8/10/2023 0 Comments Csnip for cats![]() ![]() Instead, provide catnip to keep your cat occupied and give them a distraction from planning their next destructive spree.Ĭatnip sprinkled around the house can kick off a fun treasure hunt to keep your kitty entertained while you’re at work. Scratches all down your furniture, things pushed off the counter, or waiting behind the door to attack your ankles are all things cats can and will do to amuse themselves. Indoor cats can benefit from regular enrichment activities to help encourage them to stay physically and mentally active.Ī bored cat can find plenty of ways to create mischief around your house. Catnip can be a great enrichment activity Image Credit: Ingus Kruklitis, Shutterstockĭepending on how your cat reacts to catnip, it can be used to add enrichment and encourage active play sessions. Bear in mind that if your cat seems immune to the magic of catnip, then none of these benefits will work for them!ġ. Now we know more about what catnip is and why some cats love it, let’s take a look at the potential health benefits. About 30% to 20% of cats don’t show any reaction to catnip other than slight confusion and total boredom! Not all cats will respond strongly to catnip, and some cats will not react at all! Studies have found that the response to catnip is genetic. After the effects have worn off, your cat won’t react to catnip for about half an hour. ![]() The effect of catnip usually lasts for between 5 and 30 minutes. Eating catnip seems to result in a calming effect, while sniffing it results in excitement and stimulation. It’s also thought that a cat’s reaction to catnip can depend on whether they eat it or just sniff it. Others will become super sleepy and calm. Some cats may become playful and affectionate, wanting to bounce around the house. This is what triggers a stimulant effect, which is thought to mimic the pheromones associated with mating.Ĭatnip enhances your cat’s mood, but the effect depends on each cat, as they all react differently. The leaves and stalk of the catnip plant contain the chemical nepetalactone. Of course, it’s also cultivated, dried, and sold as catnip for our feline friends to enjoy.Īs well as buying dried catnip, you can buy it as an oil, spray, or even grow it fresh in your garden. “Cataria” translates to “of a cat”.Ĭatmint is native to Mediterranean and North African regions but now grows wild across plenty of North America and Europe. ![]() Even the “cataria” part of its name hints to how long we’ve known this herb to affect felines. It’s also known by its Latin name, Nepeta cataria, and belongs to the same plant family as mint. You might see catnip also called catwort, catmint, field balm, or even Menta de Gato. The good news is that yes, there are! In this article, we’ve rounded up seven health benefits that mean catnip is something you should consider keeping in your home, if you don’t already.įrom the obvious uses that most of us know about to a few others that might surprise you, we’ve got you and your cat covered. So, while we might want to select a catnip-filled toy, are there actually any health benefits to allowing your cat to have catnip? Most of us cat parents know that many cats have a weakness for catnip. ![]()
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