by Angie Pollock

Created on: November 28, 2008   Last Updated: December 30, 2008

Rolling, rubbing and purring are all signs of a happy cat or one in euphoria over that sweet smell of catnip. While not all cats can appreciate the intoxicating aroma, most cats will react to the effects of this herb.

This catnip fan club enjoyed by a majority of felines won't include kittens under the age of 8 weeks. Just like some adult cats have no reaction to catnip, kittens have no interest in putting on a show when coming in contact with the plant. In general, if your cat has shown no signs of reaction to catnip by the age of six months, your cat will probably never display a response to catnip.

In the plant world, catnip is a member of the mint family. This flowering plant has been used for centuries as an herbal remedy to treat a variety of ailments in humans including the common cold, fever and to ease an upset stomach. Native Americans used the catnip plant to make herbal teas for the pleasant taste and to cure illnesses.

Different types of catnip can have different types of affects on cats. While one variety may over joy your frisky feline, other species of catnip may be snubbed by a persnickety naysayer who only wants the best this plant can offer. The oil or nepetalactone found in the stem and leaves of catnip is the substance that attracts cats to this herb. Some cats are even known to eat this aromatic plant but it's the smell, not the taste, that give a cat what some describe as a natural "high".

Catnip can be purchased in toys, as potted plants and is also found bottled in a spray-mist. Homegrown and organic catnip tend to have higher effects on cats then packaged varieties. Catnip toys may only be enjoyed for a short amount of time as the oil in the catnip may dissipate the longer the toy remains on the store shelf.

Catnip can be used for more than the entertainment value to their owners. This valuable plant to cat owners has been widely used for cat training. A light spray of the mist on a scratch post will encourage your pet to scratch on the post and deter them from taking aim at your furniture.

From a purring roll to ecstatic jumping, felines can enjoy this simple pleasure without owners having to worry about catnip addiction. Catnip is non-toxic and non-habit forming. And after having their brief moment of pleasure, a cat may take up to an hour or more before they react again to the scent. For cat owners wanting to give their cat a gift, catnip or valerian (another herb cats are attracted to) is safe and will give your cat something to purr about.

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