"" -
Cat Categories
Paw Rating System
Rating is based on the overall value of your answers and comments. (Learn more) Below is a breakdown of the paw levels:
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+
Denotes Expert Feedback
Ask a Question

What’s CATNIP?

8 Answers  |  Asked By: catluvergirl95   656   

Too mush talk about catnip, and i honestly do not know what is it?

Keywords:  

Answers to this question

8 Answers
Answer 1
kitty

6

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.

By: Kat   2688  |  3 Comments to Answer
 

Comments to Answer

kitty

6

For what possible reason would this answer, or any others here, get a negative?

By: Kat   2688
kitty

0

wow. i never knew there was a way to make catnip sound so scientific!

By: billywilly   28
kitty

-1

ya me 2 billy willy!

By: toby66   804

Answer 2
kitty

3

hello catluvergirl
Catnip is a perennial herb. It is a member of the Mint family Labiatae, it is also a distant relation of marijuana. It is well known for it’s ability to get cat’s high. It is native to Europe & Asia.

Catnip become naturalised in America & Canada after being introduced. There are approximately 250 species of Catnip. Also quite a few hybrid species so more than 250. Some of the more readily available ones are:

Nepeta cataria/Nepeta camphorata/Nepeta parnassica/Nepeta cataria citriodora(lemon scent).

When sniffed, catnip will stimulate kitty, however when eaten it will act as a sedative

Hope it helps!

Source Link: Catnip - Everything You Need to Know About Catnip!

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

2

it's okay. Even if catnip is related to marijauna, it won't hurt your cats like human drugs.

kitty

-1

it's okay. Even if catnip is related to marijauna, it won't hurt your cats like human drugs.

kitty

0

thanks mischief that helped me alot! :)

By: toby66   804

Answer 3
kitty

0

Catnip is a special herb that cats LOVE. When a cat or kitten smells it , he or she become a bit more hyper. So basically, it’s a herb that cats love and it makes them hyper whhen they smell it. The reaction only lasts for a few minutes. You can buy catnip for your cat at a pet store. When you get catnip for your cat you can have a lot of fun with it. (cats acting crazy are cute, exiting, and funny.)

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

0

hey my e-mail has kittylover in it

By: billywilly   28

Answer 4
kitty

0

Catnip is a plant that cats like to play with in toys. It makes some cats get hyper.

 

Answer 5
kitty

0

catnip is like a type of dryed herbs or plants, that cats like, and it makes them pretty much go crazy, but in a good way

By: jenice   254
 

Answer 6
kitty

0

Ok, but is it safe for pregnant Kitties?

By: veebbert   22
 

Answer 7
kitty

0

it is some kind of plant i think

By: fefe101   132
 

Answer 8
kitty

-3

Catnip is like a drug for cats. I would never use it on my kitty no matter what ANYONE says.

 

Comments to Answer

kitty

0

No. It's won't hurt them like a real drug. Seriously. It's kind of like chocolate for cats. It's similar to a sugar rush. It really won't hurt them at all.

kitty

-1

No. It's won't hurt them like a real drug. Seriously. It's kind of like chocolate for cats. It's similar to a sugar rush. It really won't hurt them at all.

kitty

0

I agree fully with Mischief_cat123. And no, not because she's my cousin!!! Catnip is not a drug!!!! You're weird.

By: cuzzieluv   233
kitty

-1

HA! Nice Cuzzieluv! Real nice!


Add Your Answer

You must be logged in to post an answer.

Join Cats.com! Sign up, Answer questions, and earn cat points to increase your rating on the site. (Learn how) Sign Up Now!