Why Do Cats Love Catnip – We Explain

Why do cats love catnip (yes, we know not all of them love this plant, but the vast majority do!)? If you and I were to eat a leaf or rub it on our face, not much would happen. So how does it make our cat feel, and why.

Is it like drinking double – no, make that triple – espresso? Or is it more like going for a pint at the pub? While catnip may just be leaves and stems, it sure has a total and immediate transformation on our meows.

And because we love them, let’s uncover why they love catnip.

What is catnip?

You’ll be relieved to discover catnip isn’t related to some sort of hallucinogenic plant. Rather, it’s a varietal of the mint family and its scientific name in Latin is Nepeta cataria.

Notice how both the scientific name and the colloquial name have the word cat in them? That’s no mistake. Our cats are such trendsetters that the Latin name has the same root as the Latin word for cat.

What does catnip do to cats?

Let’s do a quick breakdown of how it works. That way even though it can’t affect us, we’ll get the general idea of what it’s doing to our fave feline…

Nepetalactone is a natural chemical found in the oil of the catnip plant’s stems, leaves, and seeds. This nepetalactone stuff is the active ingredient.

When kitty eats, sniffs, or simply rubs against the catnip, the nepetalactone binds to his/her olfactory receptors which in turn activate the area of the brain responsible for emotional behaviour.

The effect of the plant appears to mimic cat pheromones, which might explain why only some cats feel the plant’s effect. They’ve inherited the ‘catnip receptor gene’ so to speak.

Here are some interesting catnip facts:

• Catnip also affects big cats like lions and tigers
• It only affects sexually mature cats
• The effect is genetic (hereditary)
• About 30% of felines don’t carry the gene and aren’t affected

And even though we know cat behaviour is often quirky, catnip seems to ramp up quirkiness to a whole new level.

Why do cats love catnip so much?

For cats who carry the catnip gene, the response to the plant is near immediate. And seems to do a complete makeover on their emotional state.

Catnip appears to activate similar feelings in cats as when they’re on heat – but without the same reproductive drive. So, if you’ve had to spay or neuter your meowser, perhaps this is a safe and fun way to activate their ‘love receptors’.

Cats on catnip display any number of these behaviours:

• Rubbing or headbutting with their head
• Talking
• Rolling around
• Jumping
• Salivating

The effect of this minty herb isn’t long-lasting and will stop after about 10 minutes. Then you’ll have to wait at least half an hour before kitty will respond to it again.

Where to buy catnip in New Zealand

You can buy catnip in various ways, and for some cats, the different forms affect them slightly differently.

• Dry leaves
• Dried crushed leaves
• Fresh potted plant
• Toys

The fresh plant even has some added benefits for your garden; it attracts butterflies and repels pests like flies, mosquitoes, and aphids. And it’s pretty when it flowers!

Can cats overdose on catnip?

Catnip isn’t addictive, but too much can cause an upset stomach. Happily, it’s not likely to happen because cats are good at self-regulating how much they have.

If it does happen, just pack away the catnip.

Apart from catnip, do you know about these other scents that cats like?

Pet insurance for your cat – whether it loves catnip or not

Try giving your cat some catnip shortly before their regular vet visits to calm them down. And if you’re wondering how to keep calm despite the cost of pet health, think cat insurance.

Our three pet insurance plans offer you a range of options to reduce your costs. You can cover the basics from non-routine vet visits, treatment after accident and third-party liability cover through to specifics like dental. Each plan has a different annual benefit limit too.

Did you know you can get one or more months of free pet insurance when you sign up with us online? Click below to get started.