Answers from the Chippawa Pet Care Corner Veterinarians
What does Catnip do to cats?
Not all cats seem to have an effect from Catnip, but the ones that do will sniff, lick, or chew it, and shake their heads, rub their chins and cheeks in the substance, then do a headover roll, and full body rub. They may vocalize in a way that seems to indicate pleasure. They may assume a Sphinx-like pose. Some cats become aggressive or excited, or have a burst of energy. Others may appear depressed.
Our fascination with the effect of Catnip on cats seems pretty universal. Just check out catnip on social media for lots of postings from cat lovers. We all like to have a bit of a laugh at our otherwise way-too-serious feline family.
How does Catnip work?
The active ingredient in Catnip, Nepetalactone binds to receptors in a cat’s nasal tissue, stimulating areas of the brain linked to emotion and behaviour. They seem to experience euphoria. Yes, it makes them high!
What do we know about Cats [Felis catus] and Catnip [Nepeta cataria]?
-Catnip is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family. It makes sense that the Catnip plant produces a strong scent, coming from a group of plants known for strong odors and strong flavours.
-Many cats will not respond to Catnip until they are mature. In fact, only 2 out of 3 cats show typical response to Catnip even after maturity.
-There is a genetic factor in susceptibility to the effects of Catnip. It is an autosomal Dominant trait (for the genetic nerds among us).
-Some cats respond mildly, others can seem over stimulated.
-Most wild cats also respond to Catnip, and so do some other mammals, and insects.
-The main ingredient is nepetalactone and the most active ingredient is Nepetalic acid.
-Cats that don’t respond to Catnip scent may react to Silver vine or Tatarian honeysuckle, which also contain Nepetalactone.
-It can be used as the leaf, or as a liquid aerosol extract.
Is Catnip Safe?
-Nepetalactone can be a uterine stimulant so don’t use it in pregnant cats. It also shouldn’t be used in cats with a history of seizures. If a large amount is ingested it may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Chronic exposure to catnip may cause an apparent loss of mental faculty, and possibly personality changes, but it appears to be very safe for occasional use. In fact, it may be a method of environmental enrichment for cats that are kept indoors.
-Outdoor cats have been known to seek out patches of catnip for their own indulgence.
-If used too often (more than once or twice a month) cats may lose their susceptibility to it. A toxic dose hasn’t been established. It is nonaddictive to cats, but if your cat seems obsessed with a catnip toy, take it away after 10-15 minutes just to give them a rest.
-Store it in an airtight container in the freezer
How do I give Catnip to my Cat for the First Time?
-You can buy a catnip toy, or buy the loose leaf and sprinkle it on a toy or scratching post.
-For the most part, it is safe to sprinkle lightly on food to encourage appetite, but ask your veterinarian first if you are feeding a prescription diet for a specific health issue. Most cats don’t need an appetite stimulant. The incidence of feline obesity is quite high. But if you need your cat to “get the munchies” for a specific food that your veterinarian has prescribed, it might be an option. Any food change should be gradual. Start with a small amount of new food mixed with the old, and increase the proportion of new food over 2 to 3 weeks. Offer just a small volume of food at a time if you are going to add Catnip, in case your cat decides to gobble the food. Food that goes down fast may equally quickly come back up.
When Should I NOT give my Cat Catnip?
-It might seem like a good idea to put some Catnip in the cat carrier to take them to the vet, BUT…if you are going to use it in a potentially stressful situation you should be confident about your cat’s response to Catnip in slow, small experiments ahead of time. Remember, some cats seem to become MORE hyper with the influence of Catnip. It might or might not be a good idea to use it when introducing your cat to a new cat, or when trying to encourage your cat to explore a new space, or when taking them out of their safe house into the scary car and through noisy traffic to a strange smelling animal hospital with lots of scared cat pheromones in the air!
Where did Catnip come from?
It was brought to America by European colonists for cultivation as a commercial crop. It is a very invasive plant, though, which is why it can be found growing wild through much of North America.
Is Catnip Useful to Human Animals?
Catnip has been used as a home remedy by people for a long time. It may be chewed, smoked, drunk as a tea or juice, infused, or used as a tincture or poultice. Vomiting, even seizures may occur if too much is given. In the 1960’s Catnip was used in tobacco or marijuana for a mild hallucinogenic effect, but it has been used in the past for a soothing effect to treat nervous headaches, hysteria, and insanity, among many other ailments.
Pseudonyms
Catmint, catsup, catwort, nip, new, field balm, catnep, catswort, and other names in other languages.
Glossary
-Autosomal Dominant trait; a genetic trait located on an autosomal chromosome (a non-sex chromosome) that only requires 1 copy of the trait from the parent to cause it to be expressed. Each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the trait.
-Pheromones; a chemical substance produced and released by an animal into the environment, affecting the behaviour or physiology of others of its species.
Plant Identification
For a great photo reference to both safe and toxic garden plants;
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8605646