Catnip – what is it for and the reaction of cats

The intriguing herb catnip can have an unexpected impact on a lot of cats. This plant, which belongs to the mint family, has an ingredient in it called nepetalactone. Cats frequently react in humorous and sometimes playful ways when they come into contact with catnip.

More than just a fun treat, catnip can be a source of stimulation for many felines. Certain cats might purr, roll, or even exhibit signs of hyperactivity. It’s a special encounter that can make the cat and their owner happy.

You can give your pet a more engaging environment by being aware of the effects of catnip. It’s important to know what to anticipate whether you plan to introduce it for playtime or investigate its advantages.

Description of the plant

Lemon catnip grows in the Caucasus, East Asia, Western Siberia, Central, Eastern, and Western Europe.

Visually, the plant resembles regular mint almost exactly. However, menthol is found in peppermint, and nepetalactone is found in catnip. These plants have distinct scents because of this. There are notes of lemon in the scent of catnip.

The plant has heart-shaped leaves that are a light green color with occasional white or pink inclusions. Tiny flowers are gathered in a brush. They come in pink, purple, or white hues. Catnip stems are very long. They form dense thickets as they spread out over the ground and entwine with one another. There are currently 200 or so species of this plant.

Cats enjoy hanging out in catnip thickets. These types of locations typically allow you to see over a dozen animals at once. They are affected by the scent of catnip in a way that is akin to that of valerian. The animals appear to experience euphoria. They can exhibit extremely odd behavior at the same time.

The principle of influence on a cat

Essential oils enter an animal’s respiratory system when it inhales the scent of the plant. A signal is then transmitted to the brain’s hypothalamus from that location. The cat exhibits odd behavior as a result of transient hallucinations. The animal starts to play, roll around on the floor, purr, jump, and lick. This behavior is akin to that of a kitten.

The cat calms down and is able to fall asleep after the effect lasts for ten to fifteen minutes. This is roughly thirty minutes long. The response can then be repeated. The opposite may occur if the cat attempts to taste catnip.

Animals are impacted by the plant in various ways. A sluggish cat can get animated. Furthermore, it’s possible that the catnip will cause an active animal to become passive. The owners shouldn’t be concerned about this. When it’s time to quit chewing or sniffing the plant, the animal knows it instinctively.

Crucial! Catnip is not addictive and doesn’t contain any narcotics.

How to use catnip

Certain pet owners think that catnip is bad for the nervous system of their animals. This is a false impression. On the other hand, catnip can help eliminate a variety of issues, including psychological ones. Catnip is useful in the following scenarios:

• the pet has an aggressive character – it is enough to give him a little dried catnip.
• the cat is very playful and is capable of turning everything upside down in the house, the plant will have a calming effect on him;
• it is necessary to accustom the animal to the litter box – you should put a little dry catnip under the container. The smell will attract the cat"s attention, and the learning process will be faster and easier;
• the owner is going on a trip with the pet, or a visit to the veterinary clinic is planned – we recommend putting a few sprigs of catnip in the carrier bag, this will help relieve stress in the animal;
• the cat has recently appeared in the house and it needs to get used to the new home, it is recommended to put the sprigs of the plant in the area of ​​​​its sleeping place;
• the animal is passive and lethargic – a little catnip placed in toys will amuse it;
• the pet has a stomach cramp – the bactericidal properties of catnip will help solve the problem;
• the animal refuses to eat – catnip will increase its appetite;
• the cat sharpens its claws on furniture and ignores the scratching post – you should carefully open the casing of the scratching post, place the sprigs of the plant inside it and sew it up. The animal will smell the mint and leave the furniture alone. This is one of the most effective ways to accustom to the scratching post.

Take note! Cats with helminthic invasion are shown cats mint. The plant stops helminths from reproducing.

You can use dried or fresh catnip. The plant keeps all of its characteristics when it is stored.

Contraindications

Cats can instinctively determine which herbs to eat and how much of them. However, the pet’s owner bears responsibility for it. Consequently, you ought not to trust the animal’s intuition if:

• the cat is pregnant;
• the pet reacts too violently to the action of catnip. In this case, excessive consumption of the herb can deplete the animal"s nervous system. A violent reaction should be understood as agitated behavior of the cat for more than half an hour with excessive physical activity.

You should restrict the pet’s access to catnip in these situations. Other than that, there are no other reasons not to take catnip. However, if there are multiple cats living in a single home, and one of them is a male, it must be considered that the plant may cause it to become hostile. Catnip can therefore only be given to cats apart from other cats.

Because of a naturally occurring chemical called nepetalactone, catnip causes many cats to react in a playful and occasionally relaxed way. Cats love to roll around, jump, or even just lounge calmly when they smell it or chew on it, which makes it a popular method of entertaining or calming them. Catnip causes some cats to react, but for those that do, it’s a safe and enjoyable way to keep them entertained or active.

Why a cat does not react to catnip

Certain cats are not affected by catnip. The animal’s potential or actual susceptibility to the plant is determined by a specific gene in its body. This is normal for one in three people.

Catnip has no effect on kittens who have not reached puberty. Still, they don’t require it. Cats are naturally quite gregarious. Giving them catnip before they are six months old is pointless.

If an animal is extremely stressed, it might not respond to catnip. Consequently, it’s best to give your pet catnip ahead of time if something that could negatively impact its emotional state is about to happen so that it has time to calm down.

The low concentration of essential oil in the plant may also account for the animal’s insensitivity. Typically, it contains up to 3%, but if the plant did not receive enough light, this percentage could drop.

How to grow catnip in a pot – step-by-step instructions

Catnip grows naturally in fields, forests, bushes, meadows, vegetable gardens, riverbanks, and close to roads. You can grow the plant in a pot indoors so you can take better care of your pet at home. Keep in mind that catnip enjoys light, moisture, and warmth. The performance of the plant may suffer if any of these elements are missing.

Any pet store will sell seeds to grow your own catnip. However, it is preferable to take a rooted shoot, which is readily available on the street, or a cutting. The cutting needs to be kept in a glass of water until the roots start to show. A medium-sized container should be your first choice when selecting a pot.

Planting the plant in the early fall is advised. After that, you should follow this order of action:

1. Pour drainage into the pot.
2. Fill the container halfway with soil, which should be pre-moistened.
3. Plant seeds or seedlings in the ground.
4. Cover the pot with film, creating greenhouse conditions.
5. Place the container in a lighted place.

In two weeks, sprouts should start to show. The plant needs to be fed once the first leaves appear. Selecting the strongest shoots and making room for their growth are necessary. Wire is required to secure the stems. Catnip should bloom about 2.5 months after planting if given the right care.

Take note! The plant pot needs to be put somewhere the cat cannot get to. If not, the animal will harm the sprouts and cause the catnip to wither away.

In February, when the number of daylight hours increases and the catnip plant starts to grow actively, you should fertilize it again. Make sure the catnip receives adequate light. If not, the leaves’ concentration of essential oils will drop.

To prevent the soil from drying out in the summer, catnip should not be kept in direct sunlight. There should always be water in the tray because the plant loves moisture.

A harmless and enjoyable way to pique your cat’s senses is with catnip. While not all cats respond to it, for those that do, it can be a really enjoyable and calming experience. Many cats enjoy this simple treat in moderation.

In addition to being used recreationally, catnip can be useful for training or relieving cats of tension. It’s a helpful tool for you and your pet, whether it’s in the form of a toy, spray, or fresh product.

As usual, keep an eye on your cat’s response to make sure they don’t overindulge. A small amount of catnip can make a big difference in your feline friend’s day!

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