The Lowdown on the Ultimate Cat "High"
Given to the right cat, catnip can cause an amazing reaction! The
cat will rub it, roll over it, kick at it and generally "go
nuts" for several minutes. Then the cat will lose interest
and walk away. Two hours or so later, the cat may come back and
have exactly the same response.
Because
there really isn't any scent that causes this sort of reaction in
humans, catnip is hard for people to understand. However, responding
dramatically to a scent is not an uncommon behavior in animals that
rely heavily on their noses. For example, there are many scents
will cause dogs to stop in their tracks and proceed to roll all
over the source.
Although
no one knows exactly what happens in the cat's brain, it is believed
that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the agent that triggers
the response. It causes the well-recognized reaction in cats that
are sensitive to the chemical. The catnip reaction is inherited,
and some cats are totally unaffected. Even big cats like tigers
and lions can be sensitive to it as well. Catnip is not toxic and
is recognized as a safe product for pets.
Catnip
is commonly incorporated into cat toys. It may also be applied to
the surface of scratching posts to attract a cat's interest. It
is available in dried form and in sprays. Both products can be used
alone or to refresh toys containing catnip.
If you're looking for a way to entertain and liven up your feline friend, try a bit of this mysterious herb. You may enjoy watching your cat's zany antics as much as he or she revels in the catnip experience. |