How Does A Cat On Catnip Behave
Its hard to predict how your cat will behave on catnip, though it usually behaves the same way every time. Some cats will become very playful and chase their toys around the house, while others will become extremely affectionate and may roll on their back or rub their face on your legs and furniture. Playful cats can also become aggressive and scratch your hand or attack other cats, so you might need to separate them before providing this treat.
Fyi: Can Humans Get High On Catnip
Related: Can cats get high on marijuana?
ByFrancie Diep | Published Apr 18, 2013 12:15 AM
While cats may feel effects from marijuanano word on whether Sir Harry Paus actually likes the experiencekitty pot does not have a reciprocal effect on humans.
In the late 1960s, some researchers reported catnip gave people a marijuana-like high, but it turned out they had simply mixed up the two plants. As veterinarian Arnold Plotnick of Manhattan Cat Specialists in New York wrote to me in an email, Think about it catnip is cheap and legal. If it had a significant effect on people, everyone would be smoking it.
Meanwhile, cats do feel effects from marijuana, but it may be scary for them. Animals cant understand theyre being intoxicated, therefore it can cause considerable anxiety, says Bruce Kornreich, associate director of the Cornell Feline Health Center in upstate New York.
Its not clear why the active chemical in catnip, nepetalactone, doesnt affect humans, Kornreich says. Pot affects cats because like many mammals, including humans and dogs, cats have receptors in their brains for pots active chemicals, cannabinoids. Cannabinoid receptors make pets susceptible to feeling symptoms when they inhale secondhand smoke or, more commonly, accidentally eat their owners stashes.
He also strongly discourages purposefully exposing a pet to marijuana. Fido and Kitty cant consent to getting high. I dont think its right or fair to make that decision for an animal, he says.
We Would Love The Opportunity Tocare For Your Furry Friends
Alexander Animal Hospital is a full-service animal hospitallocated in Severna Park, Maryland, serving the Severna Park, Pasadena, andArnold Areas. Our goal is educating clients on the needs of their pets andunderstanding the importance of individualized veterinary care in order tostrengthen the human-animal bond between owners and their pets.
We understand you have a choice when decidingon the care for your pets, and we strive to provide you with unparalleledservices including wellness exams, vaccines, lost pet microchip ID, dental care, surgical services, digital radiography, and in-hospital laboratory services and diagnostics.Other highlights of Alexander Animal Hospital are the separate cat and dogwaiting and exam rooms, as well as after-hours on-call emergency services.
Please take a look around our website and thengive us a call at 410-777-8678 to set up an appointment.
Were social! Follow us on,,and for all the latest updates!
Also Check: How To Keep Cats Off Your Car At Night
How Catnip Affects Our Lovely Cats
The most intense catnip encounter starts with the nose. When cats smell nepetalactone or the oil of catnip, it activates specific receptors that detect chemicals called pheromones. Scientists said that it activates feline happy brain receptors.
The scientific routes can be described below:
What Is Catnip How Does It Work
Catnip, also known as catmint, catwort, field balm and to give it its Latin name, Nepeta cataria, is a minty, lemony herb that appeals to almost all members of the cat family, including lions, tigers and panthers. Its a member of the mint family.
One of the key components of catnip is a type of chemical called a terpene , known as nepetalactone, which is found in the stem and leaves of the plant. When cats smell nepetalactone, it stimulates certain brain chemicals related to mood and happiness.
Don’t Miss: Cats Drinking Christmas Tree Water
Do Cats Stay High Forever
No, cats do not stay high forever, the effect of catnip wears off within thirty minutes and causes no harm to the cat.
During this high time its effects include drooling, rolling around, soft purring and jumping around with no apparent reason. Although this behavior looks amazingly hilarious, getting cats high has no health benefit.
If you still would like to experience this funny situation, many catnip-laced toys are available for your cat to enjoy. You can use any of the following products for your cat:
Can Cats Get High From Cannabis
If we humans cant get high on catnip, is it safe to assume cats cant get high on cannabis? Well, no they cant get high on it, not exactly. Cats are finicky and likely will not ingest cannabis. In the off-chance that they do, they are likely to vomit it back up or suffer from a bad case of diarrhea. What they may experience from said indigestion would be in the form of a bad trip. Your cat can actually convulse and have seizures from digesting THC which can lead to biting down on its tongue, brain damage, accidents, or even death. Still think its a good idea?
Cats may be prone to develop marijuana intoxication or cancers of the mouth and lymph nodes because of second-hand exposure. More can be read on the NCBI study
Recommended Reading: Is Blue Buffalo Wet Food Good For Cats
Catnip Highs Vs Human Drug Highs
While our ability to understand the subjective experience of cats is limited, we do have some sense of how the plant affects people. There was a brief period in the 1960s when the cheaper and more readily available catnip was mixed with tobacco or marijuana and smoked.
