CATNIP 100% Natural Premium Top Quality Cat Treat

Catnip, or Nepeta cataria, is a common herb that is a member of the mint family. It’s a plant that’s easy to grow in North America and has light-green foliage with lavender flowers.

Catnip leaves have actually been used to make tea, and the flowers are said to relieve coughs. It’s also a main ingredient in some natural bug sprays. 

What Does Catnip Do to a Cat?

Cats have an extra scent organ called the vomeronasal gland in the roof of their mouth. This special pathway allows scents that are collected in the nose and mouth to be carried to the brain (and it’s why cats make a stinky face when they smell certain odors).

Nepetalactone is an oil found in the catnip plant’s leaves, and it can cause behavioral changes in cats. For a cat to be exposed to this substance, they have to smell the catnip.

So, why do cats like catnip? Catnip mimics feline sex hormones, so cats enjoying this substance will often display behaviors similar to a female cat in heat (although both male and female cats can experience the effects of catnip).

These behaviors can include overt signs of affection, relaxation, and happiness. Other cats will display active behaviors, such as playfulness or sometimes even aggression.

How To Use Catnip

Catnip is available in different forms, including:

Fresh catnip (growing your own catnip plant)

Dried catnip

Catnip sprays or bubbles

Toys stuffed with dried catnip

Catnip sprays are a good option for cats that get an upset stomach from ingesting the plant. You can spray your cat’s favorite toy, cat tree, or scratcher. You can also sprinkle dried catnip on your cat furniture or even roll a toy in it.