The Ultimate Guide to Catnip: How It Affects Your Cat

What exactly does catnip do to your cat? Today, I’m going to tell you all you really need to know about cats and catnip. You may have heard it can create odd behavior which is correct. To be honest, it can be hilarious to watch as well, so grab your camera if you would like to see your cat behave in a way you have rarely since it was a kitten because 7/10 cats go bat crap nuts after just a whiff of the powerful perennial plant related to peppermint and spearmint.

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What is catnip and how does it work?

Catnip is also known as catswort, catwort, and catmint. It comes from the genus nepeta family of Lamiaceae and can be found on the leaves and stems of the plant. This perennial herb contains a chemical compound called nepetalactone, which can behave like a stimulant or a sedative.

After giving your cat a toy with catnip, you may notice them rolling around on it and rubbing their faces into it. They are not marking it, like they do your leg when you come home. According to The Humane Society, “Happy” sensors in their brains are immediately affected after just a whiff of the potent perennial herb. Naturally, this excites them and makes them want more so they rub on the catnip which crushes the bulbs, releasing a chemical compound which keeps the intoxicating feeling alive longer and more powerfully by flooding those previously mentioned “happy” sensors in their brains.

How does catnip affect your cat?

If you have never had a cat, you might wonder, “What happens when you give a cat, catnip?”

And the answer to that question might depend on if the catnip is eaten or just smelled. Most agree that when a cat merely smells catnip, instead of consuming it, the reaction is like watching someone get high on a very powerful stimulant. Your docile, lazy cat may suddenly become “Super Kitty” and after flopping around on the floor with it like a fish on a dock, your cat may go absolutely bonkers and take off with its tail puffed out in air.

Some cats may become aggressive and scratch their owners so it’s always a good idea to give them some distance, keep small children away and close the doors and windows. Naturally you do not want anyone to get hurt, or for your cat to jump out the window, and believe me, it does happen. The effects will generally wear off in 10 to 15 minutes.

There are some cats who will smell the catnip and just lay there on the floor, as if drunk. This also happens to cats if you feed them catnip. And then there are other cats which the catnip has no effect on at all. Don’t worry though, there are alternatives to catnip, which I will discuss later.

What happens when you give a cat catnip?

I will tell you from my own experiences. I have had cats all my so let me tell you a story.