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 that 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.