As far as I’m aware, no one knows why or how it effects cats.
If that’s the case, any speculation?
This has been studied so no speculation needed:
So it’s an aphrodisiac?
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Not exactly.
It does only affect sexually mature cats, and seems to cause reactions similar to females in heat. So somewhat sexual.
But it does NOT trigger sexual mating activity.
In fact, most cats seem withdrawn into their own private ‘trip’, ignoring all other cats, including mating pairs or even enemies. Nothing but the catnip matters
I’ve had cats that didn’t react at all to catnip. Why is that?
Also, to go slightly off-topic, why do some cats chase red light dots but others, at most, just momentarily glance at it before ignoring it?
It’s hereditary (i.e. genetic). About 70-80% of cats have the “catnip gene”. The rest just ignore the stuff.
We know that it turns Steve October into an insane kitty! Between us I think he might have a problem.
Should I give my cat catnip? Why or why not? I have before, and he reacted to it in the typical way.
No reason not to* – I haven’t seen any studies that show any long-term bad effects. Presumably, too frequent use would dull the response to it. MY cats get some once a week or so, and seem to do fine.
*Unless you’re a puritan fundamentalist who thinks that having fun is somehow immoral – even for cats.
If you give your cat catnip, it will become permanently insane.
Which is also what’ll happen to a cat if you don’t give it catnip. So, no difference.
Well, you give 'em the first taste for free, you know?
Giving my cats catnip pretty much guarantees a cat fight.
Still a puzzle to me why nepetalactone triggers that very specific stereotypic response.
It mimics a pheromone? Do male cats secrete a substance similar to nepetalactone which enhances an approach behavior in female cats? Seems like an off explanation when it triggers the response whether or not the female is in heat.
At some point in the not too distant future, humans will be able to wear a helmet, or something similar, with implanted electrodes and use a device to trigger a sexual experience. Essentially it will fool the brain into reacting as if they were having sex.
I’ve had a long string then because no cat I have ever owned has had any interest in the stuff.
I think it’s a myth.
I also had a cat who showed no interest in the catnip toy I brought him.
Apart from the genetic susceptibility angle, I suspect some of the catnip toys/devices being sold don’t use fresh enough herb (or a significant amount of it), so cats’ interest isn’t stimulated (adulteration and/or quality issues commonly affect other herbal products).
We grow it for them. Does not often get fresher than that.
Aprox 80% of the cats we have had over the years react to it. of that 80% aprox 30% get really stoned on it.
But… Cats.
Something strange:
I have a 16yo fixed male cat who never showed any response to catnip. That is, until last October, when he developed cancer, and subsequent (ongoing) chemotherapy. All of a sudden, he’s into catnip. Neither his veterinarian nor his oncologist can explain this.
Just say meow.
Well the best so far I can find so far on nepetalactone’s interactions with receptors is that members of the class interact with various opioid receptors (and some hint about GABAnergic impacts). If so it may have had some benefit on chemo-induced nausea and as a pain reliever.