From destroying flower pots in the patio to hunting insects to leave them on the bed. Cats are a lot of fun and sometimes their behavior is completely incomprehensible to humans. However, when it comes to peculiar reactions, there is one that is especially striking: the taste of our furry friends for catnip or ‘catnip’.
Nepeta Cataria (known as catnip) is a plant native to parts of Europe and Asia popular for its properties to attract cats (and induce insanity in them). It usually works with domestic cats, but also with other larger felines such as lions, leopards or jaguars.
Responses to catnip generally include sniffing, licking, biting, rubbing, or rolling on the plant. Similarly, cats often shake their heads, drool, vocalize, and even kick with their hind legs.
Why do felines love catnip?
But why do they react this way? The answer, scientists argue, lies in a chemical compound called nepalacatlone that the plant naturally releases when its leaves or stems are bruised.
Researchers believe that this chemical reaches receptors in the cat’s nose and subsequently stimulates sensory neurons. This causes changes in brain activity.
Thus, the mind-altering effects usually last between five and fifteen minutes, although some cats respond more intensely and for longer than others.
Interestingly, catnip responsiveness is believed to be inherited. In fact, one in three adult cats is completely immune to the effects.
However, other scientists argue that all cats feel the stimuli of catnip, only that some respond actively and others are more passive.
Is catnip a drug for cats?
Many cats are attracted to catnip and seek it out in their environment. For this reason, catnip is used to relax cats and to help them use the scratching post instead of household furniture. It is also used as a source of environmental enrichment.
In humans, smoking catnip has been reported to cause feelings similar to those of marijuana or LSD. Cats may experience similar effects, although their brains are not exactly the same as ours, so their ‘trips’ may be slightly different.
However, a recent study indicates that exposure of cats to nepalactalone results in an increase in a hormone associated with pleasure. This suggests that catnip could have some very powerful properties to make cats feel good.
Interestingly, the authors also found that nepalactalol-coated cats were less likely to be attacked by mosquitoes. This provides an evolutionary explanation for the innate attraction of cats to the plant.
