Surely you have heard of a certain plant that drives cats crazy or perhaps you have seen a video on YouTube in which one or more minima are under its influence, they meow, brush against it, jump like crazy, run, hunt animals invisible …
The herb in question is called catnip or catnip ( Nepeta cataria is its scientific name) and belongs to the mint family. In fact, it is also known as catmint.
In Roman times, Nepeta cataria was used to treat disorders such as anxiety, fever, and an upset stomach. Today it is taken as an infusion to help digestion.
In the case of cats, which is what we are dealing with now, catnip contains a compound called nepetalactone that attracts a good amount of them. It is believed that between 70% and 80% of kittens cannot resist its fragrance. Although there is no consensus on the above, what the scientific community is clear about is that cats under three months of age “pass through” catnip. The explanation given by experts about why it attracts such a large number of cats has to do with environmental and genetic reasons.
But what does a cat do in the presence of catnip? If the feline is one of those who are attracted to catnip, it may be that it rubs against it, nibbles it, licks it or wallows on it. As soon as the nepetalactone particles pass into the air, the cat will inhale them and that is when it will begin to do “strange things” such as hunting invisible mice or birds , which only exist in its imagination, and it will be especially playful. The effect lasts between five and fifteen minutes and ends with the animal calm. It will take at least two hours for the cat to become interested in the plant again.
Although at first it may sound like a narcotic substance, the truth is that catnip is not harmful. What’s more, many of the toys intended for kitties, such as balls, blankets or scratchers, contain it . It is also found in snacks.
You can help yourself to catnip to get your cat moving around a bit if he’s lazy. In the market you can find it as a spray and spray it, for example, on your scraper, so that it encourages you to scratch there and not on your new chair. As a snack you can give it to him as a reward for his good behavior.
And since the final effect is relaxing, it is not a bad ideal to have it on hand to give him when you see that he is nervous or anxious.
Cultivar catnip
In almost any pet store you will find catnip seeds to plant in your garden or pot . Catnip is very cheap and easy to grow. Ideally, do it in early spring, outdoors. There are also sites that sell you the catnip pot directly.
Although we have said that catnip is not harmful to the cat, some precautions must be taken so that the animal does not get out of control, such as moderate the dose and make sure that the place where the animal is is safe , that is, protect windows, balconies and holes through which it can fall. It should be borne in mind that after the phase in which the animal becomes unruly, it is followed by another one of exaltation in which it may do strange things or start running uncontrolled.
Other options are to move the plant from time to time so that it does not get used to finding it so easily , put it out of reach for some days or give it the toy that contains it for a few days and remove it for others.
This plant is a great ally of stressed or bored cats , but if we are not clear about its use, it is best to ask the veterinarian so that he will advise us how to use it or if necessary, advise against it. This herb is neither good nor bad, it will depend on how we use it and how we let the cat interact with it.
