Just wondering...

What exactly is Catnip ?

A plant.. or Herb
What? I said exactly!

Catnip is a plant from the Mint Family. 

Common names:
Catnip, Catnep, Catmint, Catrup, Catswort

Scientific name:               

Nepeta Cataria

Explanation of scientific name:       

Nepeta  - from Nepete, a city in Etruria, which was an ancient country in central Italy now forming parts of Tuscany and Umbria.
Cataria  - an old generic name for Catnip.  The name Cataria is from the Latin “catari”, meaning of a cat.

• What intrigues the meows is not the leaf, not the root..not even the bud.It's the oil. 
• A component of the oil called Nepetalactone.

Chemical Name -  Nepetalactone, (5,6,7,7a-Tetrahydro-4, 7-dimethylcyclopenta[C] pyran-1-(4aH)-one)

Chemical Formula - C10H14O2



Its chemical structure is similar to that of the valepotriates derived from the herb valerian, which is a mild central nervous system sedative (or stimulant to some persons).

• Not all kitties like Catnip.. though 70 to 90 % of them do. 

The % seems to vary based on who is stating the claim.. it seems to go as low as 50%

• Length of kitty high is about 5 to 15 minutes 

- Did not know that. 

• Also they can not get a reaction for up to an hour or more after the initial high. 

- Did not know that!

•  Some Cats react badly to Catnip turning aggressive

-Absolutely knew that..Sebby!! 
Oddly enough this does not happen with every brand of catnip. I have found one brand that I stick to that he does not get aggressive on. 
-Cosmic Catnip
Why? no idea! 

But considering there are types of weed that give you different reactions, or a different buzz...I can possibly see a similarity.

• Some companies or people selling the catnip will 'cut' it with straw or some other filler. 

If you wondered why Fluffy, who adores catnip is turning its nose up at the toy you just got...you basically bought the cheap stuff and kitty knows. 

• Catnip is widely available and not overly expensive. 

-You can grow it yourself
-You can buy it at the Dollar Store... though you may be wasting your money. 
-For a little but more  you can buy the brand name stuff that tends to be of a higher quality. 
 

For me it has to pass the Sebby test. 
The Sebby test is not fun.
He attacks me, or the other cats, but generally me because I am trying to save the other cats. 

This goes for catnip toys as well. 

Sebby makes me buy the good stuff. 
Since I fear him... I get the good stuff. 

• From what I am reading it seems as though cats react to catnip as if they were in heat.. without the sexual drive. 

I wonder if the human version of that would be the giddy dumbass feeling you get when you see your crush? ( or current partner if you are not sick of them)
Slightly euphoric with a sprinkle of complete moron. 
The movie version of course.. where you are so captivated by the person that you walk into a door or post. 

• They also tend to awaken their playful side and arouse their hunting instincts.

 -My guys tend to 'kill' their toys.
If I use loose catnip they are more likely to roll in it and eat it. 

The Good Stuff

 

They sell catnip in other various forms such as:

Organic Buds

Etsy is a wonderful site to find organic everything!

Basically it means that they have not added anything to it such as any sort if chemical spray or pest deterrent during cultivation.

At least that is my theory. 

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Infused in Bags

Scratch & Sniff

I think these last 2 items are super ideas. 

I have yet to try them... but it is on my to do list. 

Well it's on my cats to do list.

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Stuffed Toys

Yeowww! is a brand that goes over well with the kitties. 

I have yet to Sebby test it.

Having some of the foster cats be in a different room allows for usage of any nip I choose. 

Also the adoptable kitties at Pet Valu tend to get a variety of toys and they enjoy the Yeowww!

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Sprays

 

 

 My thoughts on the sprays are as follow

Maybe, sometimes & at least it does not leave a mess. 

It works, but not like the original catnip. 

It is great for spraying on scratching posts to peak a cats interest.

I just do not tend to see the same crazy fun reaction.

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They also sell catnip in various other formats like bubbles, crinkle papers, wands, compacted balls...anything you can think of basically...

I have found my answer....

And the answer is yes.

Actually, the answer is - We humans like to think of catnip as weed for cats. 

But

NEVER GIVE ACTUAL WEED TO CATS

NO POT FOR KITTY

NO MARIJUANA FOR THE MEOWS

It is TOXIC

It has a toxicity level of moderate to severe

 Dogs and cats can be poisoned by marijuana from second hand smoke exposure, or from direct ingestion of marijuana or baked foods (e.g., pot brownies, pot butter, etc.) laced with THC. 

Clinical signs can be seen within 3 hours, and include severe depression, walking as if drunk, lethargy, coma, low heart rate, low blood pressure, respiratory depression, dilated pupils, hyperactivity, vocalization and seizures. Vomiting is often seen with dogs despite the “anti-emetic” (anti-vomiting) qualities of THC. 

Pet Poison Helpline

Get your pet to a vet

If you, yourself are high then call a friend to get your pet to the vet.

Don't be stupid.