Whatever you want to name it—catnip, catmint, cat wort, or field balm—it doesn't matter. This fragrance herb is so appealing that lions, tigers, panthers, and your typical domestic tabby all seem to be addicted.

Nepeta cat aria, a powerful, minty, lemony catnip that is native to Europe and Asia, has long been linked to cats. Even the Latin word cat aria denotes a cat. And studies reveal that cats of all sizes like this invasive, weedy member of the mint family. Why do they enjoy catnip so much, though? Is it secure? If your cat doesn't like it, what does it mean?

Effects of Catnip


It depends on hereditary factors whether your feline friend is drawn to this oregano and basil related. About one in two cats inherit a sensitivity to the plant. However, until your kitten is between 3 and 6 months old, you won't be able to know if it is one of them.

The volatile oil in catnip, particularly one component known as nepetalactone, is what gives herb its allure. It only takes one or two sniffs of the miraculous oil, which is present in catnip's leaves, stems, and seeds, for vulnerable felines to start licking, chewing, and rolling around in feline happiness.

Even though it is potent, most cats only experience this bliss for around 10 minutes. Some people's joy manifests as violent playfulness. At the same time, others experience a sense of calm and relaxation. No of how your cat responds, once the initial excitement has worn off, it will take them about two hours to respond to catnip again.

Catnip: Training and Toys


Catnip can be a potent training tool because cats do respond to it repeatedly.

Want to stop the cat from scratching the furniture? To make a scratching post more enticing, coat it with catnip. Invested in a new cat bed? To make your cat's cushion more appealing to him, add a little of the herb to it.

Making catnip toys is another way to give an indoor cat enrichment. Put a little of the herb inside an old sock and tie the top closed. Alternately, add a significant amount of catnip to a tiny paper bag and compact the bag into a ball.

The kind of catnip you use will have an impact on how strongly your cat reacts to toys and instruction. Despite the fact that most cats prefer the herb dried or fresh, catnip sprays typically don't have enough nepetalactone to pique their interest.

Fortunately for Kitten, catnip is simple to grow in a sunny window and is both non-addictive and safe to consume. With one pot of catnip and one of wheat, oat, rye, or barley grass, you might even go as far as to build your very own cat garden. Along with enjoying both, kitten might stay away from your plants if it has its own. Catnip is a robust, occasionally invasive grower, so keep that in mind if you decide to directly plant it in your garden.

The essential oils in catnip lose their effectiveness very fast. Therefore, if you purchase dried catnip for your kitty companion, save any unused portions in the freezer.