The Miracle Of Catnip
The Miracle Of Catnip
Did you know that catnip can be a huge asset to modifying your cat's behavior? Most cat owners see catnip as just a nice treat or something that cat toys contain to keep them occupied. They then end up overusing catnip and eventually cats become immune to the effects.
What Makes Catnip So Powerful?
Catnip is made up of a volatile oil that is responsible for creating that 'catnip effect'. The feeling that cats get is the same as an aphrodisiac. It is also very safe for cats and is not addictive at all. Catnip is actually a hallucinogen that minimizes a cat's inhibition. It creates a feeling of euphoria that can last about fifteen minutes.
When cats come into contact with catnip, they will roll in it, lick it, or even devour the herb. Do not leave catnip out all of the time because your cat will eventually become immune to oil, thereby totally eradicating its effects. It is also interesting to note that not all cats have the same response to catnip. Only about 2/3 of the cat population will feel the effects of catnip. The other 1/3 will not feel anything because they do not possess the inherited gene that is needed to respond to to catnip.
The Benefits Of Catnip
Catnip is so powerful that it can make even the laziest of cats jump out of their bed and enter a play session. If you happen to be working on a cat that has not played for some time, then catnip will be a great start. It is an amazing reliever of tension, so it's great to be used after your cats have experienced a tense or stressful situation. An example would be after your cats were car traveling with you, or if you have had company in the house that caused them to become uneasy.
Catnip is also a great tool to use when helping a very timid or frightened cat become more confident. Whether you have purchased a new cat that is timid or have rescued a scared one from the shelter, catnip will almost always do the trick to get them to react in a more vibrant and friendly manner and this is a great time to start a play session for these timid little guys and gals.
A Quick Word Caution
If you are like me, and own more than one cat, then it would be wise to give catnip to a cat that has not had any before away from the other cats. Some males may have a tendency to cross the line from friendly play to dominant aggression while they are under the influence of catnip. So by separating the first-time catnip user from the rest of the gang, you can easily see what his attitude will be in response to the herb. If your cat turns out to react in a friendly manner, then it is safe to allow him to have catnip with the rest of the pack.
