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What is Catnip and How Does It Affect Your Cat or Kitten?
by Toe Beans Shop Online Pets Supplies | Toe BeanAs a pet owner, you’re probably familiar with the often mesmerizing reaction that many cats have to catnip. Catnip seems to be adored across the feline kingdom with big and small cats falling head over heels for this plant’s allure.
Some cat owners use catnip to avoid cat boredom, give it as a treat to train their cat, or to make their cat happy and active. So, what is it about catnip that sends your cat to his magical place?
What is Catnip?
Catnip for cats, which is officially known as nepeta cataria, is a herb from the mint family. Whilst catnip contains multiple aromatic oils, the active organic compound that is responsible for the effect we see in cats is called nepetalactone. When cats smell nepetalactone, it stimulates certain brain chemicals related to mood and happiness.
How Does It Affect Your Cat?
Once your cat smells catnip, they may begin to rub, kick, chew and roll in it to help release the oil trapped in the plant's leaves. When it enters a cat's nose, it binds to receptors on the sensory neurons lining the nasal cavity which, in turn, activate different areas of the brain that control emotion and behavior. The effects of catnip are short-lived, usually lasting 10 to 15 minutes.
The response to it differs based on the dosage and the medium of consumption. Sniffing catnip has more of a stimulant effect, whereas eating it is more likely to make a cat all sorts of relaxed and sleepy.
Wrap Up
There are lots of cat toys that use catnip as a way to entice a cat to play. Depending on how your cat reacts to catnip, it can be used to add enrichment and encourage active play sessions. Indoor cats can benefit from regular enrichment activities to help encourage them to stay physically and mentally active. If you do decide to use catnip, make sure you find the best quality.
Toe Beans has an attractive collection of the best catnip toys and treats in 2022 you can buy for your cats and make them happy!
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Shop Online Pets Supplies | Toe Bean
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Created on Feb 2nd 2022 12:59. Viewed 194 times.
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