by Jane Rutherford

Created on: November 26, 2008   Last Updated: June 12, 2009

Everybody knows that catnip drives cats crazy. What people might not know is that not every cat will "get high" on catnip and not every exposure to this herb will have the same effect.

Nobody knows for sure why catnip is cats' favorite drug, though there are theories that it's closely connected to one of the active product of catnip called nepetalactone. It's similar to the sexual pheromone which might explain why young kittens (three months old or younger) are completely unaffected by catnip. Same goes for almost half of the feline population.

So there's more than fifty percent chance that your cat is a catnip addict.

It's interesting to know that some big cats like tigers or pumas are also affected by catnip, though I doubt that a zoo keeper will let you test that theory, so you will have to take my word on this.

How does catnip work?

Well it depends. If sniffed, catnip will most likely make your cat playful and enthusiastic. There will be a lot of running around and playing with toys. Though if your cat ingests the catnip, the effect might be quite opposite, making your cat relaxed and a little "out of it".

Cat's "high" will last up to ten minutes, so even if you buy catnip to be a permanent fixture in your house, you're not risking having your cat overenthusiastic all day.

How can you provide your cat with catnip?

If you're growing catnip in your garden it's best to dry it first and then using some gauze and a string make a simple toy for your cat to play with.

If you don't have your own "stash" of catnip, don't worry. It's available in most pet stores in all shapes and sizes.

You can buy toys with catnip, from simple balls to mechanical mice that will have your cat running around chasing the toy. Catnip can also be found as an oil, which you could put on the scratching post, ensuring your cat gives up on destroying your furniture. So it all depends on what you wish to achieve, but since catnip is completely harmless, why don't you see if catnip makes your cat happy?

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