| Your cat, your loving and lovable family | | | | When a cat finds catnip it will usually |
| pet is not usually what you would call a | | | | sniff at it, rub up against it, lick it |
| bundle of energy. In fact she spends a | | | | and nibble at it. It is the sniffing at |
| good deal of the day taking a siesta. | | | | it that gets the reaction, it is thought |
| When she moves she does so at her own | | | | that cats nibble and rub against the |
| pace and in her own time. | | | | catnip to bruise it and thereby cause |
| But should your sedate kitty have a | | | | more of the nepetalactone oil to be |
| whiff of catnip . . . well, wop bop a | | | | released. Strangely, if a cat actually |
| lula blim bam boom! The party is on | | | | eats the catnip it will likely act as a |
| baby. Suddenly your cat is rollicking | | | | sedative as opposed to giving the kitty |
| and rolling around, frisky, excited and | | | | a high. |
| running about as if the clock had been | | | | So, is catnip dangerous for your kitty? |
| turned back and she is a kitten once | | | | After all, the response that some |
| again. | | | | felines have to catnip is not unlike the |
| Then as little as two, but up to fifteen | | | | response that some humans have to stuff |
| minutes later your cat is back to her | | | | that they shouldn't smoke. |
| slothful, normal self, the catnip effect | | | | Although it said that catnip is |
| completely worn off. | | | | bio-chemically related to cannabis cats |
| What causes the catnip effect, why do | | | | will come to no harm by enjoying it and |
| cats react in to it in that way? | | | | will not become dependent. The catnip |
| First, not all cats do react to catnip. | | | | effect very seldom lasts longer than 15 |
| It is estimated that one third to half | | | | minutes maximum until the cat loses |
| of the domestic cat population is | | | | interest. After this a cat will not |
| unaffected by the herb. The reaction to | | | | react again for a minimum of one hour. |
| catnip is inherited. Kittens that have | | | | Not all cats react to the herb in |
| only one parent that reacts have a one | | | | exactly the same way though. The typical |
| in two chance of reacting themselves, | | | | response is an uninhibited friskiness |
| and kittens that have parents that both | | | | and silliness, but a few cats, usually |
| react have a three in four chance. | | | | male, become aggressive rather than |
| Kittens under three to four months old | | | | frisky. |
| do not react to catnip and with older | | | | Catnip has long been thought safe for |
| cats the effect is considerably | | | | humans. It has been prescribed by |
| lessened. | | | | herbalists to treat nervousness, stomach |
| Also, if a cat that would normally have | | | | complaints, flatulence, and even |
| a reaction to catnip is in a threatening | | | | smallpox! Its leaves have been chewed to |
| situation, or is outside of its usual | | | | relieve toothache and it has been drunk |
| surroundings, it may not respond to the | | | | as a tea as a cough remedy. |
| catnip. | | | | Catnip is not dangerous for cats rather |
| Anyway, as to what causes the catnip | | | | it is a very effective kitty treat for |
| effect, the experts do know that | | | | some cats, those that are susceptible to |
| nepetalactone, an oil found in catnip | | | | it, to enjoy. |
| causes cats that are sensitive to it to | | | | ************ |
| go ga-ga. What they don't know is why | | | | You are welcome to use this article on |
| certain cats react that way. | | | | your cat or pet related web site or in |
| It's not just the domestic cat that can | | | | your pet ezine. You may make minor |
| experience the catnip effect. Big cats | | | | formatting changes but the article must |
| too can react to it; lions, leopards, | | | | be kept intact including this resource |
| cheetahs and pumas can get catnip high | | | | box, and keep all links as hyperlinks. |
| but interestingly not tigers. | | | | Thank you. |