What is catnip and what does it do to cats?

If you have questions about catnip and your cat, we’re here to help. Read on to learn more …

The form doesn’t matter — fresh, dried, as leaves or stuffed in a toy. Catnip can transform your kitty into a puddle of furry, purring bliss.

Science has some answers on how it works. In fact, researchers even know your cat’s chemical reactions to it. But, as is the case with so many things about our feline friends … what exactly is going on in their heads is a mystery.

What is catnip?

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a common herb that’s a member of the mint family. Easy to grow in North America, it goes by many names, including catwort, field balm and more. Many people think that it’s only used for calming cats but that’s only part of its story.

In fact, we’ve used it for centuries in everything from cooking to making tea, and as a natural insect repellent.

And for you trivia buffs out there — catnip’s related to rosemary, sage, oregano and basil.

What does catnip do to cats?

First of all, not every cat responds to catnip’s allure.

Depending on what you read, anywhere from a little over half to about 70% of cats respond to catnip. Also, kittens generally don’t until they’re at least six months of age. So if your cat is unimpressed with the crisp, minty herb, it’s not totally out of the ordinary.

That said, the majority of cats really do love catnip. But the question is … how does it do what it does to cats?

The long and short of it is that, as the New Scientist reports, “smelling catnip triggers the release of beta-endorphins.”Endorphins are natural feel-good chemicals. For example, our bodies release them when we eat chocolate, laugh and exercise. They lower stress, inhibit pain and make us feel rewarded.

Same goes for cats. Endorphins equal good vibes.

In response to catnip, most cats will display signs of affection, relaxation and happiness. This could mean laying with the catnip toy, rolling around in catnip, purring and simply relaxing.

However, some cats will display more active behaviors. These can be playfulness, zoomies or even aggression. So it’s important to be aware of how your cat may respond before giving them catnip.

How does it work?

In catnip’s oil, there’s a chemical with an impossibly long name, nepetalactone. And it’s nepetalactone that causes the weird reactions in cats.

But surprisingly, it’s not your kitty’s nose that captures that chemical.

Cats have a special organ located behind their incisors, the vomeronasal gland. Also called Jacobson’s organ, this gland is pivotal for cats in analyzing pheromones.

So, once the nepetalactone is inhaled (or eaten), it binds with protein receptors in the cat’s nasal passages. They, in turn, tell the brain, “Time to party!” Lastly, the brain engages the amygdala and the hypothalamus. (They’re responsible for emotions and behaviors in cats.)

And in case you’re wondering, the effects of catnip last around 10-15 minutes. After that, your cat’s senses are used to the nepetalactone (for a while).

But, as the saying goes, wait … there’s more!

Even big cats aren’t immune to catnip’s hypnotic effects. Many zoos also keep catnip and other mints handy for big cats for this reason. A 2021 study discovered that cats of all sizes smeared themselves with paper soaked in nepetalactone, the active chemical in catnip.

So yes, lions, tigers and cougars — like Boo Boo Kitty — love it.

Is it safe?

Catnip is safe and non-addictive.

However, large amounts of ingested catnip may cause vomiting or diarrhea. The good news is that those symptoms are usually mild and self-limiting.

In addition, it’s not recommended for cats that are pregnant, epileptic or tend to be aggressive.

As for how often can you give your cat catnip? Answers vary but generally, try to keep it to once per day.

Can I grow catnip?

Yes, you can grow your own catnip!

It grows well in almost any soil but does best in moderately rich loam that is well-draining. It’s found at many gardening stores and responds well in many sun coverages.

Best of all, you can grow it indoors or outdoors. There are numerous resources available online if you want to learn more about growing your own catnip.

Lastly, if your kitty doesn’t respond to catnip, Web MD recommends you give Tatarian Honeysuckle, Silver Vine, Catmint and Valerian a try.