| Paw Colors | Points |
|---|---|
| Grey | 0-49 |
| Red | 50-149 |
| Orange | 150-299 |
| Green | 300-599 |
| Magenta | 600-1499 |
| Purple | 1500-4999 |
| Blue | 5000-9999 |
| Brown | 10000-24999 |
| Black | 25000+ |
Just wondering?
Keywords: catnip
Answers to this question
11 Answers
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Yes, Catnip really does make most cats playful.
From: http://science.howstuffworks.com/question303.htm/printable
How does catnip work?
“Catnip” is the common name for a perennial herb of the mint family. It is native to Europe and is an import to the United States and other countries. The catnip plant is now a widespread weed in North America.
Given to the right cat, catnip can cause an amazing reaction! The cat will rub it, roll over it, kick at it, and generally go nuts for several minutes. Then the cat will lose interest and walk away. Two hours later, the cat may come back and have exactly the same response.
Because there really isn’t any scent that causes this sort of reaction in humans, catnip is hard for us to understand. However, it is not an uncommon behavior in animals that rely heavily on their noses. For example, there are many scents that will trigger intense hunting behavior in dogs, and other scents will cause dogs to stop in their tracks and roll all over the scent.
Although no one knows exactly what happens in the cat’s brain, it is known that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the response. Apparently, it somehow kicks off a stereotypical pattern in cats that are sensitive to the chemical. The catnip reaction is inherited, and some cats are totally unaffected by it. Large cats like tigers can be sensitive to it as well.
The reaction to catnip only lasts a few minutes. Then the cat acclimates to it, and it can take an hour or two away from catnip for the cat to “reset.” Then, the same reaction can occur again. Very young kittens and older cats seem less likely to have a reaction to catnip.
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you guys might think this is gross but i actually tasted some catnip and it tastes like chewing gum
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Garfield... that's funny! In all my years of owning cats I don't think I've ever tasted catnip! LOL! It is a herb though and it is edible! It belongs to the mint family.
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Ive tasted catnip! DISGUSTING!
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Yes, most cats get sort of hyper when they eat catnip. Not all cats though. And it doesn’t effect kittens younger then 4 months.
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Catnip, is a member of the Mint family of aromatic herbs.Catnip may have any or all of the following effects on your cat:
– meow and roll in the catnip
– rub their cheeks against the spot where catnip has been sprinkled
– get into silly positions such as on their back with paws extended, gazing up at the ceiling
– run around the room like a kitten playing with its invisible friend
– settle into a dreamy, sleepy silly pose and not move for awhile.The response to catnip is an inherited dominant trait, it is genetic and your kitten or cat must have the appropriate genes. Approximately 15% of all cats do not respond to catnip. Cats which are less than 6 months old almost never respond to catnip regardless of their genes.
So if you have a kitten and they don’t care for it they might when they get a bit older.
I hope this helps, Tasia.
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nice answer but i think you were a little wrong in ur answer. cat nip actually affects about 75% of cats
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Johnisgood... it would be more helpful of you to provide answers instead of judgin others and giving everyone negatives.
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WOW! Only 15% I thought it was more.
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Yeah, Johnisgood, Kat is right. You are always being mean to everyone. For once in your life, say something nice! I challenge you, say something nice to the person you are about to say something nagative to. Thanks! :)
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That is a great answer. But i have a question, should you give it to them to eat or just stuft in a toy. Cuz there is a warning label on some that says "keep up away from your cat. Could make them very ill" So just wondering cuz i dont give it to mine as a treat I do in his toys though.
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i think that some cats get skittsi. but some lazy cats like mine, just lick it and lay on it. i also agree with miana_sp
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My cat adores catnip. Last year, i grew a pot of catnip, and my cat ate it all!
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my cat will roll all over, meow, and scratch and claw just to get some catnip!
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