What does catnip do

Trust your kitty to know when they've had enough. Sign up to receive our exclusive e-book full of training techniques, problem-solving and important information about caring for your pet. Catnip isn't just for cats! It's been grown in medicinal gardens for centuries for its sedative effect on humans. Made into a tea, catnip has calming properties similar to chamomile.

Concentrated nepetalactone also makes for a powerful mosquito repellent. The only hitch is that it lasts just a few hours. Catnip does lose its potency over time, so store it in the freezer in an airtight container for maximum effect. Catnip Toys on Amazon. KONG catnip products. Home News Views. What Does Catnip Do to Cats? Published: November 03, What Is Catnip?

Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb that is a member of the mint family. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article.

What did you find helpful? What was not helpful? Say more Sign me up for the PetMD Newsletter. The organic compound in catnip, nepetalactone, is what gives cats these bizarre reactions. It is released when the plant is crushed, chewed or when your cat rubs up against it. Nobody quite understands why it causes strange effects in cats, but some scientists believe that the brain interprets them as cat pheromones which causes their behaviour to go haywire.

Aside from this, it acts as a natural mood enhancer, which may explain why cats like catnip so much! The researchers also noticed that both kittens and senior cats are less likely to be affected as well. Catnip can be effectively used to encourage your cat to adopt good behaviour.

If your indoor cat needs extra exercise, you can make playtime even more exciting by tucking a bit of catnip in their favourite toys.

Catnip can also be great to encourage your cat to interact with certain toys. If your cat adopts the sedated reaction as opposed to the hyperactive response to the plant you can also use catnip for cats that are anxious about traveling in the car. Sprinkle catnip in their carrier to help them make it through the journey stress-free.

There is no evidence that catnip can be harmful to your dear feline. Experts believe overdosing is unlikely as cats are quite good at limiting their intake. If they happen to eat a large amount of the herb, they may experience mild tummy upset, but as most cats are attracted to the smell rather than the taste, this is unlikely to happen. Cats love catnip, but what about us?

Are we affected in similar ways? Now you know what catnip is and why your feline goes crazy for it! Learn what different cat noises mean , next. We believe people and pets are 'Better Together'.