropriate urination habits.

In summary, catnip is a versatile plant that can provide joy and relaxation for cats while also offering potential benefits for stress relief and behavior modification. Its effects on felines, both domestic and wild, showcase the intriguing relationship between plants and animals in nature.