Catnip Crazies--Are They Healthy for Your Cat?
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Pet Column for the week of January 11, 1999
Office of Public Engagement
2001 S. Lincoln Ave.
Urbana, Illinois 61802
Phone: 217/333-2907
By Sarah Probst
Information Specialist
University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine
"Has your cat ever been around catnip?" my roommate and veterinary school classmate
Kristi McCullough asked me.
"Just once and she wasn't too interested," I answered.
"Watch this." Kristi got out a plastic bag with dried catnip leaves inside. Her cat, Shadee,
skidded around the corner and into the kitchen. My cat, Alice, followed more slowly,
taking prim little steps. Shadee flung himself at Kristi's feet begging with intense meows. The
dog woke from her afternoon slumber and peeked tentatively around the corner.
Kristi sprinkled some of the catnip on the floor; Shadee dove to the pile. He first sniffed the
leaves, then licked and chewed them. He proceeded to rub his chin and cheeks into the pile
and, as if this was not enough exposure, he began rolling and rubbing his entire body in the
scattered leaves. Alice, watching his theatricals, strolled over and placidly sniffed the catnip
with her most prudish "I'm-too-beautiful" demeanor. She reposed next to the wallowing,
snuffling Shadee with a serene glazed look, occasionally sniffing or touching her tongue to
the catnip.
"Cats can be divided into three categories of response to catnip," says Dr. Allan Paul, small
animal Extension veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in
Urbana. "There are total responders, partial responders, and nonresponders. About 70
percent of domestic cats show at least some response, and this tendency is transmitted
genetically to offspring." Catnip, a member of the mint family, is a harmless herb that has a
stimulatory response in all families of cats, including lions and tigers.
Shadee is an example of a total responder. Along with sniffing, licking, chewing, chin- and
cheek-rubbing, and rolling and rubbing, responses of total responders may include digging,
pawing, scratching, salivating, washing, grooming, and vocalizing. Alice is a partial
responder. Like most partial responders, Alice was attracted to the herb but did not enter
into the more extreme excitatory phases.
The response to catnip lasts about 5 to 15 minutes and is followed by an hour when the cat
cannot respond to the plant. Although sniffing catnip is an enjoyable experience for cats,
addiction is not a concern. Eating catnip is not a problem either. "The animal's response is a
reaction to smell stimulation and not due to actual ingestion of the plant," Dr. Paul explains.
Kittens under 6 weeks of age, for some reason, tend to avoid the plant and are not
attracted until 3 months of age. Health status doesn't keep a cat from responding to catnip,
but a stressed cat may not have a reaction. Although the response to catnip can resemble
behavior of a cat in heat, there is no evidence that catnip is related to sex or reproduction.
"Male and female cats are equally susceptible," adds Dr. Paul.
Along with being a curious and entertaining phenomenon, cats' attraction to catnip can be
useful in behavior modification. For example, application of catnip spray or crushed leaves
to a scratching post could make the post a more attractive victim than your new La-Z-Boy.
Toys laced with catnip can be used to encourage exercise in the heftier cat.
You can enjoy watching your cat's predictable, unlearned sequence of behaviors from
exposure to catnip as much as your cat enjoys the herb ... especially when you know
catnip's effect is harmless.
For more information about feline health, contact your local veterinarian.