The Truth about Cat Nip
I’ve often wondered whether I’m being a responsible cat owner encouraging my cat to get hooked on cat nip, a grass that is purported to make cats go wild in a drug-like euphoria. I say ‘purported’ as both my cats have shown little interest in this feline drug!
Recently I had a little look into this intoxicating grass. Cat nip or Nepeta cataria is a perennial plant which has an active ingredient called nepetalactone which is an essential oil which has properties which act in a similar way to hallucinogens. It acts in a similar way to an aphrodisiac although scientists still can’t decide if the effect on our cats is sexual or predatory.
Never-the-less this plant can be found in many toys and cat products. You simply can’t escape it. The effects on cats vary from a bit of unsophisticated drooling to full on frenzied frolicking but is still considered to be harmless. It isn’t recommended to expose your cat to cat nip if they are a particularly feisty cat anyway as obviously the effect of the plant will only serve to increase their outgoing behaviour. Home-grown cat nip is said to be less potent than the dried varieties but according to some of the anecdotal evidence I’ve read this might not be the case.
The key is to know and understand your cat. If you have a laid back or timid cat they are likely to have a lesser reaction whereas a boisterous cat will have an extreme reaction and is best kept away from this catty drug!
Some things I've noticed
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