WHY ARE CATS ADDICTED TO CATNIP
Your cat has a passion for catnip? Inadequately reacts to the smell of this plant?
Why is this happening?
Once the cat feels the smell of catnip, it immediately begins to circle restlessly around the room, stand on his hind legs, get in your way and hinders you. It won’t leave you alone until you give it what it wants.
Once the precious tuft of grass will be near it, your cat will immediately begin to squirm, writhe and roll on the floor. In other words — exhibits uncharacteristic behavior. It might seem that your cat is going crazy.
Then why are cats so addicted to catnip?
Let’s start with the fact that only 80% of cats respond to catnip in a similar way. And this applies not only to domestic cats. Leopards, cougars, and lions become excited when the plant is given to them. But surprising fact — the lynx and tigers, are completely indifferent to the smell of the catnip.
Not all the individuals behave in a similar way amongst domestic cats. Many domestic cats, like the lynx and tigers, do not respond to the mint. Whether they have the blood of wild ancestors in their veins, or they bravely defy the common feline madness for the mint is unclear.
A typical cats reaction to the dried or fresh plant — chew it, lick, or at least smell. Many cats simply begin to rub against the plant, «unrestrained» individual might roll over the mint, or even jump and do somersaults.
What is catnip?
Scientific name — Nepeta Cataria.
It has long been observed that cats have inadequate reaction to this plant. If you rub the mint leaf between your fingers, you will fell a specific pungent smell. Cats have a better sense of smell than humans. There is no need for rubbing, they can feel the specific smell of mint as it is.
Why does catnip cause such an inadequate reaction?
No one knows for sure, but many experts believe that the odor released by the plant is similar in chemical composition with hallucinogenic substances. That’s why cats are starting to go crazy. However, there are other opinions: the behavior of the cats «on mint» associated with feline predatory or sexual proclivities.
Do all cats react to catnip?
No. The experiments proved that cats in a state of stress or fear pay no attention to the mint. Kittens and elderly cats are also ignore catnip. But the cats of reproductive age seem to get a surge of strength spurred by the catnip.
Is catnip safe for cats?
Yes it is safe. This plant is often added to the sprays to attract the attention of cat to toys or other gadgets. Of course, everything has to be taken in moderation. If the smell is too strong, it can scare the cat. Reaction to the mint lasts from 5 to 15 minutes. Then the cat calms down, the effect of the mint on the cat’s body ends and the cat starts to behave as if it wasn’t him rolling on the floor five minutes ago.
Should you give catnip to a cat?
Catnip has no healing properties, at least not for the feline family. It is more of a fun for a cat than a treatment. So the decision is up to you. The plant can be used as a reward in training. Thus, it is possible to teach a cat to relieve itself in a tray (and not on a floor in the middle of the room), to sleep in a certain place, or to use the scratching post, etc.