The Catnip Experience Scientists cannot say for sure if catnip is a drug for cats similar to how narcotics or alcohol affect the human brain. Some cats (like kittens) do not seem to be as affected by this special plant, but many scientists believe that catnip affects all cats in some way.
You've no doubt heard of catnip, but what if your cat doesn't really respond to it? There are some alternatives--plants such as silver vine, honeysuckle, and valerian have all been used to satisfy the feline sense of smell.
Is It Safe? Cats can ingest catnip, and it may even be helpful for their digestive tract. 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.
There's no evidence that catnip is harmful to cats or young kittens. However, if they eat a lot of the fresh or dried catnip leaves, they can get an upset tummy along with vomiting or diarrhea.
The main ingredient in catnip is called nepetalactone, that stimulates certain brain chemicals related to mood and happiness.
This safe “high” usually lasts between 5 and 15 minutes. Unlike the chemical highs people may get from smoking marijuana or those nasty, next-morning headaches from drinking too many tequila shots, catnip is very kind to cats. Catnip offers two major perks: it is not addictive and does not cause any kitty hangovers.
The catnip in no way enters the cat's blood stream, unlike human street drugs. A human analog that causes similar effects [as catnip on cats], as in a comparable high, would be LSD or marijuana.
Researchers suspect that the herb targets feline "happy" receptors in the brain. When eaten, however, it tends to have the opposite effect and your cat mellows out. Most cats react to catnip by rolling, flipping, rubbing, and eventually zoning out. They may meow or growl at the same time.
Given that catnip can have a calming, soothing effect, it can be used to: help reduce a cat's stress and anxiety when going to the vet, help reduce stress when traveling, help with urinary issues (note that stress is a major contributing factor to urinary obstruction in cats!).
Nepetalactone is an interesting substance that affects about 50% of cats. When sniffed, it acts as a stimulant, often causing cats to become very playful, rolling over on the ground and generally being hyperactive. But when eaten, catnip acts as a sedative, sometimes causing cats to drool, purr, or fall asleep.
Catnip can calm and soothe some cats. As an herb, catnip is easy to grow at home. If you grow it, you may find your kitty indulging in it at intervals throughout the day and maybe even chewing on it. For the most part, it's a fairly harmless indulgence.
However, scientific studies have shown that catnip doesn't affect the brain in the same way as drugs like marijuana or cocaine do. Cats are completely aware of their surroundings when under the effects of catnip, they're just much “happier”.
Anise is sometimes called "catnip for dogs" because it causes some dogs to become excited and playful. However, it is completely unrelated to the catnip plant. Aniseed can be used ground or whole but is also available in essential oil form.
While catnip is non-addictive, its effect can dull due to overexposure. So, while the occasional catnip “high” might be fun, it's best to avoid a daily catnip routine with your cat. The effects also start to decline as your cat ages. You won't see the overly exaggerated response you're used to with older cats.
Medicinally, the plant has been used to treat intestinal cramps, for indigestion, to cause sweating, to induce menstruation, as a sedative, and to increase appetite. Additionally, the plant has been used to treat diarrhea, colic, the common cold, and cancer.
Recovery of Catnip Poisoning in Cats
Without further exposure to the plant, the feline will make a full recovery in a few short hours.
Meowijuana Purrple Passion Catnip Buds are 100 organic and safe for your cat, made from the finest and most fragrant Catnip Blossoms. These all natural catnip buds are harvested at the peak of the plant's essential oil production, giving your cats the best high they deserve.
Various forms of catnip exist, including sprays, dried leaves, and the entire plant. Although each varies in its concentration of nepetalactone, there is minimal difference in how profoundly these different forms affect cats. Since catnip is not a drug, its effects don't depend on the amount given or the concentration.
You can give your cat catnip every day, but you don't have to. If your cat has never had the experience before, you should start off with a small amount of catnip and work up from there.
A cat's behavior can change dramatically when they are introduced to catnip. What exactly it changes to can differ from cat to cat. Common reactions are an increase in meowing and salivation as well as a desire to roll around on the ground with paws flailing in the air.
It's also believed that whether or not a cat likes catnip is because of their parents. For example, most Australian cats aren't affected by catnip.
Sleeping with you provides them with security and an extra defense if a predator should launch a nighttime attack. They sleep with you because they trust you, they know you're not a danger and you can also provide an extra layer of defense if needed.
They will enjoy it for up to 15 minutes before their senses have had enough and they won't be able to catch that buzz again for a few hours. If you have multiple cats, make sure there is enough to go around to avoid any competition for the catnip. Catnip doesn't have to be a daily thing.