Everyone knows that cats go crazy over catnip. But what is it about this herb that makes cats lose their minds? Read on to find out more.
What Exactly is Catnip?

Catnip was originally native to Europe and Asia but now grows wild in many countries alongside roads and highways.
©MNStudio/Shutterstock.com
Catnip is a type of plant that is scientifically known as Nepeta cataria, which is a member of the mint family. The active ingredient in catnip is nepetalactone. This plant produces the chemical nepetalactone in tiny, microscopic bulbs that coat the plant’s leaves, seedpods, and stems. Whenever the small bulbs are ruptured, they release this chemical into the air. The smell of this chemical is what cats go crazy for. But did you know that not every cat is affected by catnip? Only about 50% of cats will have any sort of reaction when exposed to it.
Catnip was originally native to Europe and Asia, but it now grows wild in many countries alongside roads and highways. If you want to identify the plant, it is a grayish-green color with jagged, heart-shaped leaves, and its stems are thick and covered in fuzzy hairs.
How Does Catnip Affect Cats?

Cats may lick, chew, or rub up against catnip, behaviors that release nepetalactone.
©iStock.com/BiancaGrueneberg
Chemical Romance
Many experts believe that the chemical Nepetalactone acts as a feline attractant that triggers strong responses in cats. Once your cat gets a whiff of catnip, it may begin to act strange.
Your cat may rub its face around the catnip, roll around on its back, chew, rub, or kick it around. If the catnip is in a toy and you see your cat chewing on it or batting it around, it is to help release more of the oil that was produced by the plant’s leaves.
When the smell of catnip enters your cat’s nose, it binds to the receptors that line the nasal cavity. These receptors activate sensory neurons that stimulate different parts of the cat’s brain when exposed to various scents.
Short and Sweet
The parts of the brain that tend to activate in your cat when exposed to catnip are the same parts that regulate emotion and behavior. This is why it appears as though your cat is going crazy, but it is completely harmless. The effects of catnip wear off after about 10 or 15 minutes, though the amount of catnip you give your cat and how your cat consumes it will ultimately determine its response.
Typically, the more your cat eats or inhales the catnip, the stronger the cat’s response will be. If your cat is only playing with a cat toy that is infused with catnip, the impact on its behavior may not be as strong. Its reaction also depends on how sensitive your feline friend is to catnip, as some may not react at all.
Some cats may become hyperactive after being exposed to catnip, while others may appear to mellow out. There’s no need to worry about your cat playing with it for too long, as they will normally walk away from it when they’ve had enough.
Kittens don’t react to catnip until they are anywhere from three to six months old. The research has found that a kitten that has only one catnip-sensitive parent will have a one-in-two chance of inheriting the sensitivity themselves. Kittens born to two parents with a sensitivity to catnip, increase their chances to three-in-four. So don’t be surprised if you purchase catnip or a catnip-infused toy and your cat doesn’t have a hilarious reaction.
How to Use Catnip Safely at Home

Grow your own! Catnip is easy to grow and a lovely addition to a home garden.
©Attila Fedyk/Shutterstock.com
Herbal Procurement
So let’s say you want to purchase some catnip for your cat to play with. What is the safest way to do this? Well, most catnip you find at your local pet store will be perfectly safe for your cat to enjoy.
You’ll want to decide if you’d rather purchase the loose catnip herb or if you want to buy a cat toy that is infused with the scent of the plant. Either one you choose will have almost the same sort of effect on your cat as long as it has the sensitivity, to begin with.
Catnip is commonly used as a way to encourage playful behavior in cats, but keep in mind that some cats can get aggressive or territorial when exposed to it.
You might find that your cat begins to hiss at you or any other pet you may have in your household if you or the other pets come near it while it’s playing. If that happens, simply let your cat burn itself out on the catnip before you try to take the toy away. Normally, the effects of catnip are short-lived so you shouldn’t have to wait too long.
If you’re using the loose kind, be sure not to give your cat too much from the start. It’s not common for a cat to overdose on catnip but if it ingests too much of the plant, it can have an upset stomach. Be sure to monitor your cat while it plays just to be sure that it’s having fun and not overdoing it.
Training Aid
Catnip can also be used as a way to help train your cat for certain behaviors. For example, you can place a small amount of catnip on or near a new scratching post to encourage your cat to scratch there rather than on your new sofa.
This creates a positive association and further encourages the correct behavior. Catnip can also be used as a way to help your cat destress. You can give your cat a small amount when you know it will be exposed to a stressful situation or environment, like going to the vet.
You may even try placing a small catnip toy inside of the cat carrier with it if your cat has a fear of being inside its cage. This might help to keep it occupied and reduce its anxiety levels.
Although catnip is non-toxic to cats, as we mentioned before, you want to be sure not to let your cat overindulge in it. If your cat experiences vomiting or diarrhea after playing with catnip, it may have had too much. Keep an eye on your pet and always rotate its toys so that it doesn’t get bored of them. You can even experiment with adding a bit of catnip to one of your cat’s interactive toys to make it even more fun.
It’s also important to note that when purchasing loose catnip, be aware that dried catnip doesn’t contain as much of the oil, nepetalactone, as fresh catnip. You also have the option to grow your own catnip at home or in your own yard. If you want to keep it fresh throughout the year, try freezing it in an airtight container.
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