# What, (if anything,) do we know about cats and their reaction to catnip? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 4, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779 "2017-08-04T15:37:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/1 "2017-08-04T15:37:25Z")
As far as I’m aware, no one knows why or how it effects cats. If that’s the case, any speculation? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/2 "2017-08-04T16:24:21Z")
This has been studied so no speculation needed: > [@](#): > > When cats smell catnip they exhibit several behaviors common to queens in season (females in heat): They may rub their heads and body on the herb or jump, roll around, vocalize and salivate. This response lasts for about 10 minutes, after which the cat becomes temporarily immune to catnip’s effects for roughly 30 minutes. Response to catnip is hereditary; about 70 to 80 percent of cats exhibit this behavior in the plant’s presence. In addition, catnip does not affect kittens until they are about six months old and begin to reach sexual maturity. > > \ > > 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. These cells, in turn, provoke a response in neurons in the olfactory bulb, which project to several brain regions including the amygdala (two neuronal clusters\* in the midbrain that mediate emotional responses to stimuli) and the hypothalamus, the brain’s “master gland” that plays a role in regulating everything from hunger to emotions. > > 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.” That is, the cat essentially reacts to an artificial cat pheromone. > > SOURCE: [How Does Catnip Work Its Magic on Cats? | Scientific American](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/experts-how-does-catnip-work-on-cats/) ---
**Author:** ![MyFootsZZZ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/myfootszzz/32/12580_2.png) [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/3 "2017-08-04T18:11:08Z")
So it’s an aphrodisiac? Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/4 "2017-08-04T18:43:01Z")
> [@MyFootsZZZ](#): > > So it’s an aphrodisiac? 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 ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/5 "2017-08-04T19:38:51Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/6 "2017-08-04T19:55:27Z")
> [@NDP](#): > > I’ve had cats that didn’t react at all to catnip. Why is that? It’s hereditary (i.e. genetic). About 70-80% of cats have the “catnip gene”. The rest just ignore the stuff. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/7 "2017-08-04T20:23:39Z")
We know that it turns Steve October into an insane kitty! Between us I think he might have a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/8 "2017-08-04T20:47:28Z")
Should I give my cat catnip? Why or why not? I have before, and he reacted to it in the typical way. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2017, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/9 "2017-08-04T22:35:38Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Should I give my cat catnip? Why or why not? 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. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/10 "2017-08-05T01:46:43Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/11 "2017-08-05T03:10:29Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Should I give my cat catnip? Well, you give 'em the _first_ taste for free, you know? ---
**Author:** ![Jimpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@Jimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimpy)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/12 "2017-08-05T09:00:25Z")
Giving my cats catnip pretty much guarantees a cat fight. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/13 "2017-08-05T11:39:42Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/14 "2017-08-05T11:51:11Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/15 "2017-08-05T12:32:47Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > It’s hereditary (i.e. genetic). About 70-80% of cats have the “catnip gene”. The rest just ignore the stuff. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/16 "2017-08-05T13:05:23Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > 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). ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/17 "2017-08-05T16:48:19Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/18 "2017-08-05T16:49:26Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Hocus\_Pocus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/41988e/32.png) [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/19 "2017-08-05T17:02:33Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > 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. Just say meow. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779/20 "2017-08-05T17:42:48Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > 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. 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](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9720633) receptors (and some hint about [GABAnergic](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13880200490885059) impacts). If so it may have had some benefit on chemo-induced nausea and as a pain reliever. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-if-anything-do-we-know-about-cats-and-their-reaction-to-catnip/792779.md?page=2)