After smoking catnip, people reported having visual and auditory hallucinations and feeling happy, contented, and intoxicated, similar to feelings induced by marijuana.
Of course, cats are not small people. We cannot assume that whats true for us holds true for cats. Drugs that work in humans are often unsafe or ineffective in pets. For example, over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen are relatively safe in people but can be lethal for cats. And with some exceptions, antihistamines are often ineffective in controlling allergies for pets.
Humans Have Used Catnip Too
Catnip doesn’t have the same sort of impact on us, because our olfactory systems and brains are differently structured. But it may have some subtler effects, and people have been using it for a long time.
As far back as the 1600s, Europeans used the plantas a mild sedative, brewing tea with its leaves, making juice from them, and even smoking or chewing them. At various times, the plant was believed to cure colic in infants and excessive flatulence, hives, and toothaches in adult.
In the 1960s, catnip was occasionally used as a substitute for marijuana, with some users claiming it caused hallucinations and euphoria when smoked by humans. Eventually, though, scientists determined this was not the case.
It does, however, have one positive effect. Back in the 1960s, scientists discovered that catnip’s active chemical acts as a mosquito repellant one that’s actually more powerful than DEET, though it wears off more quickly. In fact, if you want a less harsh alternative to DEET, catnip-based mosquito repellants are still available.
Read Also: Lovecraft Cat’s Name
Does Catnip Really Make Cats ‘high’
They may look blissful and euphoric, but what’s really happening?
Offer a pinch of catnip or a catnip-filled toy to your pet feline, and her response might be dramatic … and silly. She may roll on her back, dart wildly around, drool, lick the catnip and rub it on her face and body, or flop over and lie there purring.
Her actions seem goofy and comical, and somewhat resemble the uncoordinated and gleeful behavior of someone who’s had a little too much to drink or is pleasantly under the influence of recreational drugs.
But is that what’s happening here? Does catnip make cats high?
Catnip belongs to the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes aromatic herbs such as rosemary, sage, oregano and basil. The compound that plays the biggest role in the so-called catnip effect in domestic cats is produced in specialized glands in catnip’s leaves and flowers and is called nepetalactone, said Jim Simon, a professor of plant biology and co-director of the Center for Sensory Sciences and Innovation at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
“When you buy catmint or catnip from a nursery, they’re usually hybrids sold for ornamental purpose they usually don’t attract cats because they have very little nepetalactone,” Simon told Live Science.
Where Did Catnip Come From
Nepeta cataria, the scientific name for catnip, is an herb in the mint family. It can grow up to three feet high. Indigenous to Europe, it was transplanted to North America during European settlement. But catnip actually isnt the only herb known to get cats to boogie. A study suggests that valerian root, silver vine, and Tatarian honeysuckle can also have a similar effect on cats behavior to catnip. These alternative herbs are safe, but here are 12 dangerous mistakes cat owners should never make.
You May Like: Who Did Phoebe Cates Marry
Here’s Why The Herb Drives Cats Crazy
No matter how much catnip you snort, you’ll never look like this.
Kelly Slivka April 6, 2012
Sometimes I feel like my cats do more drugs than anyone I know.
Well, one drug specifically Nepeta cataria, also known as catnip. If either of my cats get a whiff of the stuff from the Tupperware thats hidden beneath my kitchen sink, theyll do their best to shred into my secret stash, scattering green, minty scraps everywhere. To celebrate this victory, theyll wriggle around in their ill-gained booty, purring and squishing their tiny fuzzy faces into whatever bits of catnip they stole.
Frankly, Im jealous. No matter what Ive tried, catnip never seems to do anything for me. In my latest attempt, I tried brewing tea out of the stuff. It tasted somewhat minty, smelled like compost, and didnt give me the slightest buzz.
So what gives? Whats in nip that turns felines into fuzzy little stoners, and why does it do nothing for their human pals?
Scientists are still pinning down the exact mechanics behind a catnip high, but we know the basics. The secret lies inside the leaves and stems of catnip plants, which are covered in tiny bulbs filled with an oil called nepetalactone .
We might not have brains that are wired for catnip, but our fuzzy friends sure do. Think about that the next time you catch a whiff of that green stuff in your local pet store just dont try to make tea with it. Trust me on that one.
Filed To
Get Your Cat High: Here Are 3 Awesome Truth About Catnip
11.13.2019byLily S. Clark //
Catnip, catwort, bauble, catmint, or field balm. Well, it doesnt really matter regardless of what you call it, but catnip has been the star of the month for being talked about by cat owners across the US. It is so interesting that catnip seems to make our cat gettin high and you might wanna know whats actually happening.
Well, Ive been giving Haze some catnip time about a month and she is definitely happy about it. I only give her 3 to 5 minutes catnip time per week cause I dont want her to overdose. However, in this article, we will discuss how much time our cat needs catnip and if you have a catnip experience with your cat, please tell us below!
Before you give your cat catnip, you must pay attention to these things below.
