How does catnip work

The fact that it gives cats that little charge of euphoria may be purely coincidental. The chemical is an insect repellant that the plant emits as a defense mechanism against pests like aphids. According to the American Chemical Society, nepetalactone attracts wasps and other insect predators that eat aphids, calling in protective reinforcements when the plant is in aphid-related distress.

That it brings all the cats to the yard is just a side effect. Because of this, catnip may have even more uses in the future beyond sending cats into a delighted frenzy. Rutgers University has spent more than a decade breeding a more potent version of catnip, called CR9, which produces more nepetalactone. In that case, you might be as excited about catnip as your cat is. Toys, Snacks, or Fresh Catnip You can buy toys with dried catnip in them, snacks containing catnip or just straight dried catnip.

Is it Safe The biggest question many have is whether catnip is safe. Facts About Catnip Catnip is considered to be related to oregano and basil in the herb family. Not all cats will have the same reaction to catnip or even show interest. Catnip is not addictive to cats, despite the high they get from it. Catnip can be used to help humans with indigestion, insomnia and more. Catnip is also great for repelling pests. Depending if your cat sniffs or eats the catnip will result in different effects.

Do you give your cat catnip? Categories: Cat Care , Products ,. Tags: catnip facts , how does catnip work. Share this post. About Kelsey Apley articles. August 21, at pm. Glenntweni says:. It could then take 30 minutes without smelling catnip for the cat to become susceptible to the effects again. Catnip does lose its potency over time, so it is recommended to keep it in an airtight container for maximum freshness. Some cats can be exceptions to this rule, as they will slowly increase their sensitivity over the years.

The catnip plant has actually been used in people for its antidiarrheal properties. With this said, it is important to prevent your cat from ingesting large amounts of catnip, as this can cause digestive upset. Too much catnip can cause health problems in cats, such as vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or having trouble walking. Use just a little at a time, and you can always discuss the correct amount for your cat with your veterinarian.

It is also recommended to avoid highly concentrated catnip oils due to their potency. Catnip sprays are a good option for cats that get an upset stomach from ingesting the plant.

In addition, catnip does not affect kittens until they are about six months old and begin to reach sexual maturity. Catnip plants Nepeta cataria and other Nepeta species are members of the mint family and contain volatile oils, sterols, acids and tannins. Native to Europe, Asia and Africa, the plant was brought to North America by settlers; nowadays, the plant is popular in herb gardens and grows widely as a weed. Catnip is considered to be nonaddictive and completely harmless to cats.

So, how does catnip work? Nepetalactone, one of catnip's volatile oils, enters the cat's nasal tissue, where it is believed to bind to protein receptors that stimulate sensory neurons. The amygdala integrates the information flow from the olfactory bulb cells and projects to areas governing behavior responses.

The hypothalamus regulates neuroendocrine responses through the pituitary gland, creating a "sexual response.