9/20/2014 Catnip (Nepeta cataria) - Everything You Need to Know About Catnip!

| General Cat Articles

http://www.cat-world.com.au/all-about-catnip 1/6
Home
Cat Articles
Bringing Your New Kitten Home
Cat to Cat Introductions
All About Catnip
Cat World Records
Essential Products For New Cat Owners
How to determine the age of a kitten
Hypoallergenic Cats - Do They Exist?
Indoor vs Outdoor Cats
Pregnancy & Toxoplasmosis
More ...
Cat Health
Gingivitis in Cats
Feline Acne
Fever in Cats
Heatstroke in Cats
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
Diarrhea in Cats
Liver Disease in Cats
Pregnancy in Cats
Vomiting in Cats
Weight Loss in Cats
Poisoning in Cats
Cat Care
Adopting a Kitten or Cat
How to Trim Your Cat's Claws
Indoor vs Outdoor Cats
Monthly Health Checks on Your Cat
Preventive Care For Cat Owners
Keeping Cats Off Christmas Trees
More ...
Cat Breed Profiles
Toileting Problems
Cat Urinating On Bed
How to Clean Cat Urine Odour
Cleaning Cat Urine From Carpet
Collecting a Urine Sample from a Cat
Common Causes of Litter Tray Refusal
Feline Spraying
Frequent Urination in Cats
Inappropriate Urination in Cats
Litter Box Training Your Cat
Toilet Training Your Kitten
Choosing A Litter Tray
Cat Breeders & Sitters
Cat Breeders (AUS)
Pet Sitters (Aus)
Boarding Catteries (Aus)
Cat Breeders (NZ)
Pet Sitters (NZ)
Cat Breeders (US)
Cat Breeders (UK)
9/20/2014 Catnip (Nepeta cataria) - Everything You Need to Know About Catnip! | General Cat Articles
http://www.cat-world.com.au/all-about-catnip 2/6
Veterinarians
Directory
Add Your Listing
Forums
General Cat Discussions
Cat Behaviour Discussions
Cats For Sale & Wanted-Australia
Cat World > Cat Articles > All About Catnip