Don’t Miss: Are Arrowhead Plants Poisonous To Cats
Catnip Effects On Cats
The active ingredient in catnip is an essential oil called nepetalactone . Exactly how this chemical affects the wiring of your cats brain isnt clear, but it is noted to bind to receptors inside a cats nose, which then stimulate the sensory neurons leading to a cats brain. So, what exactly does catnip do to cats? Its thought to mimic feline pheromones, which cause a euphoric reaction.
The blissful high of catnip doesnt last very long, oftentimes less than 30 minutes. Your cat might get nutty for about ten or fifteen minutes and then wander away for a nap. Once a cat has partaken of the catnip, it takes a couple of hours before they can be affected by it again.
Catnip can make cats meow, purr, growl, roll on the ground, zip about, and even drool. It can also have a mild hallucinatory effect, which helps explain why a kitty on catnip might bat at the air or dodge something that isnt there. Sniffing catnip has more of a stimulant effect, whereas eating it is more likely to make a cat all sorts of relaxed and sleepy.
Some cats can react to catnip with mild aggression, such as low growling or swatting. If you have more than one cat in the house, you should consider giving it to only one cat at a time to avoid potential fights and definitely keep an eye on them during their trip.
How Long Does It Last
Catnips effects have a ticking clockabout five to 30 minutes, Rotman says. This is all dependent on the cat because only two-thirds of adult cats are affected by catnip, according to a study. About 50 percent of cats seem to be affected by catnip, and the behavior that results varies widely between individuals, Rotman says. is an inherited sensitivity and it doesnt show up immediately. Instead, it will take a few months since young kittens are not affected. If youre interested in this little herb, you can make your own catnip crackers.
Don’t Miss: Who Lives Longer Cats Or Dogs
Can Catnip Be Helpful
Catnip can definitely come in handy in certain circumstances. For instance, it can be used to get an older feline or couch potato kind of cat moving. All cats need a daily dose of exercise to help keep their weight on track and avoid health problems, like joint pain and diabetes.
I know it works for me. Now that Zoe is in her twilight years, it can be tough to get her to do much besides doze in the warmth of a sunbeam. But when I get out her favorite catnip toy, shes all in and gets some of the exercise she needs to stay healthy.
Catnip can also be helpful with behavioral issues. For instance, if your cat is scratching the furniture but not going near the scratching posts and mats youve set out, sprinkle a little catnip on them. That should get their attention. You can use this same trick with a new cozy pet bed that your cat doesnt seem to have any interest in trying out.
In addition, you can offer your cat a little fresh catnip to nosh on before a stressful event. Working as a mild sedative, it can chill out your cat and make car trips, visits to the veterinarian, and other anxiety-provoking activities easier for you both.
What Do You Think Catnip Exactly Is
Catnip is the common name for some 250-odd varieties of Nepeta, a genus that belongs to the Lamiaceae family of mints and it has a leafy green look. Not every batch of catnip smells exactly the same, but it smells like a grassy mint.
The members of the Nepeta family are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Moreover, there is an abundance of biodiversity in the Mediterranean region and catnip can now be found throughout North America as well. The scientific name is Nepeta cataria, also called catmint or catswort. Nepeta cataria is also called True Catnip, as is Catmint and Field Balm. The organism is common in many countries, including the United States.
Catnip grows two to three feet tall and has solid stems with heart-shaped leaves. The tips of the stems of the plant produce black, green, pink or purple flowers. The leaves and stems of the catnip plant contain an oil called nepetalactone. Nepetalactone, the essential oil in catnip, can turn even the laziest couch potato into a crazy furball.
Read Also: How To Train Kitten Not To Bite
What Exactly Is Catnip
Catnip, or nepeta cataria, is an herbaceous perennial. Dried catnip resembles oregano but is actually a member of the mint family. Native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, it was imported to North America and now grows like a wild weed in every region. It can even grow to be two or three feet high!
Fresh catnip has stems with heart-shaped leaves and can sprout small white, blue, pink, or lavender blooms. It does well in full sunlight and grows rather easily.
That means even people like me without a green thumb can probably manage it. You can clip the leaves and hang them to dry in a dark space to have your own stash of catnip on hand. Store it in a baggie in the fridge so it stays potent longer.
Just be sure to keep any catnip plants out of paws reach. While a little nibbling on the leaves probably wont harm your cat, the plant might not fair so well. Your cat could also knock the plant over and get hurt or dig around in the dirt and make a big mess that youll be left to clean up.
Can Cats Overdose On Catnip
Too much catnip can cause health problems in cats, such as vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, or having trouble walking. Use just a little at a time, and you can always discuss the correct amount for your cat with your veterinarian.
Fresh catnip is more potent than the dried form, so you wont need to give your cat as much of it. It is also recommended to avoid highly concentrated catnip oils due to their potency.
Read Also: Cat With Broken Tail