Meet Pip, a curious and playful gray tabby cat who loves to explore every corner of his owner’s house. One day, Pip’s owner brought home a new toy that was filled with fresh catnip.
As soon as Pip caught a whiff of the pungent herb, his eyes grew wide and he started meowing in delight. His tail twitched rapidly and he began rubbing his head and body all over the toy, completely lost in the moment.
Pip’s owner watched in amusement as he rolled around on the floor, batting the toy with his paws and generally looking like he was having the time of his life. It was clear that catnip had a powerful effect on Pip, and his owner couldn’t help but chuckle at his silly antics.
From that day on, whenever Pip’s owner brought out the catnip toy, he knew that Pip would be in for a fun and playful time.
If you’ve ever given your cat a bit of catnip and watched him get very excited about it, you might have wondered what exactly is going on?
What is catnip?
Catnip is an organic compound found in the leaves and stems of certain mint family plants. When cats smell it, they experience a change in mood, becoming more playful and active.
Some even report their cat feeling relaxed or sedated after the initial excitement. The effects of catnip only last for a short while, after which cats usually become immune to its effects for a period of time.
When catnip blooms, it produces small clusters of white or lavender-colored flowers that are very attractive to bees and other pollinators.
In the garden, catnip can be quite hardy and easy to grow, as it prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Because of its hardiness, it can spread quickly and become invasive if not properly contained.
When grown in a garden, catnip can be a beautiful and fragrant addition, attracting both cats and beneficial insects alike.
Reaction of the typical cat when she gets catnip
RMVideos_Junkin shows her reaction to her cat enjoying Cat Crack catnip in this short clip.
This article will focus on some of the most frequently asked questions about catnip. Catnip is something you can gift your kitty with. It will elevate your status in your cat’s eyes to Hero Level.
What is Cat Crack?
Cat Crack is a brand of high-quality, organic catnip. We bought this particular brand of catnip for our cat and her reaction was adorable, similar to the video above.
It was our first experience with gifting it to our cat for playtime. It was amazing to see something like this make our cat so enthusiastic and happy.
Frequently asked questions about catnip (FAQ)
Why do only cats love catnip?
Aside from the favorable scent that affects their olfactory receptors, which tell the cat that the scent is a wonderful thing, catnip may also have another benefit.
Catnip compounds called nepetalactones have been shown to protect cats from parasites and mosquitos.
Is catnip a drug?
No, catnip is not considered a drug. The effects it has do not depend on dosage or concentration. Many forms of catnip products are available, like the dried leaves, the fresh plant, the oils incorporated into a spray and stuffed into toys.
Do cats actually get high on catnip?
Yes, cats can get high on catnip. Technically, cats act high when they interact with catnip because the chemicals within it stimulate their opioid reward systems.
The active ingredient in catnip is a plant chemical called nepetalactone, which produces a response in cats that is similar to the euphoria experienced by humans when they use marijuana.
When a cat smells or eats catnip, it can cause them to become more playful and energetic, or even relaxed and sedated, depending on the individual cat’s reaction.
However, not all cats respond to catnip, as it is estimated that only around 50-75% of cats have the gene that makes them react to it.
What drug is catnip like?
The active compound in catnip, nepetalactone, is much like valerian, which is a well-known herbal sedative. People have been known to use catnip to help ease anxiety, but it seems to work in the opposite direction with cats.
Is there a Dog nip?
Yes, the herb anise, or aniseed, is known to be the equivalent to dogs as catnip is to cats. Anise can stimulate and make dogs happy. Used in moderation, anise-based treats work well when training dogs when motivating them is key.
Can dogs get high off catnip?
While catnip has a strong effect on cats, it does not have the same effect on dogs. In fact, most dogs show little to no interest in catnip and do not experience any kind of “high” from it.
This is because the chemical compound in catnip called nepetalactone, which affects cats, does not have a similar effect on dogs. Instead, dogs may be more attracted to other scents and flavors, such as those found in meat-based treats or toys.
It’s important to note that while catnip is safe for dogs to consume, it is not recommended as it can cause digestive upset or diarrhea.
Concluding thoughts on catnip and cat crack
If you want to give your cat a little boost of energy and playfulness, organic catnip is the way to go. It’s a good way to give an especially lazy cat a little more exercise and playtime.
It’s great for all cats, lazy or not!
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