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) - Everything You Need to Know About
Catnip!
Genus: Nepeta
Family: Lamiaceae
Botanical name: Nepeta catara
What is catnip?
Catnip is a perennial herb from the mint family
Labiatae. It has a square, hairy stalk with typically
geen/grey coloured heart shaped leaves that have
scalloped edges. Flowers grow in spikes, reaching 1/2
inch in length. It is best known for its ability to get
cats high.
There are approximately 250 species of flowering
plants in the family Labiatae, some of which include:
Nepeta cataria (catnip or true catnip): White flowers, grows up to 3 feet.
This is the variety most cats enjoy.
Nepeta camphorata (camphor catnip): White flowers with purple dots, grows
up to 18 inches.Camphor scent.
Nepeta parnassica (Greek catnip): White, pale pink flowers, grows up to 18
inches.
Nepeta cataria citriodora (Lemon catnip): White flowers, spotted with
purple, grows up to 3 feet. The leaves have a lemony scent.
Nepeta mussinii (Persian cat mint): Purple flowers. This plant has smallish,
grey/green leaves. It grows up to 15 inches high.
Native to Europe and Asia, catnip became naturalised in North America and
Canada after being introduced by the colonists in the 1600s. The name Nepeta is
46 5 7 1 Google +
9/20/2014 Catnip (Nepeta cataria) - Everything You Need to Know About Catnip! | General Cat Articles
http://www.cat-world.com.au/all-about-catnip 3/6
believed to have come from the town of Nepete in Italy, and Cataria is thought
to have come from the Latin word for cat.
Nepeta cataria is also known by the following names: cataria, catmint, catnep,
catrup, cat's healall, cat's-play, true catnip, cat's wort, catswort, catwort, chi
hsueh tsao, field balm, Garden Nep, Herba Cataria, Herba Catti, Nebada, Nep.
Catnip effects on cats:
The active ingredient that causes a high in cats is
an essential oil called nepetalactone, which can
be found in the leaves and stems of the plant.
Other constituents include acetic acid, alpha and
beta-nepetalactone, citral, nepetalactone,
geraniol, dipentene, citronellol, nerol, butyric
acid, valeric acid and tannins.
Nepetalactone causes a hallucinogenic effect.
Some say the effects are similar to LSD; others
say they are more similar to marijuana (some people claim that smoking catnip
induces a high like that of marijuana, not that we recommend you try it).
Because cats affected by catnip roll on the floorwhich mimics a female in
estrusit has been suggested that the plant acts as an aphrodisiac, but this is
unlikely, as males react the same way as females. What is probable is the cat is
reacting to similar feel-good pheromones released during sexual
courtship/activity. However, non-sexual behaviourincluding playing, chasing,
and huntingcan also be observed.
Around 5066% of cats are affected by catnip, and to differing degrees. Kittens
younger than eight weeks old aren't able to enjoy its effect; in fact, they show
an aversion to it. The response to catnip is mediated through the olfactory
system. When nepetalactone enters the cat's nasal passages, it binds to
olfactory receptors located at the olfactory epithelium. This stimulates sensory
neurons, which trigger neurons in the olfactory bulb to send signals to the brain.
The response to catnip is inherited as an autosomal dominant gene, which
means the gene only needs to be passed on from one parent.
It's not just domesticated cats who enjoy the effects of catnip; many other wild
species of cats also enjoy it. Cats can smell 1 part per billion in the air. Males
and females, fertile or desexedthere appears to be no one group more readily
affected by catnip than another.
A typical response includes sniffing, chewing,
licking, head shaking, and chin, cheek, and body
rubbing (in that order). Additional responses may
include stretching, drooling, jumping, licking,
aggression, and hyperactivity. Sniffing that
produces the high; it is believed that cats eat
catnip to bruise the catnip, thereby releasing more
of the nepetalactone. The high produced will
usually last between five and ten minutes, followed
by a one hour refractory period.
9/20/2014 Catnip (Nepeta cataria) - Everything You Need to Know About Catnip! | General Cat Articles
http://www.cat-world.com.au/all-about-catnip 4/6
Interestingly, researchers say that nepetalactone is about ten times more
effective at repelling mosquitoes than DEET, which is the active ingredient in
most insect repellents. It was also discovered that catnip repels cockroaches!*
Plants aren't alone in containing nepetalactone; some insects and ants also
contain it. It's been speculated that this protects them from other insects.
Rats and mice are also believed to have a strong dislike of catnip and will avoid
places where it grows.
Is catnip harmful to cats?
Catnip is not harmful to your cat. They won't overdose on it. Most cats know
when they've had enough and will refuse any further offers.
How to give catnip to a cat:
There are a number of ways to give catnip to your cat.
You can grow it in a pot and keep it near a window or in their cat enclosure.
They can have a nibble as they see fit.
You can dry it out and sprinkle some on the floor for them.
You can buy toys with catnip in them. Most pet shops sell toy mice filled
with catnip.
How much catnip should I give my cat?
If you are giving him dry catnip, a couple of small pinches will do.
How to grow catnip:
Catnip is fairly easy to grow. You should be able to purchase the plant from your
local garden centre. You can also grow from seed, but the germination rate can
be quite low. It likes light, sandy soil and grows best in full sun. Keep it well
watered until it has become established. As the plant is growing, pinch out the
top growth tips to promote bushiness. If you are planting it in a garden your cat
has access to, make sure there is plenty of adjacent space around the plant so
that other plants wont be damaged if your cat rolls in it. If you have catnip in a
pot for an indoor cat, have several pots growing outdoors so that you can rotate
plants regularly.
Harvesting, drying and storing catnip:
You can take leaves from your catnip plant throughout the year. To dry, place in
the oven on very low heat or hang upside down in a dry, ventilated area, away
from the sun. It should crumble easily when it is ready.
Most pet shops sell catnip toys and/or dried catnip.
When storing catnip, put it in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Does catnip work on humans?
9/20/2014 Catnip (Nepeta cataria) - Everything You Need to Know About Catnip! | General Cat Articles
http://www.cat-world.com.au/all-about-catnip 5/6
Catnip doesn't induce a high in humans like it can in cats. It tends to have a
sedative effect, instead. As we mentioned above, some claim it induces a high
similar to marijuana when smoked.
Culinary uses for catnip:
Catnip is most often drunk as a tea to calm an upset stomach or help with sleep.
Catnip tea recipe:
Place 12 teaspoons of dried catnip into a cup and add hot (not boiling)
water.
Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Flavour with honey or lemon (optional).
It can also be used as an aromatic herb in cooking and salads.
Medicinal uses for catnip:
Catnip is useful for settling an upset stomach. It has been used to treat
headaches, scarlet fever, coughing, insomnia, and smallpox. It can also be used
for cuts, studies show it has a natural healing quality. Crush fresh catnip leaves,
damp them, and apply to your cut.
Some other medicinal uses for catnip include anaesthetic, antibiotic, anti-
rheumatic, antispasmodic, astringent, calmative, diuretic, muscular aches and
pains, rheumatism, chills, cold in the joints, hemorrhoids, toothache.
KEogh, in his General Irish Herbal (1735) wrote of catnip, It provokes urination
and menstruation: it expels the stillborn child; it opens obstructions of the lungs
and the womb, and is good for internal bruises and shortness of breath. Drunk
with salt and honey, it expels worms from the body.
According to The Herb Garden, "The root when chewed is said to make the most
gentle person fierce and quarrelsome." In fact, there is a story about an
executioner who would have to chew on the root of catnip so he could bring
himself to kill.
Pregnant women should avoid catnip, as it can induce uterine contractions.
Acknowledgements:
Catnip flower courtesy of F D Richards Cat rolling in catnip courtesy of "T"eresa
Also see:
Why do cats eat grass? Cat grass
Search Cat-World... Search

9/20/2014 Catnip (Nepeta cataria) - Everything You Need to Know About Catnip! | General Cat Articles
http://www.cat-world.com.au/all-about-catnip 6/6
Copyright 2014 Cat World.com.au.
Advertise Privacy Policy Disclaimer Site Map Contact us About Us
Dog World
Designed by CalWeb Internet Services, Inc..