Cat drug, that’s what catnip is

Botanically known as Nepeta Cataria , catnip, catnip or “cat mint” is a well-known seedling that has particular effects on our furry friends, cats. It belongs to the Lamiaceae family and its origin is Mediterranean and North African. 

Not everyone knows, however, that catnip is actually a concentrate of substances that stimulate the cat , first of all nepetalactone, also called “the drug of cats”, a terpenoid that is able to attract animals as pollinating insects, but also to act as a repellent towards animals harmful to the plant, such as parasites, cockroaches, mosquitoes or herbivorous animals. 

It has been seen, and it is scientifically proven, that this molecule causes excitement in felines , performing the function of a real pheromone in cats. 

The reaction of cats to catnip

Sensitivity to this substance affects more than 70% of cats and its smell is perceived by cats through the vomeronasal organs. 

Here is the video  of “cats made” , a sequence of cats struggling with catnip, which clearly demonstrates the exciting effects of the plant on small domestic cats. 

As you can see, the cat that comes across a catnip plant approaches it, trusses it, rolls on it, sometimes chews and licks it, even purring . 

The pseudo-hormonal effect lasts just over ten minutes, and is completely natural: it has no negative effects on the animal, unless the cat ingests large quantities of it, which is very unlikely. After a couple of hours of settling, the cat may approach you again. 

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Grow catnip

Having catnip at home or in the garden could be a winning weapon for the home owner, and for the cat : in addition to making the furry little happy, catnip could be useful to prevent the cat from bumping into other plants, to prevent other types of “games” and distractions – such as scratches on the sofa or curtains – and to stimulate the animal’s perception.

Furthermore, when planted outside, its fragrant flowers attract bees and other pollinating insects , bringing great benefits to the environment and ecosystem.

It is a perennial plant that can be sown indoors and in a small greenhouse before spring arrives . In late spring, when it no longer freezes, the seedlings are transplanted and separated, planting them directly in the ground or in jars, if you want to have them at home. It generally does not exceed one meter in height and, for herbal teas or to store it, it is harvested already in late spring, early summer. 

Curiosity: In humans, nepetalactone is also a good sedative, sedative and natural antibacterial: tea or infusion with catnip was very popular for relieving sleep-related disorders, such as insomnia or anxiety states. Catnip also exists in herbal medicine, in the form of powder or dried leaves.