by Deana Clark

Created on: November 29, 2008   Last Updated: December 23, 2008

What is it About Catnip That Makes Cats Go Crazy

I never believed that catnip makes cats act as crazy as I had heard. So when we got our first cat, I tried the whole catnip theory. Now I understand the catnip theory. I put some catnip in a sock and tied the sock at the top. Then I threw the sock on the floor and it was like my cat was on crack. He first sniffed it and then went crazy. He ran from one end of the house to other nonstop. It was funny.

Catnip is a Native American plant that is also called Nepatia Cataria. When the leaves are clipped and rubbed between your fingers, you can smell a mint flavor but if the leaves are dried they smell like alfalfa. Nepetalactone is the active compound in catnip and pretty much is like a hallucinogen. This is not harmful or toxic to your cat at all though.

At first smell, cats will sniff, lick or actually eat catnip. Cats love to rub their bodies all over any exposed catnip that is lying on the carpet or floor. A cats reaction to the catnip will last anywhere from 5-15 minutes and then all of a sudden he is the most laid back, calm, cool and collected cat on the block.

Catnip comes in a number of forms. Several cat toys on the market incorporate the catnip into their toys. These are fun because the cat gets a new toy and gets the benefit of the catnip too. You can also but catnip by the bag or spray container and then sprinkle some on the scratching post or pour some in a sock. Did you know you could also grow your own catnip? You can grow it inside or outside.

An amazing fact is not all cats like or will react to catnip. Why is this? Well the short answer is that cats a born with a gene that causes cats to react to the catnip and not all the cats are born with this gene. Plus, if one of the cat's prints don't have the gene, there is a chance their kittens wont inherit it either.

In my opinion, the best place to get catnip is an online place Catnip Trading. They sell catnip and treats from all over the world. The ones they sell are ones you can't get in any store or catalog. The cool thing is that they use their own cats to test each product.

The best way to keep you cat interested in catnip is to store in a safe place until you are ready to give it to her. Only give your cat a pinch or two about twice a week. Anything more will upset their diet.

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