We’re all aware that most cats are crazy about catnip. But, of course, some of you might already have catnip at home for your furballs. This article’s notion is to give you some extra facts on what catnip is and how it influences cats.
What is Catnip and What Does it Do to Cats?
Catnip refers to a herb from the genus Nepeta or Nepeta cataria. It is a member of the mint circle of relatives and grows broadly in Europe, Asia, and North America. It grows in the wild and in human-made gardens.
Like many plant life, catnip includes oils that offer a wonderful scent; nepetalactone is the oil cats love. Other vegetation has a catnip-like effect, like the silver vine and Tatarian honeysuckle wood.
The nepetalactone from catnip brings in all the changes in the cat’s behavior when it enters the nostrils. When a cat smells or eats catnip, nepetalactone enters the body. It triggers the amygdala, which controls emotions, and the hypothalamus, which controls hormones.
Catnip is often used on cats to help them de-stress. Nepetalactone from catnip acts as a pheromone to cats, so cats sometimes behave like female cats on heat.
How Does a Cat Act on Catnip?
The results range from cat to cat. Some can be extra comfy, appearing calmer and laid back. Others can become hyperactive, wherein they run, jump and roll around, meow loudly, drool, growl or maybe emerge as a hint competitive.
Any behavioral modifications are brief-lived, lasting around 10 minutes or so, and then the cat returns to its usual state. After this, a cat will input a ‘refractory duration’ of an hour where catnip will have no impact on them.
Some cats don’t react to catnip at all.
Why Doesn’t My Cat Like Catnip?
To respond to catnip, a cat needs specific genes and functions, with genes that are hereditary playing a considerable role. Unfortunately, 20-40% of cats do not have genes that react to catnip, or the genes can be highly suppressed. If you’ve tried to provide your cat catnip before and they did not seem to respond, your cat may be one such cat who doesn’t like catnip. Likewise, kittens may not react to catnip. Many also recognize that more youthful kittens and older cats do not respond to catnip.
If you are a responsible pet owner, you must consider everything your furry buddy might need to live a happy and healthy life. It would help if you always take your cat for a regular check-up and ensure your furball is getting regular exercise staying hydrated.
You will also have good Pet Insurance NZ because medical expenses for pets are increasing. If you already have Pet Insurance NZ, that’s great, but if you don’t have a policy, get one soon because it will benefit your furry buddy much more than catnip and your bank balance even more so
If you have Cat Insurance NZ, you can make sure you take your cat for regular health check-ups and tend to any treatments for accidents or illness quickly and easily. Isn’t that good?
